The Eredivisie fixture between Ajax and Groningen was abandoned in the sixth minute, after an ultras group set off hundreds of fireworks in honour of a recently deceased supporter. Referee Bas Nijhuis initially suspended play for half an hour before abandoning the game entirely as the pyrotechnic display continued after both teams retook the field.

• Shocking scenes in Amsterdam

  Shortly after kick-off at the Johan Cruyff Arena, ultras set off flares and began shooting fireworks towards the playing surface. That prompted a significant delay. 

  Videos from the venue appear to show the pyrotechnics landing on the pitch, with areas of grass temporarily catching fire. 

  During the pause in action, Nijhuis spoke with ESPN, saying:  “If you want to hurt your club, then you should keep doing things like this. It’s disgraceful.” 

  Several of Ajax's players appeared to take exception to the demonstration, with captain Davy Klaassen waving his arms at this own supporters in disbelief, while striker Wout Weghorst was pictured shaking his head on the broadcast. 

  Following the second stoppage, the referee added: "I can no longer guarantee the safety of the players. I won't do that anymore."

  Shortly after, the game was officially abandoned, with Amsterdam mayor Femke Halsema permanently suspending the game as per the advice of the Dutch Football Association (KNVB). 

Advertisement

• AFP
  

  Ajax's statement after Groningen tie abandoned

  Ajax condemned the actions of the fans responsible for the shocking scenes in an official statement, which read: "Ajax finds what happened in the stadium tonight utterly scandalous. We apologize to everyone affected in any way. The safety of spectators and players has been jeopardized. This is unacceptable. We emphatically distance ourselves from this misconduct. Fireworks have no place in the stadium.

  "Spectators in the affected section of the stadium were frisked. Dogs were also deployed to detect fireworks, both inside the stadium before it opened and as spectators entered. Other preventative measures were also implemented. Despite this, we were unable to prevent this situation.

  "We will, of course, review the camera footage to try to identify the perpetrators and investigate in other ways who is responsible. If this leads to the identification of perpetrators, we will take appropriate action."

• Ajax crowd issues

  Nijhuis also called upon Halsema to investigate ongoing issues involving Ajax supporters, and the security measures taken at the Johan Cruyff Arena. 

  There have been notable stories around fan violence at Ajax fixtures in the past few years. Last season, clashes between local football fans, the police and Maccabi Tel Aviv ultras made international headlines, while the violent scenes in the buildup to Ajax's 2023 fixture with fierce rivals Feyenoord were described as "horrific". The visitors were leading 3-0 when that game was called off in the 56th minute, as the home support threw flares and fireworks onto the playing surface. After the game, Ajax supporters attempted to break into the stadium. 

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  What comes next?

  It is highly likely that the game will now be continued behind closed doors, as was the case with Feyenoord and Ajax's abandoned fixture in 2023. That tie was continued with the score at 3-0 to the visitors, however, with Ajax and Groningnen's fixture sitting at 0-0 with just five minutes played, this game could be completely restarted. 

  The KNVB is expected to announce a new date for the game to be played within the next two weeks.

افتتح منتخب المغرب مشواره في بطولة كأس العرب 2025 بفوز مستحق على منتخب جزر القمر بنتيجة 3-1، في المباراة التي أقيمت ضمن الجولة الأولى لدور المجموعات للنسخة الحالية من البطولة المقامة في قطر.

سجل المنتخب المغربي هدفه الأول مبكرًا في الدقيقة الخامسة، عندما استغل سفيان بوفتيني ركلة ركنية من الجانب الأيسر ليقابلها برأسية رائعة أسكنت الشباك، مانحًا نسور الأطلس بداية قوية في اللقاء.

وعزز طارق تيسودالي تقدم المغرب بعد ست دقائق فقط، مستفيدًا من تسديدة ارتطمت بمدافع جزر القمر لتغير اتجاهها وتدخل المرمى، ليصبح التقدم المغربي هدفين دون رد قبل مرور ربع ساعة من بداية المباراة.

طالع أيضًا | تشكيل منتخب مصر الثاني أمام الكويت في كأس العرب.. شريف يقود الهجوم

وفي الدقيقة الرابعة من الوقت بدل الضائع للشوط الأول، أضاف كريم البركاوي الهدف الثالث بعد متابعة عرضية من الجبهة اليمنى، مسجلاً برأسية مميزة ليختتم الشوط بتفوق كبير للمغرب.

وفي الشوط الثاني، قلص منتخب جزر القمر الفارق في الدقيقة 56، بعدما انطلق زاكواني على الجبهة وسدد عرضية أرضية اصطدمت بمدافع المغرب وسكنت الشباك بالخطأ، ليمنح فريقه بصيص أمل قبل أن يحافظ المغرب على تقدمه حتى نهاية المباراة.

وتضم المجموعة الثانية التي ينافس فيها المنتخب المغربي ومنتخب جزر القمر إلى جانبهما منتخبي السعودية وعمان، حيث يسعى نسور الأطلس لاستمرار الانتصارات لضمان التأهل إلى الأدوار الإقصائية مبكرًا. أهداف مباراة المغرب وجزر القمر في كأس العرب

MatériaMais Notícias

Em um jogo emocionante, o Atlético-MG arrancou um empate por 2 a 2 com o Fluminense, no Kléber Andrade, pela 5ª rodada do Brasileirão. O Tricolor abriu o placar com Cano e ampliou a vantagem com Renato Augusto, mas Vargas entrou na etapa final e balançou as redes duas vezes para o Galo.

continua após a publicidade

➡ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

Com o resultado, a equipe de Fernando Diniz chega aos cinco pontos, mas não se distancia da zona de rebaixamento. Por outro lado, o time de Gabriel Milito atingiu os nove pontos e divide a liderança de forma provisória com o Botafogo.

O Atlético-MG volta a campo e encara o Peñarol, pela 4ª rodada da fase de grupos da Libertadores, na terça-feira (7). O Fluminense encara o Cerro Porteño também pela competição continental, mas na quinta-feira (9).

continua após a publicidade

✅ FICHA TÉCNICA
Fluminense 2 x 2 Atlético-MG – Brasileirão
5ª rodada

🗓️Data e horário:sábado, 4 de maio de 2024, às 16h (hora de Brasília)
📍Local:Kléber Andrade, em Cariacica (ES)
📺Onde assistir:Premiere
🟨Arbitragem:Raphael Claus (árbitro); Danilo Ricardo Simon Manis e Luiz Alberto Andrini Nogueira (auxiliares); Rodrigo Guarizo Ferreira do Amaral (VAR).

FLUMINENSE
Fábio; Marquinhos, Manoel, Felipe Melo e Marcelo; Martinelli, Lima e Ganso; Douglas Costa, Cano e Arias.Técnico:Fernando Diniz.

continua após a publicidade

ATLÉTICO-MG
Everton; Saravia, Battaglia, Jemerson e Arana; Otávio, Franco e Zaracho; Scarpa, Paulinho e Hulk.Técnico:Gabriel Milito.

Tudo sobre

Atlético-MGBrasileirãoFluminense

The Tampa Bay Rays rallied back to beat the San Francisco Giants, 2-1, on Saturday night but their manager, Kevin Cash, wasn't around to see the team score their winning runs as he was tossed from the game in the eighth inning after yelling a profane message at the home plate umpire.

Tampa's Chandler Simpson thought he had drawn a key walk in the eighth inning when a 3-1 pitch by Jose Butto appeared to be a bit low. Simpson made a move to first, but had to quickly stop after home plate umpire Dan Iassogna called it a strike.

Cash didn't love that call at all and let Iassogna know about it.

"That's f—— down and you know it's down!," Cash yelled from the Rays' dugout. He was quickly ejected and ran out on the field to yell at Iassogna a little more before heading back to the locker room.

Here's how that played out:

Simpson would go on to hit a single in that at-bat and he later scored the Rays' winning run.

Cash must have loved seeing that while watching on TV from the Rays' clubhouse.

When the Los Angeles Dodgers pitched Roki Sasaki on joining their franchise, they had an ace up their collective sleeve: toilets.

On Wednesday, Dodgers president and CEO Stan Kasten recalled how the franchise lured Sasaki, partly because of fancy new toilets installed in the team's clubhouse.

Kasten recalled that when the Dodgers were recruiting Sasaki, they were also deep into planning for modernizing their clubhouse. The plan had begun the year before when they were attempting to recruit Shohei Ohtani. Near the end of recruitment, Sasaki asked if the team planned to have fancy Japanese toilets installed.

"I said, 'Well, why do you ask? Is that important?' And he said, 'Oh, yeah, that's really important,'" Kasten said. "And I said, 'Oh yeah, then we're having them in there.' And so overnight we changed our plans, and now the entire locker room has these fancy Japanese toilets."

If only the Padres and Blue Jays had known about Sasaki's love of fancy toilets.

When the Dodgers landed the 23-year-old righty, he was almost universally considered the best pitching prospect in the world. Unfortunately for L.A., he has missed most of the season due to shoulder issues. When he has been on the mound, Sasaki has disappointed, going 1-1 with a 4.72 ERA, a 1.49 WHIP, and 24 strikeouts against 22 walks in 34 1/3 innings.

But hey, at least the whole team gets to use those fancy toilets.

“I feel that because of the unity we play with, we defeat the strongest teams,” says Vidarbha’s spinner

Abhimanyu Bose15-Oct-2025Harsh Dubey, the left-arm spinner who has been at the centre of Vidarbha’s strong red-ball campaigns over the last two seasons, feels it is the the team’s discipline that makes them stand out from other Indian sides.Last season, Dubey’s 69 wickets in a single Ranji Trophy season were the most for any bowler in the competition’s history. Part of Vidarbha’s age-group set-up before graduating into the senior team, he also said the closeness of the squad and the structure in place has helped Vidarbha become successful.”I will not say [Vidarbha are the] strongest, because I feel that more than being the strongest, we have the most disciplined cricketers overall in India, because of our structure, our team bonding,” Dubey said on the sidelines of the CEAT Cricket Rating Awards in Mumbai. “So, I feel that because of the unity we play with, we defeat the strongest teams. This is my observation.”Related

• Dubey and Thakur seal Irani Cup title for Vidarbha

• The 91st season of the Ranji Trophy is unmissable – here's why

• Tireless Bawne will 'put the body on the line' again to try and win the Ranji Trophy

• For Agarwal, it's all about cashing in when the call comes

• Shami: If I can play Ranji Trophy, I can play 50-overs

Vidarbha have been on a roll over the last two seasons in red-ball competitions. They reached the Ranji Trophy final in 2023-24, won it in 2024-25 and have started the 2025-26 domestic season by securing their third Irani Cup title. They also won back-to-back Ranji Trophy titles in 2017-18 and 2018-19.”See, honestly, the current lot that’s playing now, we have won at least 2-3 trophies in age group cricket. So, we know that winning habit,” Dubey said. “And even the structure of our off-season camps in the VCA, it makes a lot of difference as to how strong your basics are.”Because our coach, Usman Ghani, he was most of our players’ coach in U-14 or U-19. So, I think he has a very good understanding of the players – ‘who can be useful to me and when’.”And even the role of of our backroom team, our trainers, our physios, their role is very important. So, I think we are getting the result of their hard work in the last 7-8 years.”Despite Vidarbha’s successes, very few players from the team have made the national side. Karun Nair, who has now moved to Karnataka between seasons, made a comeback in England, while Jitesh Sharma’s white-ball credentials have made him a regular in the T20I team. However, the list is sparse, with Umesh Yadav being the standout from the team over the past two decades.When asked if players from Vidarbha not getting picked for India can demoralise the team, Dubey said it was all a matter of perspective.”I think it’s a matter of motivation,” Dubey said. “That just ‘this much’ won’t do. You have to do more. So, if you think positively about this negative point, then I think you will have a mindset that will help you do even better.Akshay Wadkar’s leadership has been a standout in Vidarbha’s recent successes•PTI

“So, I think the players who are doing well – like Yash Rathod is doing well, Danish Malewar is doing well, our skipper [Akshay Wadkar] is doing well – there are a lot of such players. So, if you keep doing well consistently. You will get an opportunity at some point.”Vidarbha have replaced Nair in the squad by signing up ex-Karnataka batter R Samarth for this season, who has made the switch from Uttarakhand. It leaves a big gap in their middle-order, but Dubey said the Irani Cup performance of beating a strong Rest of India team showed there’s no void.”I read this in another place that if Karun Nair is not here, how will Vidarbha win Irani Trophy?,” Dubey said. “We won the Irani Trophy. We won without Karun Nair, and even Samarth didn’t even play this time.”So it’s not that if a player leaves, it will leave a gap. I think we have enough good players and even if we don’t have professionals, we can still do well. But yes, having a professional is an additional benefit because they bring experience with them and you get to learn new things many times. I don’t think if anyone leaves Vidarbha, there will be a gap.”On Wednesday, Vidarbha began their Ranji Trophy title defence against Nagaland in Bengaluru. They are in a tough Elite Group A alongside Jharkhand, Andhra, Baroda, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha and Nagaland.

Liverpool have now launched their first approach to sign a much-needed right-back target, who could arrive at Anfield or in North London as a free agent.

Arne Slot admits shock at "ridiculous" Liverpool form

It has been a disastrous run for Liverpool, with their 3-0 loss against Nottingham Forest proving to be their most shocking result yet. After eight defeats in 11 games, the champions are on course for one of the worst title defences in Premier League history, despite spending over £400m in the summer.

With PSV Eindhoven up next, Arne Slot has admitted just how shocked he’s been by his side’s form and went onto describe it as “ridiculous” in his pre-match press conference.

The Champions League has often been a saving grace for Liverpool this season. Their victory over Real Madrid last time out proved to be somewhat of a false dawn before their Premier League return, but the Reds now have the chance to pick up where they left off in Europe, at the very least.

They will, however, be without an out-and-out right-back yet again following Conor Bradley’s injury to join Jeremie Frimpong on the sidelines. It is a problem that Liverpool must solve and one that could yet see Zeki Celik arrive.

Liverpool launch approach to sign Zeki Celik

According to TeamTalk’s Rudi Galetti, Liverpool have launched an approach to sign Celik in a transfer battle with Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, all of whom have made contact.

The right-back is on course to become a free agent when his contract expires next summer and could yet provide a solution for Slot by finally replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The 28-year-old, at the peak of his powers, recently earned the praise of Turkey manager Vincenzo Montella, who told reporters: “He’s the perfect player for any coach.

“Celik is professional, reliable, does his job wherever you play him. In a locker room it is always needed to have guys like him.”

Perfect for Isak: Liverpool make £122m sensation their "dream target"

Liverpool need to make changes in the transfer market once again.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 25, 2025

The AS Roma man is also capable of playing centre-back in what would kill two birds with one stone for Slot, who currently has just three senior centre-backs to choose from which includes the injury-prone Joe Gomez.

Instead of Gakpo: Liverpool can unlock Isak by unleashing homegrown Semenyo

The 21-year-old left-arm spinner has made a steady start but he’s aiming for a big performance in the upcoming domestic season

Ashish Pant28-Aug-2025Day one of the 2025-26 Duleep Trophy. A green top underfoot. Cloudy skies overhead. Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar in the starting XI.When East Zone captain Riyan Parag won the toss and bowled first against North Zone, he would have expected his pace spearheads to cause early damage. Instead, it was a little known left-arm spinner from Jharkhand, Manishi, who cut through the top order to give his team the upper hand at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence on the outskirts of Bengaluru.By the time Manishi came on to bowl the 15th over, the North Zone openers Ankit Kumar and Shubham Khajuria, had put on 49 runs in 84 balls. But that solid start was about to unravel.Related

Arshdeep fine-tunes red-ball skills by learning to enjoy the 'boring times'

'Cricket's just a game' – How Tanmay Agarwal's new mindset is fuelling his run spree

Mohammed Shami revs it up on red-ball return

Manishi’s first ball was loopy and full from around the wicket. Ankit tried to sweep but did not account for the drift into him and was lbw. A few overs later, Khajuria went back to a skiddy length ball, played all around it and was lbw too. And after a 67-run stand between Yash Dhull and Ayush Badoni, Manishi came back and dismissed Dhull minutes before lunch, beating him in the flight to pick up a third lbw.From 49 for 0, North Zone slipped to 133 for 3, and a 21-year-old left-arm spinner had played the lead role when that never was the plan.”Initially, our thinking was that it is a green wicket, so I was asked to be more of a supportive bowler, you know, when the fast bowler needs rest, I can come and bowl four to five overs,” Manishi told ESPNcricinfo after play on day one. “But when I got the wicket on the very first ball, I could attack a little more.”I noticed that my quicker deliveries were coming on to the bat nicely. I was just trying to vary my pace so that the batter’s footwork does not remain the same. Yash Dhull hit me for a couple of sixes as well, but ensured I did not deviate from my lengths, and I got my wickets.”Manishi is playing only his ninth first-class game. He comes from a middle-class family and grew up in Jamshedpur, in Jharkhand, where he attended various coaching academies and was initially a batter. Watching videos of Daniel Vettori, Rangana Herath and Ravindra Jadeja, however, got him interested in the art of left-arm spin. His action is classical, in the mould of Herath, whom he greatly admires. Manishi eases through his delivery stride and relies on drift and variation in pace, rather than mystery.Manishi picked up three wickets on the first day•PTI It was this drift that earned Manishi his first big moment, when Jharkhand was playing Saurashtra in the Ranji Trophy, in November 2024. A bat-pad catch at forward short leg. The wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara in his fifth first-class game.”It’s an interesting story,” Manishi said. “I saw two of Pujara’s previous matches and noticed he was out jabbing to short leg each time. The wicket [in Ranchi] was similar to this here [in Bengaluru]. As soon as Pujara walked out, I asked Sharandeep Singh [my Jharkhand team-mate] to be ready at short leg.”The first ball I bowled to Pujara was a bat-pad that went over Sharandeep’s head. Pujara then hit me through the covers. But then I went slightly wide on the angle and got the inside-edge with the catch landing in short leg’s hands.”Manishi was 20 when he made his first-class debut, but with senior pro Shahbaz Nadeem and Anukul Roy in the Jharkhand side, it took him close to two years to play his second game. He had also come close to making it to the 2020 Under-19 World Cup but failed to make the cut.After Nadeem retired, Manishi got his chance and was Jharkhand’s second highest wicket-taker in the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy – 22 wickets in 11 innings at an average of 27.22. It earned him a place in the East Zone team for the Duleep Trophy, but he’s set higher standards for himself.Cheteshwar Pujara with Manishi during a Ranji Trophy game in November 2024•ESPNcricinfo”If you want to play just Ranji Trophy, then it’s a good season, but if you want to play for India, then it’s just an okay season,” he said. “You see Harsh Dubey, he got 70 [69] wickets in the last season. He got into the limelight because of that, got an IPL contract, played for India A, got into the scene.”My next target is a solid Ranji season where I can get close to 40-50 wickets. That is what will add to my portfolio. My other aim is also to contribute with the bat. I scored a few runs last season, but I want to improve on that this time, score 250 runs in the season.”Manishi finished his first day in the Duleep Trophy with figures of 3 for 90 in 19 overs, as North Zone ended on 308 for 6. He’s not going to chase a maiden five-for in first-class cricket though.”I will just try and be accurate and if someone misses, I have the chance to get two or three wickets. And if seven or eight wickets are down, I might even get a chance to bowl at Arshdeep [Singh] or Harshit Rana. Let’s see.”

Rain has been a consistent feature throughout the games in Colombo, and more of the same is expected on Friday

Madushka Balasuriya16-Oct-20253:33

South Africa find ways to win under pressure

Big picture There is hardly a conversation around Colombo these days that doesn’t involve the weather, and in the context of this World Cup, the rains have certainly played no small part in shaping the trajectories of a few of the sides.Pakistan notably suffered the most cruel fate, as a historic win over England was snatched away from them on Wednesday evening following a washout. Sri Lanka, however, have been on both sides of the coin. Against New Zealand, a spirited late charge led by Nilakshika Silva left them buoyant at the break only for rain to spoil a potential victory charge, but against Australia those same rains ensured a point in what would have been Sri Lanka’s toughest match this tournament.It’s meant that having faced arguably the four most challenging opponents at this tournament – India, Australia, England and New Zealand – in their first four matches, Sri Lanka have come away with two points despite having yet to register a win. It also means that with their remaining matches against sides they would have been more confident at taking on, Sri Lanka will know that a win on Friday will put them in with a very real chance of making an unlikely late semi-final dash.Related

'We know their strengths and weaknesses' – SA bank on tri-series experience for SL challenge

From bowler to blazer: Nilakshika Silva's 26-ball statement to the world

Fatima Sana – a captain burdened, a fast bowler unrestrained

England's lucky break masks deeper batting issues

A big-hitter in a small world – new-age Shorna turns heads

South Africa have looked every bit the dark horses they have been touted as. Following a chastening opening game defeat to England, they’ve won three on the bounce, most notably taking down India. And a win in Colombo will take them to eight points on the table, and see them have one foot in the semi-finals with two further games to play.But while the head-to-head record between South Africa and Sri Lanka in WODIs seems fairly one-sided – 16 wins and six defeats in favour of South Africa – their more recent record speaks towards a far more evenly matched contest with their past five matches since the start of 2024, seeing shared spoils at two wins apiece.Two of those games came at the R. Premadasa earlier this year, with each side winning one, so while this will be South Africa’s first game in Colombo at this World Cup, separating these two units might very well come down to the toss of a coin – or indeed the weather gods.Form guideSri Lanka LLLLW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
South Africa WWLLW In the spotlight In six WODIs batting first at the Khettarama, Sri Lanka has crossed the 200 mark just twice – once in 1999 and once on Tuesday against New Zealand. Tuesday was also the first time they posted a first-innings total above 250 at the venue, a feat that would not have been possible if not for Nilakshika Silva’s blazing 55 off 28. Silva’s late career renaissance has seen her average 44.50 with a strike rate of 84.89 since the start of 2024, all while mostly batting at number six. Her 534 runs also makes her Sri Lanka’s third-most prolific batter behind Chamari Athapaththu and Harshitha Samarawickrama, during this period.Laura Wolvaardt has grown into this tournament. After poor showings against England and New Zealand, she played a pivotal role in their defeat of India before again providing a stable start in a chase against Bangladesh. This might not be particularly pleasing news to those of Sri Lankan persuasion, as Wolvaardt has long been a problematic opponent. In 10 WODIs against Sri Lanka, Wolvaardt has 546 runs at a staggering average of 91 and strike rate of 80.88. What’s more she’s been dismissed just six times over that period – a feat made more impressive as she opens the batting.The R Premadasa Stadium has been a frequent host to rains•Getty Images

Team news Sri Lanka changed up their bowling lineup in the previous game, but were unable to test it. With their batting finally clicking, it’s likely they name an unchanged XI.Sri Lanka (probable): Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshita Samarawickrama, Kavisha Dilhari, Nilakshika Silva, Anushka Sanjeewani (wk), Piumi Wathsala, Sugandika Kumari, Malki Madara, Inoka RanaweeraThere is something to be said for not changing a winning combination. So there might be not much by way of experimentation this game.South Africa (probable): 1 Laura Wolvaardt (capt), 2 Tazmin Brits, 3 Anneke Bosch, 4 Annerie Dercksen, 5 Marizanne Kapp, 6 Sinalo Jafta, 7 Chloe Tryon, 8 Nadine de Klerk, 9 Masabata Klass, 10 Nonkululeko Mlaba, 11 Tumi Sekhukhune Pitch and conditions Rain has been a regular Colombo patron as of late and Friday’s forecast shows that will likely continue to be the case, with showers expected during the afternoon and headed into the evening. The pitch conditions are expected to see batting getting trickier as the game goes on, with something in it for the seamers early before spin takes over. Stats and trivia Nilakshika Silva averages 46.25 against South Africa in seven innings, well above her career average of 29.27. Chamari Athapaththu is 12 runs away from 4000 WODI runs, and four wickets away from 50 WODI wickets. Wolvaardt’s 546 runs against Sri Lanka is the third-most against them by an active batter in WODIs, behind Suzie Bates (551) and Smriti Mandhana (622).Laura Wolvaardt has 546 runs against Sri Lanka•ICC/Getty Images

Quotes “We’re not thinking too far ahead, just taking it one game at at a time. The main focus is on taking the momentum from the last game into this one, and I think if we do that we can do well.” – “As a team we know the players, especially as a bowler. Where to bowl, where their strengths and weaknesses are. So we’re going in very positive.” –

Niko Kovac has given his backing to Aaron Anselmino amid the defender's struggles for regular playing time after he recovered from a muscle injury that hindered his start following a loan move from Chelsea. The Argentine has started four matches for the German side, sparking suggestions he could end up being recalled to Stamford Bridge.

• From Chelsea loanee to Dortmund’s unsung hero

  When Dortmund lost defenders to injury in August, the club moved quickly to bring in Anselmino on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The expectation with the Argentine's signing wasn't much but to provide cover, learn, and offer rotation. Few predicted how quickly he'd stake a claim.

  Anselmino debuted just days after arriving and immediately impressed with calm ball control and intelligent positioning. His early displays earned praise inside the club and across the Bundesliga, prompting supporters and pundits to ask whether a loanee originally considered short-term cover should now be an automatic starter. That debate intensified after he recovered from a brief muscle knock. Some wanted him protected; others saw a player ready to take on more minutes.

  Kovac has navigated that tension carefully. Praising the youngster publicly while managing his workload behind the scenes. The young defender now starts regularly, but his exact minutes remain a talking point as Kovac balances his team selection ahead of crucial fixtures.

Advertisement

• getty
  

  Kovac publicly backs Anselmino

  During the press-conference ahead of the Bayer Leverkusen clash, Kovac left no doubt about his view of Anselmino.

  "Aaron is doing really well. You can rely on the young man from the first minute to the last," he said. "A great lad, a great defender. He doesn't let anything slip. Everything is settled with Chelsea. I expect him to remain our player until the end of the season. He's getting the minutes he wasn't getting at Chelsea."

  A key element in that plan is the loan arrangement with Chelsea with all parties having agreed the move would last through the season, giving Anselmino time to settle and the club certainty about his availability. 

• Schlotterbeck’s stalling clouds Dortmund's defence

  Anselmino’s breakthrough is valuable precisely because Dortmund’s defensive picture is unsettled. Nico Schlotterbeck remains under contract until 2027 but has stalled on signing an extension; Bayern and Liverpool have been linked, and internal offers, including significant pay rises and captaincy promises, have not yet convinced him to stay. Kovac acknowledged the limits of his influence: “I don't know to what extent I can influence things there – other than showing him appreciation. I do that every single day,” he said.

  That impasse matters. If Schlotterbeck departs or his focus wavers, Dortmund will rapidly move from the luxury of rotation to the pressure of replacement. The club’s short-term defensive depth is therefore contingent on two variables: Anselmino’s fitness and readiness to step up, and a timely decision from Schlotterbeck. Sporting director signals that they want clarity as soon as possible.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• AFP
  

  Kovac needs to focus on three aspects

  Kovac now faces three choices he must juggle in real time. First, manage Anselmino’s workload so the loanee can grow into a leading role without injury setbacks. Second, push for clarity on Schlotterbeck's contract extension that would stabilise the back line and allow continued rotation. Third, prepare tactical contingency allotting more minutes for Anselmino in a two-man centre-back pairing, temporary shifts to a back three, or prioritising a defensive signing in January if Schlotterbeck looks likely to leave.

  Dortmund will next face Leverkusen in the league before clashing with the same opponents in DFB Pokal's round of 16 on December 2.