Evergreen Northamptonshire seamer Ben Sanderson led the charge with three wickets as Northamptonshire’s attack made the most of having a new Dukes ball back in their hands on the opening day of this Vitality County Championship clash at Wantage Road.But despite slumping to 27 for 4 after 10.4 overs, Colin Ingram led Glamorgan’s fightback with an unbeaten 69 off 110 balls. He steered the visitors to 203 for 7 at the close, with honours just about even on the first evening.Looking solid in defence, Ingram played some crisp attacking shots, as he rebuilt, first in a partnership of 69 in 18.3 overs with Chris Cooke (28). Despite losing Cooke after tea, the in-form Ingram pushed on, passing a second consecutive half-century of the season to go with a century in his opening game. He found another willing partner in Dan Douthwaite, whose bustling 50 came off just 63 balls in a sixth wicket stand worth 74 off 102 balls.Earlier Northamptonshire won the toss and decided to bowl after overnight heavy rain washed out the morning session. The atmospherics aided movement through the air and off the seam as Northamptonshire’s bowlers stuck rigidly to a controlled, probing line around off-stump.Sanderson, in particular, proved unplayable at times. He was well supported by Australian international Chris Tremain, while England Under-19 Raphy Weatherall also bowled impressively, taking two wickets. It stood in stark contrast to the run fest last weekend against the Kookaburra ball.It was Tremain who struck first when he got a fuller delivery to swing in and then seam away to take the edge of Zain-ul-Hassan’s bat, keeper Lewis McManus taking the catch.Sanderson challenged Billy Root outside off-stump, the batter repeatedly playing and missing before the bowler got one to come back in and trap him leg before wicket.Colin Ingram’s unbeaten 69 was vital for the visitors•Getty Images

Glamorgan skipper Sam Northeast (13) drove Sanderson down the ground for four but survived a tight lbw decision against Sanderson, while Tremain beat his bat. His brief innings ended when he flashed needlessly at a Sanderson delivery which lifted slightly, Ricardo Vasconcelos holding onto the edge at third slip.Kiran Carlson drove fluently through extra cover for four off Tremain, but when he got stuck in his crease facing a delivery from Weatherall, he was bowled by a ball which knocked back his off-stump.Cooke lived a charmed life early on against Weatherall, the bowler angling one back in and enticing an edge which fell just short of the slip cordon.Ingram meanwhile got off the mark by squeezing Tremain behind square for four but took on Weatherall when he went round the wicket, punching him away off the back foot for four and then pulling his next delivery high over square leg and out of the ground as Glamorgan reached 50 for four after 17 overs.Cooke drove Luke Procter off the back foot for four, but the Northamptonshire captain maintained a tight line to keep the pressure firmly on the batting side as he rotated his attack.Cooke punched Sanderson away for four to bring up the 50 partnership but the bowler had a strong shout for lbw turned down shortly before the rain returned and the players went off for an early tea.After the resumption, Sanderson finally got his man with his first delivery of the evening session, when Cooke drove loosely away from his body and was well caught by Emilio Gay at second slip.Ingram tucked into a floaty, full delivery from Tremain, driving it to the cover boundary and tucked Procter off his hips to bring up his half-century off 78 balls.Douthwaite saw off Sanderson’s post-tea spell, playing him through the covers for four and took the attacking option. He clipped Procter off his legs through midwicket and drove Weatherall down the pitch, striking seven boundaries in all before he was trapped leg before wicket to give Weatherall a second wicket. Procter then picked up James Harris, also lbw, without scoring to leave Glamorgan 171 for 7.Mason Crane though kept Ingram company until the close, scoring 17 to ensure no more scares for the visiting team.Before play started, the players and officials stood for a minute’s silence in memory of former Northamptonshire captain Raman Subba Row CBE who passed away on Wednesday at the age of 92.

Federico Chiesa has turned down Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce and is eyeing a Serie A comeback, but his high wages remain a major roadblock to any move.

• Chiesa to leave Liverpool after just one season
• Rejected Fenerbahce move despite Mourinho's interest
• Wants Serie A return; AC Milan and Napoli monitoring

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Chiesa is set to leave Liverpool this summer after a disappointing season at Anfield. Arne Slot excluded the Italian winger from the club’s pre-season tour, confirming he’s no longer in the Reds’ plans. According to , Mourinho’s Fenerbahce showed interest, but Chiesa has rejected the move and is prioritising a return to Serie A.

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  Chiesa, who joined from Juventus for around €15 million (£13m/$17m), made just 14 appearances, scoring twice in 466 minutes. Moreover, a mix of injuries, limited game time, and an established attacking hierarchy at Liverpool saw him drop down the pecking order. With the 2026 World Cup cycle on the horizon, he wants regular football. Serie A is his preferred destination, but his €7m net salary poses a challenge. Interested clubs like Milan, Napoli, Atalanta and Roma are unlikely to meet those wage demands.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  The 27-year-old suffered a serious anterior cruciate ligament injury in 2022 and has since dealt with various muscular issues, limiting his consistency. Despite that, when fit, he’s proven himself to be a game-changer. A return to Italy would mark a fresh start, potentially reuniting him with coaches like Massimiliano Allegri or Antonio Conte.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR CHIESA?

  The Reds are open to selling the Italian winger permanently and could accept less than the €15m they initially paid. Clubs in Italy remain on standby, but a deal depends heavily on the player reducing his salary. Milan’s interest is tied to outgoing transfers, while Napoli seek a replacement for Dan Ndoye.

Bumrah and Coetzee overcame a spirited Kings’ chase as Mumbai moved from ninth to seventh on the points table

Sreshth Shah18-Apr-20241:58

Rapid Fire: What stands out the most about Shashank-Ashutosh duo?

Ashutosh Sharma’s heroic 28-ball 61 went in vain as Punjab Kings suffered yet another close defeat in IPL 2024, this time going down to Mumbai Indians in Mullanpur by nine runs.Early in the chase, Kings were at the risk of being bundled out cheaply when Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee combined to leave the hosts 14 for 4 in 2.1 overs. Soon that became 77 for 6. But Ashutosh – and Shashank Singh with a 25-ball 41 – injected life into the contest.Hardik fined for slow over rate

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya has been fined for his team maintaining a slow over rate during their match against Punjab Kings in Mullanpur. He was fined INR 12 lakhs, this being his team’s first over-rate offence of IPL 2024 under the IPL’s code of conduct.

With three overs to go, Kings needed only 25 runs more. However, Ashutosh fell at the start of the 18th over, and Mumbai never let that advantage go. Kings suffered their fourth final-over defeat of the season, and their fifth loss in all, as Mumbai climbed from ninth to seventh on the table.Bumrah, Coetzee bowl thunderboltsKings were on the mat early in their chase of 193 when Coetzee had Prabhsimran Singh caught behind down the leg side in the first over. At the other end, Bumrah took the new ball and struck right away, removing franchise debutant Rilee Rossouw for a duck and the new opener Sam Curran for 6.Liam Livingstone, batting at No. 4, then lasted two balls when his attempted pull off a 150kph Coetzee delivery was sliced back to the bowler. A score of 14 for 4 soon became 49 for 5 when Harpreet Singh Bhatia was caught by legspinner Shreyas Gopal, and then became 77 for 6 when Jitesh Sharma was lbw for nine by Madhwal.Ashutosh Sharma played an innings to remember•BCCIThe near miracleBy the time Ashutosh walked in, Shashank had already kept Kings’ score moving with the occasional boundary. Shashank pumped three sixes and two fours to make 41 in 25 balls from No. 6, but it was only when Ashutosh joined him that runs flowed from both ends.Ashutosh hammered Madhwal for a six over fine leg in the tenth over and then took Romario Shepherd for four and six in the 11th. He clubbed Hardik Pandya for a six in the 12th too, and even after Bumrah had dismissed Shashank in the 13th, he swept the fast bowler for an audacious six in the same over. Ashutosh and Harpreet Brar then took Coetzee for a 13-run 15th over as they made 65 runs in that five-over period.But it was the 16th over that took Kings ahead in the game for the first time in the chase. Madhwal missed his lengths and Ashutosh punished him with consecutive sixes. Harpreet smacked another six to bring the equation down to 28 off four overs.The required run-rate of only seven gave Ashutosh and Harpreet the breathing room to see out Bumrah’s final over for only three runs, which ended with Kings needing a manageable 25 off 18. But Coetzee’s uncanny habit of breaking partnerships came through again, and he had Ashutosh pulling to deep midwicket at the start of the 18th over. Harpreet was then dismissed by Hardik in the 19th over. Rabada, the No. 11, struck a six off Hardik’s last ball to make it 13 required off seven balls. A single off the last ball of that over, and a wide off the first ball of the final over, bowled by Akash Madhwal, brought it down to 11 off six.However, he was run out in pursuit of a second run next ball, and Mumbai could celebrate a great escape.Suryakumar Yadav was slightly more subdued than usual, but still unfurled some of his trademark shots•BCCISKY anchors Mumbai’s 192
Before this game, Suryakumar Yadav had made two ducks and two half-centuries in his four innings this season. On Thursday, he walked in at No. 3 after Ishan Kishan fell to Rabada in the third over, and got off the mark with consecutive fours off the same bowler. It wasn’t a duck, so he inevitably got to the 50 mark.Suryakumar then used his wrists to put away Harshal Patel for another boundary in the fifth, and followed it up with a cut over the off side off Sam Curran in the sixth. Along with Rohit Sharma, he helped Mumbai to 54 for 1 in the powerplay.Together, they would put on 81 in 57 balls, with Rohit contributing only 26 to the stand. Suryakumar dominated spinners Harpreet and Livingstone after the powerplay, but Rohit could not find the same fluency having been starved of strike for most of the stand. He fell in the 12th over for 35 when he tried to hit Curran over the covers but found the point fielder instead.By the time Rohit was gone, Suryakumar had already reached his fifty in 34 balls. His innings was unusually sluggish by his standards, but the two-paced surface and the change-up deliveries bowled by Harshal and Arshdeep Singh forced false strokes too.It needed Tilak Varma’s take-down of Arshdeep in the 15th over for Suryakumar to also break free in his familiar, trademark fashion, and he did that by bashing Rabada for four, six and six in the 16th after successfully reviewing an lbw decision earlier in the over.That 18-run Rabada over took Mumbai to 148 for 2 in 16 overs, and with big hitters to come, a score of over 200 seemed to be on. But Curran removed Suryakumar for a 53-ball 78 – only the second time he had faced 50-plus balls in an IPL innings – and Mumbai could not get a lot out of Hardik or Tim David. Harshal bowled a seven-run 20th over, which included three wickets, to keep Mumbai down to under 200.After the innings finished on 192 for 7, the highest first-innings IPL total in Mullanpur, Suryakumar told the broadcasters he felt the score was “way above par,” and his prophecy came true, but not without Mumbai surviving a massive scare.

The packed summer soccer schedule has affected attendance across the top professional leagues in the U.S.

MLS, NWSL see attendance dipComes amid busy summer of soccerGarber confident league will reboundFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Getty Images SportWHAT HAPPENED?

Both MLS and the NWSL have reportedly seen their attendance dip this in 2025 amid a busy summer of soccer across the United States.

Both leagues set attendance records in 2024, but neither is on pace to match last season's figures, per Sports Business Journal. According to the report, MLS has seen a 5.9 percent decrease in attendance while the NWSL has seen a four percent decrease. Numbers are up in the USL Championship and USL League One, though, as they've seen 5.2 percent and 17.3 percent rises, respectively.

Even with the decline, MLS is still averaging 21,838 fans, which is about even with the league's 2023 numbers. The numbers are slightly skewed, though, by FC Dallas' stadium renovation, which has limited attendance, as well as Inter Miami playing fewer league matches in total and fewer games in NFL-sized venues.

Even if the league's numbers hold, it would likely still leave MLS right among the top 10 best-attended leagues in the world, as they were last year. The NWSL, meanwhile, may have been impacted by the Gold Cup, which was played in eight of the league's 14 markets.

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The dip comes amid a busy summer of soccer, one in which the U.S. hosted both the Gold Cup and the Club World Cup. The latter, which played an expanded tournament for the first time, reportedly sold nearly 2.5 million tickets for 63 matches and featured some of the world's biggest clubs.

In the end, Chelsea took down Paris Saint-Germain in the finale. The Gold Cup, meanwhile, reportedly sold 538,999 tickets for 22 sessions across 12 different markets.  In total, 21 of MLS's 30 clubs played in markets that played host to matches in either the Club World Cup or Gold Cup this summer.

The Club World Cup was often the subject of debate centered around burnout, both for players on a physical level and for fans on a financial level. With the World Cup coming to the U.S. next summer, there has never been more high-level soccer in the U.S., with many fans forced to pick and choose which events to attend as ticket prices continue to be the subject of debate as well.

Getty Images SportWHAT DON GARBER SAID

MLS commissioner Don Garber reflected on the attendance dip during the league's All-Star Game.

“I’m confident that we will finish [the season] with another increase in our attendance,” Garber said. “And, by the way, when you’re constantly growing, it’s hard to continue to increase, but that’s our goal.

“By the end of Leagues Cup, there’ll be close to four million fans that will attend professional or national team soccer matches [in the U.S. and Canada] this summer, which is really an astounding number."

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

American soccer's domestic seasons continue as MLS clubs play in the Leagues Cup this weekend, while the NWSL returned to its regular season slate after an international break.

كشف النجم المصري عمر مرموش عن أصعب خصم واجهه في مسيرته الاحترافية، وقد اختار أحد المنافسين من الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وكان عمر مرموش قد شارك في فوز مانشستر سيتي ضد ولفرهامبتون برباعية نظيفة خلال اللقاء الذي جمع بين الفريقين على ملعب مولينيو في الجولة الأولى من منافسات البريميرليج.

أقرأ أيضاً.. كلاوديو إيتشيفيري يشرح أسباب رحيله عن مانشستر سيتي إلى ليفركوزن

وفي حوار مع شبكة “بي إن سبورتس” الإنجليزية قال عمر مرموش رداً على أصعب مدافع واجهه في الدوري الإنجليزي:” ريس جيمس”.

وأضاف: “لعبت في أول مباراة لي مع مانشستر سيتي ضد تشيلسي في الدوري الإنجليزي وتنافست مع ريس جيمس الذي كان قوياً وسريعاً للغاية ويلعب بشكل جيد بالكرة”.

وأتم مرموش تصريحاته: “مررت بوقت عصيب، لم ألعب مباريات كثيرة لأقدم رأياً صادقاً لكني سأختار ريس جيمس”.

وحول أفضل هدف له مع مانشستر سيتي فقد ختم النجم المصري تصريحاته: “أعتقد أنه سؤال يسهل معرفة إجابته، انه الهدف الذي الذي سجلته ضد بورنموث وفاز بجائزة هدف الموسم”.

وأكد: “كان هدفاً مذهلاً وآمل أن أتمكن من تكراره هذا الموسم، آمل بالقيام بذلك مرة واحدة على الأقل”.

ويستعد مانشستر سيتي لمواجهة توتنهام يوم السبت المقبل في الجولة الثانية من منافسات الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

جدير بالذكر أن عمر مرموش قد انضم لصفوف مانشستر سيتي من صفوف آينتراخت فرانكفورت في يناير الماضي، وسجل 8 أهداف وصنع 3 أهداف خلال 26 مباراة.

Despite losing Smith and Labuschagne cheaply in their second innings, Australia remain in a dominant position

Tristan Lavalette01-Mar-20243:26

Malcolm: NZ folded under enormous pressure

Steven Smith and Marnus Labuschagne fell cheaply in a dramatic end to day two, but Australia remained in firm control of the first Test after their disciplined attack tore through New Zealand in challenging conditions at Basin Reserve.Having been put to the sword in Australia’s first innings by Cameron Green, who finished unbeaten on 174 and combined in a record tenth-wicket partnership of 116 with Josh Hazlewood, a flustered New Zealand wilted in response and were bowled out for 179 in 43.1 overs.With a first-innings lead of 204, Australia elected not to make New Zealand follow on and they faced a tough eight overs before stumps. Captain Tim Southee provided a much-needed tonic for New Zealand by dismissing Smith, who chopped onto his stumps for a duck on the third ball of the innings.Related

When 'mini-Buddha' lost his calm and New Zealand lost the plot, again

Green's quick learning and Hazlewood's redemption pile on pain for New Zealand

Green's masterful century lifts Australia in challenging conditions

Green's red-ball rhythm proves he is the real deal

Having taken just two wickets in his last five Test innings, Southee was on a roll when he strangled Labuschagne down the leg side for 2. Labuschagne trudged off in despair as he fell in single figures for the fourth straight innings in Test cricket.Nathan Lyon, the nightwatcher, survived a torrid period before stumps as he copped a painful blow to his body and was dropped on the last ball of the day’s play by Southee at third slip off Matt Henry.Opener Usman Khawaja also made it through and, despite the late drama, Australia remained in a strong position after a dominant day’s play.Cameron Green walks off unbeaten on 174•Getty Images

Australia’s frontline seamers, along with allrounder Mitchell Marsh, were relentless and each picked up a wicket, while Lyon produced sharp turn and probed dangerously outside off stump to finish with 4 for 43. In the process, he moved past Courtney Walsh’s 519 Test wickets and into seventh position on the all-time list. Green did not bowl after his marathon 275-ball innings.New Zealand had high hopes of mustering a strong reply amid sunny conditions with the pitch appearing to be flattening out, as is often the case at Basin Reserve. But it didn’t eventuate as their top-order failed to cope with uneven bounce as the ball reared from divots.Mitchell Starc, playing his first Test in New Zealand, aimed to bowl full but it was a good-length delivery that had opener Tom Latham uncertain about whether to play or not as he chopped onto his stumps to trigger a collapse of three wickets for no runs in the space of six deliveries.Kane Williamson, who scored three centuries in four innings against South Africa, was run out in a horrible mix-up just two balls later. He set off for a single only to collide into Will Young, who was ball-watching, as Labuschagne hit the stumps with a direct throw from short range.In the next over, Rachin Ravindra was enticed to drive by a full and wide delivery from Hazlewood only to slice to Lyon, who held onto a good catch at point.Kane Williamson, Will Young and Mitchell Starc all get into a tangle•Getty Images

Due to the predicament, Daryl Mitchell had to curb his aggressiveness and scored just 7 off his first 35 deliveries until whacking a short delivery from Pat Cummins to the boundary. But on the next ball, he nicked off a brilliant length delivery from Cummins, who is also playing his first Test in New Zealand.Coming to the crease at 29 for 5, Glenn Phillips decided to counterattack and shared a rapid 84-run partnership with Tom Blundell to momentarily stop Australia’s charge.But Lyon took over to halt the fightback despite the efforts of Phillips, who made 71 off 70, and a late cameo of 42 from Matt Henry.New Zealand’s spirit was seemingly crushed by the earlier onslaught from Green, who smashed 71 runs to completely dominate a prolonged first session.After stamping himself as Australia’s No. 4 with a brilliant century on the opening day of the series, Green toyed with New Zealand’s flagging attack through a combination of power and placement. He and Hazlewood, who made 22 off 62 balls, overtook Australia’s previous highest last-wicket stand against New Zealand, of 114 when Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie famously combined at the Gabba in 2004.Glenn Phillips scored a counterattacking 71•Getty Images

Their partnership was considerably the highest of the innings. The last time that a tenth-wicket stand topped an Australia innings was in 2015 against West Indies when Adam Voges and Hazlewood added 97 runs in Roseau.It was a bitter disappointment for New Zealand, who at one point seemed likely to bowl Australia out for under 200. Their quicks were ragged at times with New Zealand conceding 41 extras. Henry finally dismissed Hazlewood during the extra 30 minutes in the first session to claim a deserved five-wicket haul.Resuming at 279 for 9, Australia eyed a score of 300 but Green played smartly and didn’t go for broke immediately with the field spread and only one slip in place.After scoring only seven runs in the first 30 minutes, Green muscled New Zealand’s frustrated attack around with power-hitting and brought up his 150 after hammering a short delivery from Will O’Rourke for six on the leg side.When Hazlewood did face up, he defended well and also unfurled several attractive strokes in his highest Test score in five years, having gone 27 innings without making more than 11.

MatériaMais Notícias

A data de estreia do São Paulo na temporada se aproxima (dia 15, às 18h30, contra o Ituano, no Morumbi). E com isso o São Paulo vai definindo o seu elenco para a próxima temporada com um problema primordial já chamando a atenção: o grande número de estrangeiros.

O clube já contava com o equatoriano Arboleda, o venezuelano Ferraresi, os argentinos Calleri e Galoppo, o uruguaio Gabriel Neves e o colombiano Orejuela. Ou seja, já são seis gringos no elenco, um a mais que o limite estabelecido pelo regulamento das competições no Brasil.

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+ Lucas Lima, Pato e outros: listamos 15 jogadores brasileiros famosos que estão sem time
+ Confira as principais negociações do futebol nacional no Mercado da Bola do L!

Mesmo assim, contudo, o clube foi ao mercado e acertou a contratação de mais opções vindas do exterior: o zagueiro argentino Alan Franco e o volante equatoriano Méndez.

Como espaço para todos não há, o LANCE! analisou cada uma das peças estrangeiras do plantel de acordo com o que vem sendo treinador pelo técnico Rogério Ceni na pré-temporada e antecipa para você quem deve jogar e quem deve esquentar banco entre os gringos tricolores neste início de ano. Confira:

TITULARES ABSOLUTOS
(Devem ocupar uma das cinco vagas de gringos)

Calleri

Ídolo máximo de uma torcida, o centroavante é homem de confiança de Ceni e única opções, por hora, para ser centroavante do time. Credenciais mais do que suficientes para lhe assegurar uma vaga nos 11 iniciais.

Arboleda

Candidato a ‘virar brasileiro’ para desinflar o acúmulo de gringos, o equatoriano só deixou a equipe no ano passado por conta da grave contusão. Recuperado, o tempo de casa, a adaptação confirmada e a qualidade do futebol lhe asseguram uma vaga.

Méndez

Apesar de ainda não ter sido oficializado até a conclusão desta reportagem, a contratação do titular equatoriano na última Copa do Mundo está encaminhada. E o volante tem espaço garantido na equipe, fazendo o segundo homem de meio-campo que reconstrói o jogo com velocidade. Peça escolhida a dedo por Ceni.

BANCO NO MÍNIMO ELES TÊM GARANTIDOS
(Concorrência com brasileiros, falta de confiança do treinador e momento podem fazê-los a ficar no banco, mas com chances de aparecerem no time)

Ferraresi e Alan Franco

Sim, juntamos dois em um aqui. O venezuelano já deu conta do recado no ano passado e agradou Ceni. O argentino chega cheio de expectativa e laureado por quase três anos de observação dos olheiros tricolores. Mas com Arboleda garantido, só um deve jogar. Os dois juntos, só quando o equatoriano não estiver disponível. E parece lógico que para atender o rodízio de gringos, o que não estiver como titular, não estará relacionado, para abrir espaço.

Gabriel Neves

Apesar de ter tido o seu momento de destaque no ano passado, parece pouco provável que o uruguaio seja escolhido no lugar de Pablo Maia como primeiro volante titular. A ‘joia de Cotia’ vem figurando em listas de maiores revelações do mundo, está sendo observdo por clubes ingleses e sai na frente pelo fim de temporada perfeito, enquanto Neves se recuperava de contusão. Mesmo assim, deve aparecer como opção no banco de reservas.

Galoppo

O reforço mais caro da história do São Paulo continua sem encher a alma de Ceni de empolgação. deverá ser mais um começo de ano como opção na reserva.

DISPENSÁVEIS
(Se aparecer interessados, é tchau e bença)

Orejuela

O lateral-direito volta de empréstimo, mas com outras opções no plantel, que vão de Igor Vinícius ao veterano Rafinha, muito pouco provável que ganhe espaço de outro gringo nas partidas. Jogar, jogar mesmo, só quando reservas forem a campo. O sonho é negociá-lo, mas não apareceram propostas até o momento nesta janela de transferências.

> Confira jogos, classificação e simule os resultados do Paulistão-23

Under-pressure Besiktas boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has secured a key signing, with Wilfred Ndidi set to arrive from Leicester City.

Besiktas agree a €9.5m fee with LeicesterMidfielder signs three-year deal despite interest from EuropeSolskjaer remains under scrutiny after club's poor startFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Despite rumours over his managerial job, Solskjaer is pushing ahead with the squad boost at Besiktas. The Turkish side has reportedly agreed a €9.5 million fee with Leicester to sign the Nigerian midfielder, as reported by Sky's Florian Plettenberg. The 28-year-old has agreed to a three-year contract, with an option for a fourth. Ndidi, who joined the English club in 2017, is set to undergo a medical in Istanbul on Thursday. 

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Ndidi’s arrival provides much-needed steel in midfield for Besiktas, who finished fourth in the Turkish Super Lig last season and are looking to bounce back stronger. However, Solskjaer’s position at the club remains uncertain following a 4-2 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of the Europa League second qualifying round. 

The former Manchester United manager was appointed in January 2025, but reports in Turkey suggest the club is already weighing up other managerial options, with Nuri Sahin and former manager Sergen Yalcin as potential candidates.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ndidi reportedly had offers from European clubs, including Everton, Valencia and Real Betis. But the 28-year-old defensive midfielder chose to join Solskjaer’s project in Istanbul. The Nigerian recorded one goal and five assists in 30 matches for Leicester last season.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER AND BESIKTAS?

While the new signings like Ndidi may offer short-term solutions, Solskjaer is believed to be on thin ice. Meanwhile, Besiktas, who had a controversial transfer fallout with defender Kyle Walker-Peters, continues to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season. The Turkish club has reportedly enquired about Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey, who had a quiet season with the Premier League side last season.

Bayern Munich chief Max Eberl has reacted to speculation his club are keen to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson.

• Jackson linked with Chelsea exit
• Striker valued at €65 million
• Bayern and Newcastle said to be interested

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to journalist Florian Plettenberg, Bayern have made enquiries about Jackson, who is rated at €65 million (£56m) by Chelsea. He adds that Newcastle are 'seriously interested' as they look to find a potential replacement for wantaway striker Alexander Isak.

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  Moreover, Sky Sports claims that AC Milan and Juventus are also exploring options to sign the 24-year-old. Although the Senegalese international reportedly wants to stay at Stamford Bridge, head coach Enzo Maresca has not ruled out his sale this summer. Jackson's place at the club is less secure heading into the new season following the signings of Liam Delap and Joao Pedro.

• WHAT BAYERN SAID

  However, Bayern chief Max Eberl has ruled out making a move for Jackson when quizzed on the speculation after his team's friendly win over Tottenham. He told reporters: "Definitely not. I never spoke to him." He went on to add he was "very happy" with his current squad but when admitted: "There are still almost four weeks, so you can never rule anything out. We'll see what happens and what's happening around us."

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  When asked whether Jackson, whose contract runs until 2033, could leave Chelsea this summer, Maresca told reporters on Thursday: "When the transfer window is open, unfortunately or fortunately, anything can happen. This also involves Nico's situation. At the moment we also had two strikers arrive, Joao [Pedro] and Liam [Delap]. So we will see what happens."

حُسمت هوية الأندية المتأهلة إلى منافسات الموسم الجديد من بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، 2025/26، في النسخة الثانية بعد تطبيق النظام الجديد العام الماضي.

ومن المقرر أن يجري الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم، يويفا، مراسم قرعة مرحلة الدوري من دوري أبطال أوروبا، مساء الخميس المقبل، وتُعد تلك النسخة هي الثانية بالنظام الجديد لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، حيث يشارك 36 فريقًا بدلًا من 32.

وستتواجد الفرق الـ36 في مجموعة واحدة، على أن يواجه كل فريق 8 خصوم مختلفين، نصفهم على ملعبه، والآخر خارجه.

وسيتم تقسيم تلك الفرق على 4 أوعية، وسيواجه كل فريق خصمين من كل وعاء، أحدهما على أرضه والآخر خارجه، وفقًا للقواعد المنصوص عليها.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تصنيف فرق دوري أبطال أوروبا 2025/26

ولن يستطيع الفريق مواجهة خصم من نفس دولته، ويمكنه مواجهة فريقين من دولة واحدة، بحد أقصى.

وستتأهل الفرق الثمانية الأولى مباشرة إلى دور الـ16، بينما ستتنافس الفرق التي تحتل المركز التاسع إلى 24 حيث سيخوضون مباراتين فاصلتين (خروج المغلوب) للتأهل إلى الدور المقبل.

أما الفرق التي تحتل المركز الخامس والعشرين وفيما بعد، سيودعون المنافسة دون الوصول إلى الدوري الأوروبي.

وبالنسبة لمرحلة الملحق، المؤهل إلى دور الـ16، فإن كل فريق من أولئك الذين يحتلون المركز بين التاسع والسادس عشر، سيواجه خصمًا يحتل المركز بين السابع عشر والرابع والعشرين، حسب قرعة.

وبعد ذلك، سيواجه كل فرق من الفرق المتأهلة من الملحق، خصم من أولئك الذين تأهلوا مباشرة إلى دور الـ16، حسب قرعة كذلك. الفرق المتأهلة إلى دوري أوروبا 2025/26

تأهل 29 فريقًا بشكل مباشر إلى دوري أبطال أوروبا، سواء من دورياتهم المحلية أو بطلي دوري أبطال أوروبا والدوري الأوروبي، أو البديل أو التصنيف حسب الأداء الأوروبي، في حين جاء تأهل الفرق السبعة المتبقية من خلال جولة تصفيات.

إنجلترا: ليفربول، آرسنال، مانشستر سيتي، تشيلسي.

إسبانيا: برشلونة، ريال مدريد، أتلتيكو مدريد، أتلتيك بلباو.

إيطاليا: نابولي، إنتر ميلان، أتالانتا، يوفنتوس.

ألمانيا: بايرن ميونخ، باير ليفركوزن، آينتراخت فرانكفورت، بوروسيا دورتموند.

فرنسا: باريس سان جيرمان، مارسيليا، موناكو.

هولندا: آيندهوفن، أياكس.

البرتغال: سبورتينج لشبونة.

بلجيكا: رويال يونيون سانت جيلواز.

تركيا: جالطة سراي.

التشيك: سلافيا براج.

بطل دوري أبطال أوروبا: باريس سان جيرمان (ولكن تم استبداله بـ أولمبياكوس اليوناني بعدما ضمن الفريق الفرنسي مشاركته كونه بطل الدوري المحلي).

بطل الدوري الأوروبي: توتنهام.

حسب الأداء الأوروبي: نيوكاسل يونايتد، فياريال.

الفرق المتأهلة من التصفيات: كيرات، بافوس، بودو جليمت، قره باج، كلوب بروج، بنفيكا، كوبنهاجن. مواعيد مباريات مرحلة الدوري من دوري أبطال أوروبا 

الجولة الأولى: 16-18 سبتمبر 2025

الجولة الثانية: 30 سبتمبر-1 أكتوبر 2025

الجولة الثالثة: 21-22 أكتوبر 2025

الجولة الرابعة: 4-5 نوفمبر 2025

الجولة الخامسة: 25-26 نوفمبر 2025

الجولة السادسة: 9-10 ديسمبر 2025

الجولة السابعة: 20-21 يناير 2026

الجولة الثامنة: 28 يناير 2026