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South Africa’s captain, Graeme Smith, has brushed over his team’s poor start to their tour of India, and insists that their preparations for Saturday’s first Test at Kanpur are coming on fine

Wisden Cricinfo staff22-Apr-2019

South Africa’s new wicketkeeper, Thami Tsolekile: one of four new caps in the squad© Getty Images
South Africa’s captain, Graeme Smith, has brushed over his team’s poor start to their tour of India, and insists that their preparations for Saturday’s first Test at Kanpur are coming on fine.South Africa did not enjoy the ideal warm-up game, against an Indian Board President’s XI at Jaipur, as they came within two wickets of defeat. It was left to Smith and an injured Jacques Kallis to bat out for the draw, but afterwards, Smith was quick to focus on the positives.”I wouldn’t say that we had a disappointing start,” he told AFP after the match, “as we declared our first innings with six wickets down and then tried our batting around in the second innings. In fact, I thought the Indian team did not play positively enough, or else we would have had a result in the match.”It was nonetheless an important lesson in how to pace a performance on the subcontinent, and Smith added that patience would be the key for his side in the coming weeks. “You can’t get runs at a rate like in Australia or South Africa,” he said. “One has to come to terms with this fact and try to adjust to the conditions.””We have a lot of guys who are talented,” added Smith. “They may not have records like [Sachin] Tendulkar but they have potential and need to show it in the Tests. The advantage of having young guys in the team is that they are not scared of anything. The idea is to try to adjust fast, enjoy the game and make the most of opportunities that come your way.”South Africa were famously victorious in their last series in India in 1999-2000, although it is a much less experienced squad this time around. Veterans such as Jonty Rhodes, Allan Donald and Gary Kirsten are long gone, while Herschelle Gibbs and Nicky Boje have both opted to stay at home because of the ongoing investigation into match-fixing.”Our players have studied the conditions and have worked hard in the nets,” added Smith. “We are in the process of cementing ideas and the way we plan to play, but will surely have to drive harder in the Tests.”

Manchester United are reportedly looking to revamp their defence at the end of the season and have identified a Bundesliga giant as one of their targets…

Manchester United's search for a new centre-back

According to ESPN, the Red Devils have placed Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt as one of three players they could look to sign in the summer.

The report claims that Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite and Nice's Jean-Claire Todibo are also on the list as the club eyes up a possible move for one, or multiple, of them.

Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are both out of contract at the end of the season and the outlet reports that they would be open to cashing in on Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof if 'significant' offers come in for them.

Erik ten Hag could secure a big upgrade on Maguire as he eyes a swoop to sign de Ligt from Bayern ahead of the 2023/24 campaign to bolster his defence.

Maguire's form over the past 365 days

The England international has not been able to establish himself as a regular starter over a prolonged period of time at United since the start of last season.

He only started eight matches in the Premier League throughout the 2022/23 campaign and is currently on nine starts in the top-flight this term.

23/24 Premier League

Harry Maguire (via Sofascore)

Appearances

11

Pass accuracy

83%

Tackles per game

0.9

Interceptions per game

1.1

Ground duel success rate

43%

Over the last 365 days, Maguire has averaged 2.32 tackles and interceptions combined and 3.96 aerial battles won per 90 respectively for the club.

The right-footed machine is a stopper, first and foremost, but does also rank within the top 35% of centre-backs in the Men's Top Five Leagues and European competitions for progressive passes (3.80) per 90 in that time, albeit that comes with a pass success rate of 83.3% and that places him in the bottom 35% of his positional peers.

The stats that show why de Ligt could be an upgrade on Maguire

Ten Hag could sign an upgrade on Maguire in a swoop to snap up de Ligt, who is a right-footed stopper – like the English titan – with more quality in possession.

The £265k-per-week colossus has averaged 1.98 tackles and interceptions combined and 3.48 aerial battles won per 90 respectively over the last 365 days of action for Bayern.

This suggests that the Netherlands international, who has won 58% of his ground duels in the Bundesliga this season, offers a similar level of quality to Maguire when it comes to cutting out opposition attacks and dominating forwards in the air.

De Ligt, who was once hailed by the late Mino Raiola as an "oil tanker" who cannot be stopped, would be an upgrade on the former Leicester when it comes to progressing the play with the ball, though.

The 24-year-old titan has averaged an impressive 5.55 progressive passes per 90 and ranks within the top 8% of his positional peers across the Men's Big Five Leagues and European competitions over the last 365 days.

He also ranks within the top 8% for pass success rate at 91.3% for the German champions, which shows that the talented enforcer is incredibly efficient in possession.

Therefore, de Ligt could offer far more than Maguire on the ball as he is able to progress play with his passes more frequently despite enjoying a significantly better success rate.

This could improve United's build-up play by allowing them to play out from the back more effectively to find the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount, among others, in dangerous positions rather than losing the ball through poor passing.

أصدر نادي ريال مدريد بيانًا رسميًا للكشف عن التشخيص النهائي لإصابة لاعب الفريق الأول لكرة القدم، إبراهيم دياز، خلال مباراة ريال سوسيداد في الدوري الإسباني.

وتعرض دياز لإصابة قوية أجبرته على مغادرة ملعب “أنويتا” يوم أمس، السبت، في الدقيقة 25 وشارك بدلًا منه، رودريجو جوس.

اقرأ أيضًا.. أسطورة ريال مدريد ينتقد فينيسيوس: يشبه من يرمي الحجارة على سطح المنزل

A Brahim Díaz se le ha diagnosticado una lesión en el abductor largo de la pierna derecha. Estará alrededor de 3 meses de baja. — Arancha Rodríguez (@AranchaMOBILE) September 15, 2024

وخضع المغربي الدولي لفحوصات طبية شاملة خلال الساعات القليلة الماضية والتي أظهرت إصابة اللاعب في العضلة الضامة من الفخذ الأيمن.

وبحسب إذاعة “كادينا كوبيه” الإسبانية أن اللاعب مدة غيابه ستكون صادمة للغاية وستستمر حتى 3 أشهر مقبلة وبالتالي يبدو وأن عامه قد انتهى تمامًا مع ريال مدريد.

وكان إبراهيم دياز خلال الموسم الحالي قد لعب 6 مباريات مع ريال مدريد ولكن كبديل بإجمالي دقائق 126 دقيقة وسجل هدفًا وصنع آخر.

MatériaMais Notícias

Marcelo Chamusca prepara uma equipe diferente para a sua estreia como treinador do Botafogo, nesta quarta-feira, diante do Boavista, às 18h, no Estádio Nilton Santos, pela 1ª rodada do Campeonato Carioca. Envolvido em conversas com outros clubes, Bruno Nazário treinou normalmente e deve ser titular.

Além do meio-campista, o Alvinegro terá o retorno de Kanu e Caio Alexandre, que não participaram das últimas rodadas do Campeonato Brasileiro. A dupla treinou e estará à disposição de Chamusca.

O provável Botafogo para enfrentar o Boavista é: Diego Loureiro; Kevin, Marcelo Benevenuto, Kanu, Hugo; José Welison, Caio Alexandre; Warley, Bruno Nazário, Ênio; Matheus Babi.

José Welison se recuperou de uma entorse no tornozelo esquerdo, treinou normalmente durante a semana e foi liberado para jogar. Guilherme Santos também faz atividades com bola, mas Hugo deve continuar no onze inicial.

RelacionadasBotafogoPedido de Ceni no São Paulo, tático e com o aval de Chamusca: conheça Marcinho, reforço do BotafogoBotafogo02/03/2021BotafogoMatheus Frizzo chega ao Rio e vai ao Nilton Santos para realizar exames e assinar com o BotafogoBotafogo02/03/2021BotafogoBotafogo negocia com Marcinho, ex-Cuiabá e São Paulo, para 2021Botafogo02/03/2021

Somerset battle back on hard-fought opening day but visitors take the honours

ECB Reporters Network14-May-2019

Centuries from Rory Burns and Dean Elgar put Surrey in a strong position before a determined Somerset fightback on the opening day of the Specsavers County Championship match at Taunton.Having won the toss on a day of unbroken sunshine, the visitors ran up 330 for 6, with skipper Burns contributing 107 and Elgar making 103 against one of his former clubs.Surrey were 265 for 2 at one stage, but then lost four wickets for 30 runs as Lewis Gregory struck twice on his way to figures of 3 for 44 from 17 overs at the River End.Ryan Patel (25 not out) and Rikki Clarke (28 not out) steadied the ship and by the close Surrey had regained momentum going into day two.Burns took the obvious decision to bat first on what appeared a true batting pitch under cloudless skies and was rewarded when he and Mark Stoneman put together an opening stand of 96 from 30.3 overs.They were parted just before lunch when Stoneman, who had moved to his half-century off 105 balls, with six fours, edged a defensive shot off Jack Brooks through to wicketkeeper Steve Davies and departed for 50.Shortly after the interval it was 99 for 2 as Scott Borthwick was caught at third slip by Craig Overton, driving at a delivery from Gregory.With the total 108, Burns, on 42, survived a leg-side chance to Davies off Gregory. It proved an expensive miss as the Surrey captain moved to fifty from 109 balls, with five fours.Elgar was more fluent, reaching his fifty off 71 deliveries and by tea the third-wicket partnership was worth 118, Surrey having progressed to 217 for 2.Burns had been given another life on 84 when Azhar Ali spilled a comfortable catch at deep square off Brooks. The final session saw the opener reach three figures with a leg glance for two off Craig Overton.But Somerset stuck to their task well. When Burns finally fell to a top-edged pull shot that saw him caught at mid-on off Tim Groenewald, having faced 188 balls and hit 10 fours, the hosts sensed an opening.It was 268 for 4 when Ben Foakes was caught behind for 3 off a fine delivery from Somerset captain Tom Abell, who delayed taking the new ball as the old one was swinging.That proved sound thinking as Elgar, who cut Abell for four to reach a 165-ball ton, was pinned lbw by a toe-crushing yorker from Gregory.Will Jacks fell without scoring, another leg-before victim for Gregory, and suddenly Somerset were on top for the first time.They took the second new ball at the start of the 90th over with the score 314 for six, but failed to make another breakthrough against a confident Patel and Clarke.

MatériaMais NotíciasRelacionadasPalmeirasEm busca de reforços, Palmeiras envia proposta por Ademir, do América MineiroPalmeiras20/03/2021PalmeirasCrias da Academia: Companheiro de Gabriel Veron no sub-17, Daniel Melo deixa o PalmeirasPalmeiras20/03/2021PalmeirasCom retorno de titulares, Palmeiras treina na Academia de FutebolPalmeiras20/03/2021

تحدث بيب جوارديولا مدرب مانشستر سيتي قبل مواجهة آرسنال في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز، وقدّم تحديثات حول حالة كيفين دي بروين.

ويستقبل مانشستر سيتي نظيره آرسنال على ملعب “الاتحاد” يوم الأحد في الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وقال جوارديولا عن التقارير التي تفيد بأن لاعب الوسط كيفين دي بروين قد يغيب عن مباراة الأحد بسبب مشكلة بسيطة في الفخذ: “إنه يشعر بتحسن قليل اليوم، سنتدرب غدًا وسنرى، قد يشارك”.

وعن آرسنال، أفاد: “كانت دائمًا مباراة متقاربة، في السنوات القليلة الماضية، أعتقد أننا فريق جيد لكنهم جيدون أيضًا، لقد فعلوا الكثير من الأشياء الجيدة، إنهم فريق متكامل، ولهذا السبب كانوا أكبر منافسينا في الموسمين الماضيين”.

وواصل: “في هذه المرحلة المبكرة من الموسم، لا يوجد شيء أكثر من المزاج السائد خلال المباريات القليلة الأخيرة (هو على المحك) من حيث جدول الترتيب، هذا ليس مهمًا حقًا، سيكون مهمًا عندما نذهب إلى لندن في النصف الثاني من الموسم”.

وعن آرسنال، أضاف جوارديولا: “يصبح الفريق أقوى في كل موسم، ويزداد عمق الفريق، كل موسم يكون أفضل وأفضل”.

اقرأ أيضًا | أرتيتا: مانشستر سيتي حصل على ميزة إضافية قبل مواجهتنا.. وغياب دي بروين لن يؤثر عليهم

وعن التطور الذي حققه آرسنال، أفاد: “يمكنك أن تسأله (ميكيل أرتيتا)، لأنه إذا قلت شيئًا سيقولون إنني كنت ألعب ألعابًا ذهنية أو شيء من هذا القبيل”.

وأكد: “لطالما أشيد به في أرائي عنه وعن فريقه، كان كلا العامين متقاربين لكننا كنا أقوياء للغاية أيضًا”.

عندما طُرح على جوارديولا أنه يستطيع ممارسة الألعاب الذهنية ضد خصومه، أجاب: “لا، أنا لست جيدًا في ذلك”.

وشدد مدرب مانشستر سيتي: “أتطلع إلى الأمام، وكل مباراة هي فرصة للعب بشكل أفضل والقيام بعمل أفضل من المباراة السابقة، عندما يلعب المنافسون بشكل أفضل، تكون لديك دائمًا فرصة للتحسن”.

وانتقل جوارديولا للحديث عن لاعبه فيل فودين قائلاً: “لقد لعب 45 دقيقة جيدة في منتصف الأسبوع وكان أفضل لاعب في الموسم الماضي والآن يكافح من أجل العودة… كثافته وحركته، هو أحد الأفضل في العالم، يمكنك أن تتخيل مدى سعادتي بعودته”.

وبشأن آرسنال أفاد: “إنهم أطول منا، وهم سريعون، وهم أقوياء للغاية على المستوى الدفاعي، لديهم عدائون رائعون، ويركز جابرييل وساليبا على إيرلينج هالاند طوال الوقت، لهذا السبب من الصعب مهاجمتهم”.

وأتم: “في عام 2024 لم يخسروا خارج الأرض، إنها ليست مجرد مباراة أو مباراتين، فهم متسقون ولا يستقبلون أهدافًا”.

Sunderland will be desperate to stop the rot this Saturday when Stoke City travel to Wearside, Michael Beale keeping everything crossed that his Black Cats side don't succumb to their third defeat in a row in the Championship.

If they were to lose another game – putting them onto 13 losses already after 29 games played – the playoff picture could become even more distant for the stuttering Black Cats and Beale's job could even eventually be on the line.

Beale could attempt to win back over the hardened Sunderland masses with this January buy, therefore, shopping in France potentially to win the player in question's services.

Sunderland want to sign Lyon midfielder

According to a report in French outlet L'Equipe, Sunderland are interested in signing Olympique Lyonnais' midfield warrior Skelly Alvero who comes in at a lofty 6 foot 7 frame.

With the 21-year-old finding himself frozen out of the first-team in France currently – absent from Lyon's last five league encounters – Sunderland could come to the rescue and offer Alvero more game-time.

German side Werder Bremen are also reportedly interested in signing Alvero on a loan deal until the end of the campaign according to L'Equipe, Sunderland just behind the Bundesliga outfit in the queue for the young midfielder.

Having success recently signing Pierre Ekwah, who is a fellow compatriot of Alvero, the 21-year-old could well come into the Sunderland side and usurp the settled Black Cats first-teamer's presence regardless.

Related EFL Championship done deals: Every January 2024 transfer

As the January transfer window closes, FFC has you covered for every in and out involving your club in the EFL Championship.

Posts ByLuke Randall Feb 1, 2024

The current Lyon man could well come in and form an intimidating midfield duo with Dan Neil in the process, a transfer for Sunderland fans to certainly keep an eye out on.

How Alvero would slot into the Sunderland team

Joining Lyon from fellow French side Sochaux just last summer, Alvero starred for his former club before making the big leap to the Groupama Stadium.

During his time with his previous employers, Alvero would bag five goals and pick up four assists playing for both the Sochaux B team and the senior side.

Moreover, looking at FBRef statistics, Alvero excels in his diligent defensive duties more so than Ekwah currently does at the Stadium of Light.

Helped by his imposing frame on the pitch, Alvero – over the last year on average per 90 minutes – has won 3.05 tackles and 3.98 aerials in contrast to Ekwah's lesser 1.87 tackles and 0.69 aerials.

Whilst Neil in the central midfield two enjoys roaming forward more than the Sunderland number 39, as seen in Neil's 7.01 progressive passes averaged over the same time period, Alvero could come in and fulfil the role of anchor in the Black Cats side far more impressively than Ekwah.

Still, Alvero beats Neil when it comes to successful take-ons – the former coming in at 2.24 to Neil's 0.96 – and could complement Neil's tenacity on the ball brilliantly with similarly brave runs going forward.

Ekwah has also had his fair share of off-days in the Sunderland first team ranks recently, notably giving the ball up against Newcastle United in the already tense Tyne-Wear Derby after a short goal kick out from Anthony Patterson for Alexander Isak to then rifle home.

Signing Alvero would see the Black Cats shop in a left-field market, but with the potential deal being risk-free by loaning Alvero into the building until the end of the season, it could be a buy that pays off.

تقدم فريق الكرة بالنادي الأهلي بالهدف الثالث أمام منافسه جورماهيا الكيني في اللقاء الذي جمع بينهما ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

وواجه الأهلي نظيره جورماهيا اليوم السبت في إياب دور الـ32 من دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد الفوز ذهابًا بثلاثية نظيفة.

طالع.. بالفيديو | تألق عطية الله.. الأهلي يهزم جورماهيا بثلاثية ويتأهل لمجموعات دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وجاء الهدف في الدقيقة 90 عن طريق طاهر محمد طاهر بعد تلقيه تمريرة من محمد مجدي أفشة داخل منطقة الجزاء ليصوبها مباشرة في المرمى.

وسجل وسام أبو علي الهدف الثاني للأهلي في الدقيقة 54، بعد تمريرة من يحيى عطية الله استقبلها الفلسطيني بتسديدة داخل الشباك.

وكان الأهلي قد تقدم بالهدف الأول في الدقيقة 24 عن طريق رامي ربيعة، من كرة رأسية بعد عرضية من يحيى عطية الله. هدف الأهلي الثالث أمام جورماهيا في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

Aston Villa reportedly hold an interest in signing a new midfielder as NSWE look to back Unai Emery at the end of the January transfer window.

Aston Villa transfer rumours

Emery is currently on course to take the club into the Champions League next season after an outstanding first season in charge at Villa Park. The club have made Villa Park a fortress and made history with a club-record 15th consecutive home Premier League victory back in December.

Something that has helped Villa this season were their additions over the summer, however, they have been relatively quiet in the winter window.

Aston Villa summer signings

Fee

Pau Torres (Villarreal)

£33m

Moussa Diaby (Bayer Leverkusen)

Undisclosed

Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)

Free

Rico Richards (West Bromwich Albion)

Free

Nicolo Zaniolo (Galatasaray)

Loan

All fees according to Sky Sports

Teenage right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic has been the club’s only addition so far in 2024, joining for an undisclosed fee from Red Star Belgrade before heading back to the Serb Superliga club on loan.

Middlesbrough attacker Morgan Rogers has emerged as the top target for the remainder of the window, as per reports, with Villa already having two bids turned down for the Championship star. Should Villa get their man, they would have bolstered their defence and attack, and to cap things off, they also appear to be looking at a new midfielder.

Aston Villa eyeing Florian Neuhaus move

According to German outlet Bild in the last 48 hours, Villa are keen on beating rivals West Ham in the race to sign Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder Florian Neuhaus, with clubs across Europe also keen on the Germany international.

“Selling Neuhaus is not an issue with Gladbach because his contract has just been extended by four years without an exit clause. But probably a loan. So far there have been loose inquiries from Lazio Rome and Sevilla FC, but the lead to England is more concrete: West Ham United and Aston Villa want to play with Neuhaus for the Champions League places.”

Neuhaus is 26 years of age and is primarily a central midfielder but can also turn out in holding and advanced midfield roles when required. He has spent the entirety of his career so far in Germany and has been on the books of Borussia Monchengladbach since 2017. During that time, Neuhaus spent a season on loan with Fortuna Dusseldorf but has become a regular for his current employers and is now approaching 200 appearances.

Football talent scout Jacek Kulig once labelled Neuhaus as the most underrated Bundesliga midfielder under the age of 23, and he was once valued at €38m by Transfermarkt.

He could well be viewed as a replacement for Leander Dendoncker, who is reportedly in talks to join Napoli on loan, and by the looks of things, Villa may have to act fast if they want to win the race for Neuhaus’ services.