Aston Villa lost their third game in a row on Wednesday evening, falling to defeat against Belgian side Club Brugge in the Champions League. Up until the loss at the Jan Breydel Stadium, Unai Emery’s side had a perfect record in the competition, including a famous 1-0 win over Bayern Munich.

It was the Belgian outfit who ultimately ended their winning run on the continent, and it was arguably a deserved victory, too. As per Sofascore, Brugge managed more shots, 13 to Villa’s eight, and created a better expected goals tally, with 1.38xG compared to just 0.42 for the Villans.

The game-winning moment was one of great controversy. Tyrone Mings made a critical error when he picked up the ball from Emi Martinez’s goal kick, presumably not realising the Argentine had taken it already. Brugge were awarded a penalty and captain Hans Vanaken fired past Martinez to win his side the game.

It was a disappointing evening for the Villans after such a fast start in the Champions League on their return to the competition, and there were some frustrating performances throughout from their side.

Villa’s worst performers vs. Brugge

On a poor night for his side, Tyrone Mings was one player who struggled in Belgium. Of course, he gave away the penalty, a surprising mistake that is not a common thing to see. The England international struggled outside of that, too. Normally so strong in duels, he was disappointing in those contests and struggled to impart himself on the game.

Indeed, his stats from the night reflect just how much of a poor performance it was from the Villa number five. Aside from the penalty he conceded, Mings won just one from three ground duels and did not win an aerial duel from either of the two he contested. He also gave away four fouls.

The Villa defender was not the only player who struggled in Belgium, however. Morgan Rogers also had a tough day at the office. The Manchester City academy man has been a key player for Emery this term, but he had little impact against Brugge.

He received a post-match rating of just 4/10 from GOAL journalist Harry Sherlock. He explained that the attacker ‘couldn’t get himself into the game’ at the Jan Breydel Stadium, describing it as a ‘bitterly disappointing evening’.

Although the likes of Mings and Rogers had a bad evening, there was someone who was arguably worse than both of them. That player is Leon Bailey.

Leon Bailey’s stats vs. Brugge

The Jamaican winger has sadly not had the same impact this season as he managed last term. After 28 goals and assists in 51 games in 2023/24, he has just three assists in 12 games so far this time around and is yet to find the back of the net.

Against Brugge on Europe’s biggest stage, it was very much a similar story. The winger had little impact on the overall game, and could not really get involved enough to swing momentum Villa’s way. Even when he did have the ball, the 27-year-old was sloppy in possession.

His stats from the game certainly back this theory up. He had 42 touches, fewer even than Martinez, and completed 26 of 31 of his passes, losing the ball 11 times. The Villa winger won just one duel and failed to complete any of his five crosses. It was a poor performance.

Bailey stats vs. Brugge
Stat	Number
Touches	42
Pass accuracy	82%
Passes completed	26/31
Number of times possession lost	11
Ground duels won	1/2
Crosses completed	0/5
Stats from Sofascore

Sherlock also gave him a 4/10 rating for his efforts in Belgium. He described Bailey’s performance as ‘peripheral’, explaining that the overall quality of his crosses ‘simply weren’t good enough’.

It was an underwhelming performance from the Jamaican winger, and it leaves Emery with a decision to make. He could well drop the winger from the team ahead of a huge clash against Liverpool at Anfield.

It is a game where the Spaniard will need his most in-form players on the pitch, and sadly with Bailey’s form in recent weeks, he may not make the cut.

With the likes of Jaden Philogene and Jacob Ramsey knocking on the door for a starting spot, Bailey might well be dropped in one of the most crucial games for Villa so far this season.

Fewer touches than Martinez: 4/10 Aston Villa star was just as bad as Mings

Aston Villa endured a terrible night in Belgium playing Club Brugge.

By
Kelan Sarson

Nov 7, 2024

تصاعدت الأزمة القانونية بين النجم الفرنسي كيليان مبابي، لاعب ريال مدريد، وناديه السابق باريس سان جيرمان.

وغادر مبابي صفوف باريس سان جيرمان في الصيف الماضي بعد 7 أعوام قضاها في الفريق، وانتقل إلى ريال مدريد في صفقة انتقال حر.

وهناك مستحقات مالية متأخرة من باريس سان جيرمان لمبابي، لم يدفعها النادي الفرنسي بعد، وتحول الأمر لساحات المحاكم بين الطرفين.

وبحسب ما ذكرت صحيفة “إندبندت” البريطانية، أكد فريق مبابي القانوني تنفيذ حجز احتياطي على قرابة 50 مليون جنيه إسترليني من حسابات باريس سان جيرمان، بسبب مستحقات مالية لم تُدفع لللاعب.

وبحسب محامي مبابي، فإن اللاعب يطالب بالحصول على 55 مليون يورو كرواتب متأخرة، تعود لفترة تواجده في صفوف باريس سان جيرمان قبل انتقاله إلى ريال مدريد الصيف الماضي.

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وقال توماس كلاي، أحد المحامين الممثلين لمبابي، إن المحكمة منحتهم الإذن بالحجز الاحتياطي، وتم تنفيذ القرار يوم الخميس.

ومن المقرر عقد جلسة استماع رسمية في 26 مايو المقبل للنظر في القضية بين مبابي وباريس سان جيرمان.

وأكدت المحامية الرئيسية لمبابي، دلفين فيرهايدن، أنهم قرروا التحرك بعد عام من المحاولات السلمية لحل النزاع، قائلة: “لقد مر عام منذ بداية هذه القصة، حاولنا طوال هذه الفترة إيجاد حل سلمي، ولكن دون جدوى، مبابي لم يحصل حتى الآن على مستحقاته، وقد حان وقت الهجوم”.

وأشار الفريق القانوني إلى أنه يعتزم طلب تدخل وزير الرياضة الفرنسي، وكذلك مخاطبة الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم (يويفا)، بسبب ما وصفوه بإخلال باريس سان جيرمان بالتزاماته التعاقدية، وهي خطوة قد تُهدد مشاركة النادي الفرنسي في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وتأتي هذه التطورات في وقت قد يشهد فيه مواجهة محتملة بين مبابي وفريقه السابق في دوري الأبطال، إذا تجاوز ريال مدريد وباريس سان جيرمان مرحلة الدور ربع النهائي.

Sixteen wickets fell on a pitch offering square turn and uncertain bounce from ball one, and India ended day one in a hugely dominant position. The packed crowd that thronged the Chinnaswamy Stadium may have expected their spin trio to get them to that position; instead, it was Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami who took five of the six Sri Lankan wickets to fall, bowling with high pace and skill, and extracting maximum value from a pink ball that swung and seamed just enough under lights to keep threatening both edges.This was still a spinner’s pitch, but R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel were still waiting to fully come into the game at the close of play. Sri Lanka’s spinners, meanwhile, failed entirely to capitalise on the help they were getting, bowling too full or too short and allowing India to score at more than four runs an over on a pitch where they had no business doing so. Shreyas Iyer led their charge to a first-innings total of 252, using his feet expertly and putting the spinners under immense pressure over the course of a counterattacking innings of 92.The innings was one of calculated aggression and daring forays down the pitch – he hit four sixes, one of which clattered into the roof of the stands beyond wide long-on – but it was also helped along by poor bowling, particularly from Lasith Embuldeniya and Praveen Jayawickrama.Two numbers from ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data summed up the contest between Iyer and Sri Lanka: of the 89 balls he faced from the spinners, he cut or pulled 14, and he only defended 11. Iyer told the broadcasters after the day’s play that he went in with defence far from his mind – “I just decided I couldn’t get out defending the ball because there was more chance getting out that way” – but Sri Lanka’s spinners hardly ever forced him to either.Iyer and Rishabh Pant – who clattered 39 off 26 balls – took away all momentum from Sri Lanka after India ended the first session at 93 for 4, but the truth was that Embuldeniya and, in particular, Jayawickrama had already let India off the hook, with the latter making a nervy start to his first spell of the series, spraying the ball short or down the leg side repeatedly.Mohammed Shami struck with his first ball, bowling Dimuth Karunaratne•BCCI

Embuldeniya extracted turn and bounce from the very first over he bowled, and soon had Rohit Sharma edging one to gully. Hanuma Vihari and Virat Kohli judged length beautifully during a third-wicket stand of 47, but neither could have done much about the balls that got them out – Jayawickrama nicking off the former with one that turned to follow one that didn’t, and Dhananjaya de Silva trapping the latter in front with a short ball that scooted through at shin height.The ball continued to misbehave through the rest of the innings, but the spinners’ inconsistency and Iyer’s opportunism ensured that India ended up with more than 250. Embuldeniya, Jayawickrama and de Silva combined to take 8 for 207 in 48.1 overs. The wicket balls were inevitable on this pitch; what they did in between put their team firmly on the back foot by the time they began their reply.Sri Lanka knew they would get no such largesse from India’s bowlers; what they may not have expected was the sheer potency of Bumrah and Shami. India began with pace from one end and spin from the other, but Bumrah, swinging the ball both ways, had both the right-handed Kusal Mendis and the left-handed Lahiru Thirimanne caught at third slip by the time he’d bowled 13 balls, so Ashwin gave way to Shami.And Shami struck with his very first ball, in trademark fashion, bolt-upright seam causing inward deviation to bowl the left-handed Dimuth Karunaratne through the gate. Shami struck again in his fourth over, getting one to skid through from just short of a length to strike the crease-bound de Silva’s back pad in front of the stumps. It took a certain amount of pleading from Shami and Pant to convince Rohit to review umpire Nitin Menon’s not-out decision, and vindication arrived when ball-tracking suggested the ball would have hit a good chunk of the top of the stumps. Shami’s skiddiness had prised out another victim.Angelo Mathews looked very good while his innings lasted, but on 43 he erred against Jasprit Bumrah•BCCI

When pace finally gave way to spin in tandem, Sri Lanka enjoyed perhaps their most comfortable – only in relative terms, because the bowling was still testingly accurate – spell with the bat, with Angelo Mathews and Charith Asalanka adding 22 in just 5.4 overs, with both batters showing a willingness to use their feet. But Asalanka’s readiness to step out also cost him his wicket, as he failed to reach the pitch of an Axar delivery and skewed it high and into mid-off’s hands.Mathews played perhaps the innings of the day, demonstrating a method of coping with the threat of Jadeja and Axar. He largely stayed leg-side of the ball against the two left-arm spinners, leaving his pads out of the way of the straight skidder, and playing with his hands close to his body and allowing himself to be beaten in case the ball turned big. He also used his reach to hit down the ground when anything was remotely in his arc, and made it harder for the spinners to settle into their lengths.Having done all that hard work and moved to 43, though, he made a fatal error against a not particularly threatening ball from the returning Bumrah, the lack of pace of his offcutter possibly causing him to jab away from his body. The ball bounced a little more than expected, caught his outside edge, and settled nicely in second slip’s hands. The dismissal was perfectly timed from India’s perspective, allowing them to begin day two with one lower-order batter at the crease.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Botafogo não poderá contar com as torcidas organizadas pelos próximos três meses. Duas organizações que representam o Glorioso nas arquibancadas informaram nesta sexta-feira que estão suspensas dos estádios por 90 dias. A causa foram os episódios após o clássico contra o Flamengo, no Carioca.

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+ Botafogo faz proposta por Fernando Marçal, lateral do Wolverhampton

Para relembrar: na derrota diante do Flamengo no fim de fevereiro, o árbitro Grazianni Maciel Rocha causou revolta da torcida ao não marcar um pênalti de Pedro no fim do primeiro tempo. Alguns torcedores arremessaram objetos na direção da equipe na saída do intervalo.

Ainda não é assinante do Cariocão-2022? Acesse www.cariocaoplay.com.br, preencha o cadastro e ganhe 5% de desconto com o cupom especial do LANCE!: GE-JK-FF-ZSW

O árbitro registrou os acontecimentos na súmula e as torcidas foram punidas. As TOs não poderão ir a jogos do Botafogo por 90 dias. Nas redes sociais, a “Torcida Jovem do Botafogo” e a “Loucos pelo Botafogo” se pronunciaram.

Torcida Jovem
​”A Torcida Jovem do Botafogo vem a público informar que, fomos surpreendidos na data de hoje, com um comunicado de que estamos suspensos de comparecer aos estádios pelo período de 90 dias.

Segundo o comunicado, a suspensão se deu pelo fato ocorrido no dia 23/02, na partida contra o clube da gávea, onde supostamente a TJB teria incitado a prática de violência contra a equipe de arbitragem no final do primeiro tempo.

Não concordamos com tal suspensão, até pelo fato da revolta da torcida do Botafogo ter sido geral e não das organizadas, tornando a identificação das pessoas no momento do acontecido bastante difícil. Os que foram identificados, foram prontamente retirados da arquibancada e nenhum deles era componente da Torcida Jovem.

Informamos a todos os membros e simpatizantes que nossos materiais de corpo (camisa, boné, bermuda e etc) estão LIBERADOS. A suspensão é somente para baterias, faixas e bandeiras.

O cumprimento da suspensão iniciou no dia 27/02.

Em breve estaremos de volta e mais fortes. NÓS SOMOS A TJB, A MAIS TRADICIONAL!”

​Loucos
​”LIBERDADE PRA TORCER

Mais uma vez, após mais um jogo contra o time da Gávea fomos punidos de forma arbitrária. Em 2019 já havíamos recebidos 30 dias de suspensão dos materiais após um jogo contra eles.

Dessa vez a punição são de 90 dias a contar de 27/02 devido aos objetos arremessados em campo pela torcida do Botafogo, quando o árbitro da partida tentava descer pro vestiário.

Ato este onde não havia NENHUM(A) integrante dos Loucos Pelo Botafogo envolvido(a), há diversas filmagens que comprovam isso.

Nosso histórico fala por si só. São 16 anos defendendo única e exclusivamente o BOTAFOGO. Pensando e vivendo somente arquibancada.

Com essa punição a torcida do BOTAFOGO fica sem material de arquibancada na semifinal do Carioca e numa eventual final. Além de sete rodadas do campeonato brasileiro também sem instrumentos, faixas e bandeiras.

A quem interessa uma punição tão extensa?

No mais, blusas e acessórios da torcida permanecerem LIBERADOS na arquibancada. O descontrole continuará acontecendo na mureta de sempre. Nunca nos calarão.

Desde 2006, a barra do BOTAFOGO!

#LiberdadePraTorcer”

Celtic have 13 days without a competitive match to worry about as they head into the final international break of the year, with the next one not until March 2025.

Brendan Rodgers’ side head into the break on a high after beating Kilmarnock 2-0 on Sunday to move to the top of the Scottish Premiership table on goal difference, ahead of Aberdeen in second.

The Hoops had also beat Bundesliga side RB Leipzig 3-1 in the Champions League at Parkhead in midweek, which came shortly after they had smashed Aberdeen 6-0 to make it through to the final of the League Cup.

These results show that Celtic have been in terrific form across all competitions of late and, because of that, the international break may not have come at the best time.

Hopefully, the break will not stop their momentum and they will be able to carry on from where they left off when they return to action against Hearts away from home in the Premiership.

One thing that Rodgers will be wary of during the break is injuries, as he will not want any of his stars to suffer setbacks whilst playing for their respective countries, and there is a concern over Adam Idah at the moment.

Latest on Adam Idah's fitness

The Republic of Ireland confirmed on Monday that the Celtic centre-forward has decided to withdraw from their squad for the upcoming matches due to an injury.

There was no mention of the nature or severity of the blow, however, but it is one that has prevented him from being able to link up with his country this week.

Idah did have to get patched up during the 2-0 win over Kilmarnock on Sunday after a blow to the head, but continued playing after that incident, and it remains to be seen whether or not this is a continuation of that issue.

The summer signing from Norwich City also had a scan on an ankle injury at the end of October, after a poor challenge from Motherwell’s Liam Gordon caused him some issues, but he has played three times since that clash at Fir Park.

Supporters may not know the severity of the injury until Rodgers sits down for his pre-match press conference next week ahead of the Hearts game, but – right now – it is a concern that Idah is potentially out with an injury.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast's In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

The Ireland international was brought in from Norwich for a reported fee of up to £9.5m and has largely played a back-up role to Kyogo Furuhashi so far this season.

Adam Idah's season in numbers

In the 2024/25 campaign, the 23-year-old centre-forward has contributed with five goals in 16 appearances in all competitions so far for the Scottish giants, starting five of those matches.

This comes after Idah racked up nine goals and two assists in 19 outings during the second half of the 2023/24 campaign on loan from Norwich, starting just seven of those games, which means that he would have to fire in four goals and two assists in his next three games to equal that return.

Despite his impressive form whilst on loan last season and the significant sum of money paid to bring him back on a permanent deal, Rodgers has preferred Kyogo Furuhashi as his first-choice centre-forward in the Premiership and the Champions League.

The Japan international has started eight of the 11 games in the Premiership and three of the four matches in the Champions League, which has made it hard for Idah to get into a rhythm.

Appearances

8

4

Starts

3

1

Goals

2

1

Assists

0

0

Big chances created

1

0

As you can see in the table above, the Irishman has struggled to provide regular quality in the final third of the pitch with his lack of minutes as a starter across both competitions.

Despite not being a regular starter, losing him to an injury would still come as a blow to the Hoops, as he is the only natural striker in the squad other than Kyogo.

Rodgers could, however, ease that blow, should Idah end up out of action for any games after the break, by finally unleashing Daniel Cummings, who has been in sensational form for the academy this year.

Why Daniel Cummings should be unleashed

The 18-year-old centre-forward has showcased his quality in front of goal at youth level since the start of the 2023/24 campaign and an injury for the Ireland international could provide him with an opportunity to shine.

Last season, Cummings fired in 12 goals in 19 appearances in the Lowland League for the B team, but struggled in Europe with a return of zero goals and one assist in five outings in the UEFA Youth League.

This term, however, the Scotland U17 international has scored four goals in four matches in the UEFA Youth League, including two goals against RB Leipzig at home last week.

Along with that, Cummings has also scored a staggering 14 goals in 12 appearances in the Lowland League, which takes his tally up to 18 goals in 16 games across those two competitions for the academy, as well as 26 goals in his last 31 Lowland League matches.

These statistics show that the teenage sensation, who has been dubbed a “hot-shot” by journalist Pete O’Rourke, has been ruthless and prolific for the B team, which has not been the case for Kyogo at first-team level.

Appearances

11

4

Goals

4

1

Big chances missed

12

2

Conversion rate

10%

14%

Assists

3

0

As you can see in the table above, the Japanese marksman has struggled with his finishing in both the Premiership and the Champions League this term, missing 14 ‘big chances’ in just 15 games.

This suggests that, if Idah is unavailable, Rodgers will need an alternative option if Kyogo is misfiring in a match and that is why Cummings must finally be unleashed for his senior debut, to reward him for his sublime academy form.

Imagine him & Engels: Celtic have interest in "exceptional" big-money star

Celtic are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the Premier League midfielder.

ByDan Emery Nov 12, 2024

The batter played six ODIs and 16 T20Is for India Women

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Feb-2022VR Vanitha, the batter who played six ODIs and 16 T20Is for India Women from 2014 to 2016, has retired from all forms of cricket. The 31-year-old made her announcement via Twitter, thanking the family members, friends, mentors and team-mates – including India players Jhulan Goswami and Mithali Raj – who had been part of her journey in the sport, as well as the two state associations – Karnataka and Bengal – that she represented in domestic cricket.

And this lovely innings comes to an END ! pic.twitter.com/ZJw9ieXHSO

— Vanitha VR || ವನಿತಾ.ವಿ.ಆರ್ (@ImVanithaVR) February 21, 2022