All posts by h79snht.top

وجه جيمي كاراجر، النجم السابق لفريق ليفربول، تحذيرًا إلى كتيبة يورجن كلوب قبل مواجهة مانشستر يونايتد المرتقبة الأسبوع المقبل.

ويلتقي الفريقان في إطار منافسات الجولة الثانية والثلاثين من الدوري الإنجليزي، على ملعب “الأولد ترافورد” يوم الأحد.

ويتصدر ليفربول حاليًا جدول الدوري الإنجليزي برصيد 70 نقطة، بفارق نقطتين عن آرسنال و3 نقاط عن مانشستر سيتي.

في حين أن مانشستر يونايتد تعرض لهزيمة درامية، أمس في الوقت القاتل، أمام تشيلسي بأربعة أهداف مقابل ثلاثة، ليصبح في المركز السادس.

ورغم ذلك، فإن كاراجر كان حريصًا على تحذير ليفربول قبل زيارة مانشستر يونايتد، وذلك من خلال ما كتبه عبر عموده في صحيفة “تليجراف” الإنجليزية.

وكتب كاراجر: “هناك ملعبان في كرة القدم العالمية يمثلان الأكثر تحديًا بالنسبة للاعب ليفربول، أحدهما هو أولد ترافورد والآخر هو جوديسون بارك (إيفرتون)”.

وأضاف: “كلتا الرحلتين تسيران في طريق كلوب وسيكون لهما تأثير كبير على ما إذا كان وداعه في الأنفيلد سينتهي بلقب دوري آخر”.

وواصل: “أولد ترافورد هو أحد تلك الملاعب التي تشعر فيها بثقل التاريخ بمجرد انطلاق المباراة، وتشعر بأجواء مختلفة أثناء محاولة اللعب لمدة 90 دقيقة، ولا تشعر أبدًا بالراحة، وذلك بغض النظر عن النتيجة”.

وأردف: “عادة ما تكون المباراة في الأنفيلد مليئة بالأجواء، كما لو كان الذهاب إلى هناك أكثر صعوبة بالنسبة للاعبي مانشستر يونايتد مقارنة بالعكس، أستطيع أن أؤكد لكم أن الأمر يعمل في كلا الاتجاهين”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. محمد صلاح عن لاعبي ليفربول: لست متعجرفًا.. كلهم سيئون وأنا الأفضل على الإطلاق

واستمر: “يكون الأنفيد مضغوطًا، يبدو وكأنه ساحة قمعية للاعبي مانشستر يونايتد عندما يكون الجمهور في أفضل حالاته”.

وأوضح: “أولد ترافورد يبدو أكبر – مثل ويمبلي تقريبًا – حيث توجد الكثير من المساحات التي يمكن للاعبي مانشستر يونايتد استغلالها، لا يمكنك أبدًا إيقاف اللعب خوفًا من أن يتغير زخم اللقاء في لحظة”.

وتابع: “وعندما يحدث ذلك، تصبح الأرجل أثقل، وتشعر وكأنك عاجزًا، ملعب أولد ترافورد هو أحد تلك الأماكن التي يتجمد فيها العديد من اللاعبين”.

واستمر: “لا يهم مدى سوء أداء أحد الفريقين أو الآخر في الأسابيع التي سبقت هذه المباراة، لقد رأينا ذلك مرات كافية الآن لندرك أن مانشستر يونايتد وليفربول على أرضهما يتمتعان دائمًا بالقدرة على إيجاد ساحة إضافية من السرعة والمزيد من القوة في كل تدخل، والمزيد من التصميم على ضمان عدم ترك أي شيء على أرض الملعب”.

وأكد: “سوف يجلب مشجعو أصحاب الأرض دائمًا ضجيجًا إضافيًا، أنا متأكد من أن لاعبي مانشستر يونايتد الأساسيين الذين حضروا الفوز في مباراة كأس الاتحاد الإنجليزي (ضد ليفربول قبل أسبوعين)، سيوافقون على أنهم شعروا وكأنهم كانوا يشاهدون فريقًا مختلفًا في ملعب مختلف عما شهدوه معظم، إن لم يكن كل، هذا الموسم”.

واستسرسل: “عندما تجتمع كل هذه العناصر معًا، لا يمكن التغلب على أي صعوبة، قبل مباراتي ليفربول ضد مانشستر يونايتد هذا الموسم، لا يسعني إلا أن أشعر أن بعض مشجعي ليفربول وقعوا في فخ الاعتقاد بأنه سيتعين عليهم فقط التغلب على فريق غير متسق وغير قوي، بدلاً من القلق بشأن تاريخ وتقاليد المباراة”.

Arsenal and manager Mikel Arteta are keen on signing Montpellier forward Elye Wahi but face stiff competition for his signature, according to reports out of France.

What's the latest Arsenal transfer news?

The Gunners have been very busy so far this transfer window as sporting director Edu attempts to back Arteta with marquee additions. Arsenal fell just short of the title to eventual treble-winners Man City last season, despite being in pole position for much of the 2022/2023 campaign.

In response, they've taken swiftly to the transfer market, having put pen to paper on deals for the likes of Kai Havertz from Chelsea, defender Jurrien Timber and a club-record £105 million deal for Declan Rice from West Ham United.

The latter player represents a significant signing for Arteta in particular, with the 24-year-old becoming England's most expensive ever player ahead of both Jack Grealish (Man City) and Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid).

More signings haven't been ruled out, either, as the north Londoners maintain an interest in Southampton starlet Romeo Lavia among others, Though reports suggest they're now looking more at outgoings to balance the books, it is believed Arteta and co are eyeing an electric young striker.

According to French news outlet Foot Mercato, both Arsenal and Newcastle hold an interest in signing Wahi from Montpellier this summer. It is believed the Frenchman is being targeted by both sides, but they may need to hurry and formalise that interest if they're serious.

Strasbourg, recently bought by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, will attempt to sign the 20-year-old who is also on the list of Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt – if the latter side manage to sell Randal Kolo Muani.

Sharing more on Arsenal's interest, the outlet explains that the north Londoners also have to make a sale before moving for Wahi.

Foot Mercato wrote:

"On the England side, Arsenal (which must sell Folarin Balogun) but also Newcastle (always on the lookout for a good shot) are also on the lookout,"

"Trained at the club, the seventh top scorer in Ligue 1 during the 2022-2023 financial year is, in any case, on the verge of a new challenge in his young career."

How good is Elye Wahi?

The promising young attacker, who bagged a brilliant 19 goals and five assists in 33 Ligue 1 appearances last season, has been praised by members of the media and club chiefs alike for his sky high potential.

"He was two or three years ahead of his peers in terms of what he could do," explains Pierre Ville, former Suresnes club president, to GOAL.

"He quickly outclassed them.

"During a tournament that we hosted, I saw him score a volley with the ball falling vertically out of the sky, like watching [Zinedine] Zidane in the 2002 Champions League final, but the boy was just 11 years old!"

Meanwhile, journalist Andrés Onrubia Ramos has called Wahi a "real beast" of a forward who will "definitely explode".

Ramos wrote on Twitter:

"Elye Wahi (2003). If he manages to polish the definition, we are facing a striker who is going to exceed ten goals per season. A real beast in space that, in addition, associatively also leaves interesting things. It should definitely explode."

By finishing a game against Sunrisers Hyderabad the best death-bowling team in the IPL, MS Dhoni reiterated his credentials as one of the game’s greatest

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Apr-2017

There are several reasons that make MS Dhoni one of cricket’s greatest finishers: his calmness under pressure, for example, or his determination that no target is beyond him. But there were other factors in play on Saturday, when he turned Rising Pune Supergiant’s failing chase on its head.Before that game, Dhoni’s lean form – 61 runs in 73 balls at a weak strike rate of 87.14 – had left Rising Pune Supergiant a worried franchise. Elsewhere, it prompted a debate on whether it was time for the Indian selectors to start thinking about blooding the young Rishabh Pant to replace Dhoni.According to Stephen Fleming, the Pune coach, the beauty of Dhoni has been to remain immune to the outside noise. “It was vintage wasn’t it,” he said the eve of Pune’s next match. “It was a performance that was befitting of a man who has the reputation of being a great finisher.”Prior to the match-winning 61 off 34 balls though, there was restlessness about Dhoni’s non-performance. Fleming reasoned that was only because everybody had grown used to him playing the role of finisher to perfection.”There has been a discussion around when was the last time he has played an innings like that,” Fleming said. “You have to remember playing an innings like that [is hard]. We had got a bit blasé about how special they were. But yesterday, he proved again that when he is in the mood, and has got the sight or the feel for the bowling, he is still the most destructive closer that the game has seen.”People were questioning his form, but certainly from the finishing point of view I will reiterate we have got a bit blasé because it was happening so often. We benefited from it at Chennai [Super Kings] a lot and people were yearning for a performance like that. And like all great players do, he delivered.”Dhoni, though, was aware that he was running out of time to reiterate those credentials. “Yes, [he was anxious],” Fleming said. “He was determined. He has been training a lot. He has certainly hit a lot of balls and it was all building up to an innings of substance. He desperately wants us to do well this year. After last year, we all felt that we needed more contributions from everybody. He, in particular, was the one to put his hand up. So he has been wanting to win a game. [Steven] Smith, as well, has been wanting to win a game and our big players want to contribute and one of our biggest did that yesterday which was great.”A key moment in the chase was when Dhoni came up against Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the 19th. At the time, Sunrisers seamer who had never given more than 10 runs in an over while bowling in the last five. But Dhoni took him for 19.”The calmness he shows in such situations is one of his greatest assets,” Fleming said. “And yesterday, it was to the fore. We thought that it was probably late and we had not got too much of the total to leave us with a good chase in the end, but he proved that, with the hitting and batting skills and the power that players have these days, no score is impossible and that puts so much pressure on the bowlers. And good bowlers too, Bhuvneshwar Kumar has been bowling very well. It was a good match-up and a good result for us.”

أعلن الاتحاد الأوروبي لكرة القدم “يويفا” عن اللاعبين المرشحين لجائزة أفضل لاعب في ذهاب ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.

وأسدل الستار على مباريات الدور ربع النهائي لدوري الأبطال، ليلة الأربعاء، بمواجهتين بين باريس سان جيرمان وبرشلونة، وأتلتيكو مدريد وبورسيا دورتموند.

باريس سان جيرمان تعرض للهزيمة على أرضه بثلاثية لهدفين من برشلونة، وأتلتيكو مدريد انتصر على ملعبه بهدفين لهدف أمام دورتموند.

وليلة الثلاثاء حسمت مباراة ريال مدريد ومانشستر سيتي بتعادل إيجابي بثلاثة أهداف لمثلها بملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”، وفي ملعب “الإمارات” تعادل آرسنال بهدفين لمثلهما أمام بايرن ميونخ.

اقرأ أيضًا | فيديو | 4 أهداف مرشحة لجائزة الأفضل في ذهاب ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا المرشحون لجائزة أفضل لاعب في ذهاب ربع نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا

مارتن أوديجارد (آرسنال)، وقد بلغت دقة تمريراته 88%.

أنطوان جريزمان (أتلتيكو مدريد)، وصنع هدف فريقه الثاني. 

فيل فودين (مانشستر سيتي)، وسجل هدفًا وبلغت دقة تمريراته 88%.

رافينها (برشلونة)، وأحرز هدفين في الفوز أمام باريس سان جيرمان.

Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, has defended his decision to allow key England players to participate in the IPL despite subsequent injury concerns

George Dobell30-May-2017

Andrew Strauss, the director of England cricket, has defended his decision to allow key England players to participate in the IPL despite subsequent injury concerns.Both Ben Stokes and Chris Woakes were obliged to sit-out games during the recent ODI series against South Africa after sustaining what have been described as minor knee and quad “niggles” respectively.But with the Champions Trophy starting in a couple of days, the decision to allow such important players to spend almost the entire IPL season in India is sure to come under more scrutiny. While the England team management remain confident both men will be fit for their opening Trophy match against Bangladesh on Thursday, there is a possibility that Stokes will be fit to play only as a specialist batsman.Strauss, however, is confident there are many benefits in IPL experience. Echoing comments made by Stokes and Woakes – and before them, the likes of Eoin Morgan and Kevin Pietersen – Strauss felt the experience in India could help.”The players who have gone over there have benefitted massively from the experience,” he said. “We’ve seen that already with the maturity that Ben is playing with the bat. And it looked like he’s improved his bowling at the death tremendously, too.”I think Chris Woakes was saying that to go there, to learn from the best players in the world and pit themselves against the best players in the world…they come back from that experience knowing they’re as good as anyone out there. The deep-rooted belief they get from that is massively important.”I’ve always seen the massive advantages of our players going out there. And that was on the back of us under-performing in white-ball cricket for year after year after year, and clearly falling behind some of the other teams.”There is no evidence that either injury was sustained in India. Indeed, you could argue that both men would have been required to play far more had they remained in England and been utilised by their counties. Moeen Ali, another of England’s allrounders, also missed the final ODI against South Africa with a minor groin strain and he did not play in the IPL.”That is the slight risk you take when you make people available for a chunk of cricket that is outside the international schedule,” Strauss said. “Injuries are part and parcel of life, but on one hand you weigh-up the potential risk and on the other you ask what they can potentially gain from that experience. That’s what forms the decision.”Thankfully I don’t think any of those injuries are of massive concern at this stage. It’s very much precautionary that they’re not playing at this stage. We want them to hit the ground running in the Champions Trophy.”Having said that, we’ve always got to balance that great opportunity for them with the schedules and workloads. And we just need to keep looking at this on a year by year and case by case basis. There will be times where it may be the smart thing not to play and at other times it might be the smart thing for them to play in the IPL.”Up until now, we’ve had mature, adult conversations with players about their availability. That’s why some of the guys came back for those Ireland internationals and some of the guys stayed at the IPL. And that’s what we’ll continue to do. When the opportunity is right for players to go – and when we feel they’ll benefit from that experience – we’ll try and make it possible.”While Stokes, Woakes and Jos Buttler were permitted to miss the two ODIs against Ireland in order to remain at the IPL this year, Strauss baulked at the suggestion that players would ever be allowed to miss a Test in similar circumstances.”Personally, I think that’s unlikely,” he said. “When you get to the stage where you’re missing Test matches to play in IPL that sends out a very strong message about where your priorities are and I would be uncomfortable with that.”It is a delicate balance Strauss must strike. As well as providing opportunities for players to benefit from experience in overseas leagues, he is also keen to help them benefit financially. And while there is no sense of the contractual wrangles that are currently clouding Australian cricket, as more money floods into the game, it is an issue on which the ECB will have to remain alert.”There are always negotiations between players and employers around what is a fair structure for salaries and pay,” Strauss said. “Our current agreement is tied in with our TV deal that runs till 2019. There will be conversations over the next couple of years to ensure we put together something that’s fair and everyone is happy with.”I’m in no way commenting on what’s happening in Cricket Australia, because I don’t know the ins and outs of it. But I’d be very surprised if anything other than a full-strength team turned out at the Gabba. I would have thought the Ashes will focus people’s minds to make sure they get a conclusion to where they are at the moment.”Then I’d like to think we can have some sort of mature conversations with TEPP [The Team England Player Partnership; the branch of the PCA that negotiates on behalf of England players] and the players themselves early enough to prevent us going down that sort of route. And as much as possible, behind closed doors and in the right sort of spirit.”What I’m focused on is making sure the relationships between ourselves as the national governing body and our players who are contracted to us are as good as they possibly can be. That’s the best way of ensuring that those conversations happen in good faith.”

Manchester United have finally agreed to a new long-term deal for star forward Marcus Rashford, and the news has seemingly gone down very well with fans such as The Football Terrace host Terry Flewers, who thinks "there is more to come from Marcus Rashford."

Marcus Rashford signs a new contract

This summer has been a strange one for United fans. Even with the impossible-to-ignore takeover saga hanging over everything the club has done, they have been incredibly proactive in the transfer market thus far.

The first deal that was sorted was the signing of Chelsea academy star and former fan favourite Mason Mount, who joined the Red Devils for a fee of around £55m.

Next, the club turned their attention to the goalkeeping department, specifically Erik ten Hag's former number one, Andre Onana. That deal looks to be now all but complete, for a fee said to be in the region of £47m.

And now, with reports the club will look to bring in exciting young striker Rasmus Hojlund, they have also announced a new long-term deal with club star, Rashford.

With his previous deal set to expire next year, pinning him down to a new one was immensely important to ten Hag's project, something that has been reflected in the Manchester-born star's new wage, a whopping £325,000-a-week.

Unsurprisingly, United fans have been overwhelmingly pleased with the recent developments, especially The Football Terrace host Terry Flewers.

He expressed his excitement at the news on his YouTube channel, saying:

"I'm over the moon. I'm over the moon for a number of reasons, the first one being he got his head down and got himself back, not just to his best, but beyond his previous best.

"I still think there is more to come from Marcus Rashford. I still think there are more goals, more assists, more trophies for him to help us win. I'm also proud of the way ten Hag handled this. He rated him, he knew that he could get back to that level, but did not allow him to get a new deal until he had proven it.

"That's the thing in life; theory versus reality. In theory, we should have given Rashford a new deal last year, but he had to prove in reality that he could get back to the best levels. And right now, in my personal opinion, there are no attainable left-hand-sided forwards that are better than Marcus Rashford."

How good was Marcus Rashford last season?

Despite enjoying spells of brilliance for Manchester United over the seven years since his debut for the club, Rashford has often been criticised for being too inconsistent. Well, last season, he proved any doubters wrong, as he was consistently brilliant.

According to WhoScored, the 25-year-old dynamo averaged a seriously impressive match rating of 7.08 across his 35 Premier League games last season, scoring 17 goals and providing five assists to his teammates, meaning he produced a goal contribution every one-and-a-half games – elite.

His underlying numbers are equally outstanding and just go to show that his output last year was not fortunate but genuinely reflective of his actual ability.

According to FBref, who compare players in a similar position across Europe's top five leagues, the "incredible" forward sits in the top 1% for non-penalty goals and non-penalty expected goals, the top 2% for total shots, the top 8% for touches in the oppositions penalty area and the top 8% for expected goals and assists, all per 90.

His exploits last year clearly impressed his five-time Champions League-winning teammate Casemiro, who said:

"What a spectacular player. I'm enjoying so much playing with him. He gives us a lot of energy. I'm delighted to play with him. And I' sure if he stays like this, with the conditions he has, he can easily be a top five player because he's exceptional."

With his future secure, will we see the Boyhood United fan reach an even higher level next season? It certainly feels like a possibility.

Chelsea are "tempted" to bring in another number nine this summer and have discussed the possibility of making a move for Dusan Vlahovic, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Is Vlahovic joining Chelsea?

Since Todd Boehly's arrival as Chelsea's new owner, the Blues' approach to the transfer market has been fairly disastrous.

Having spent enormously on a mass of players, Chelsea have been preoccupied this summer with trimming their ridiculously large squad, and it is still impossible to predict what new boss Mauricio Pochettino's line-up will look like on the opening day of the Premier League season.

Chelsea's scattergun approach to signing talented young players on huge contracts has backfired significantly and Pochettino is the man tasked with picking up the pieces.

Despite having spent a vast fortune on players in recent windows, Chelsea still mysteriously ended up without an orthodox striker last season, one of the reasons they slumped to a 12th-placed league finish.

However, Pochettino is hoping to remedy that situation in the market and, despite having already signed Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson this summer, journalist Jones believes that the Blues could target Juventus' Vlahovic to ease their goalscoring woes.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jones said: "I know some people are ruling out of Vlahovic and they say that nothing is happening there. But Vlahovic has definitely been explored by Chelsea and conversations have definitely happened in terms of that.

"The fact that they are even contemplating that, tells you they're tempted to go and sign another striker by the end of this transfer window."

Nkunku can play as a striker but is not a typical number nine, despite his prowess in front of goal. Meanwhile, Jackson is just 22-years-old and may need significant time to adjust to life in a new league at such a young age.

Therefore, Vlahovic, who has been called a "big-name striker", could be an astute piece of business and is a player with a wealth of experience despite being just 23-years-old.

The Serbian international has managed 72 goals in 171 matches for Juventus and Fiorentina in Italy but has struggled to fully settle at the Allianz Stadium in Turin since arriving halfway through the 2021/22 season.

A fee of around €80m would potentially be enough to sign Vlahovic, a figure which is unlikely to put off free-spending Chelsea. The striker would offer Pochettino a more traditional number nine than what the Blues currently have at their disposal and the forward's physicality and clinical edge would make him a great fit in the Premier League.

How good is Vlahovic?

Based on his performances last season in a Juventus side that struggled on and off the pitch, there isn't an enormous amount to get excited about with Vlahovic.

He scored just 14 goals and provided four assists in 42 matches, also suffering from injuries at times throughout the campaign, and only managed the same amount of Serie A strikes as wantaway Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku.

However, looking at his statistics during the 2020/21 season – his last full campaign with Fiorentina – it is clear to see that Vlahovic is a top-quality centre-forward.

Compared to other strikers that season in Serie A per 90 minutes, he ranked in the top eight percent for goals (netting 21 in 37 games) and top 12% for aerials won, highlighting his physical presence up top and eye for goal.

Signing Vlahovic could be a risk given his lack of consistency in the black and white of Juventus, but if the forward can recreate the form he has exhibited in the past with Fiorentina and Serbia, then Pochettino would be foolish not to consider the young striker.

Joe Root finished his first day as England’s captain on an unbeaten 184 as England fought back from a poor start at Lord’s to finish in a strong position

The Report by Alan Gardner06-Jul-2017
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsWin first toss: check. Score first hundred as captain: check. Bat through to the close: check. Joe Root stepped into the breach with England in a familiar spot of bother on the first day of the series and produced an equally familiar response to repel South Africa at Lord’s. If Root might have preferred his scriptwriters to provide a more solid base from which to begin his work in charge of the Test side, he could have barely a quibble with how his own day progressed.South Africa, on top after a morning session in which they claimed four wickets, contributed generously to Root’s cause. He was missed twice early on in his innings and then, during the evening session stumped off a no-ball; no sooner had Keshav Maharaj’s mistake been broadcast on the big screen, then Root was heading back to his crease for more. His next delivery was tapped through the covers for a single to bring up his 150, as cries of “Rooooot!” rolled down from the stands once again.On a glorious day with all the Lord’s trimmings, Root forged century stands with Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali to ensure England’s new regime got off to an fittingly exuberant start. Vernon Philander claimed three early wickets but mistakes crept into the South African effort. Root was not the only England batsman to benefit from being dismissed off a no-ball, with Stokes reprieved by an on-field call as Morne Morkel overstepped by a distance, also from the Nursery End.Stokes was not able to capitalise fully, top-edging a pull off Kagiso Rabada after tea to depart in frustration for 56. Rabada was the unlucky bowler on both occasions during the morning session with Root was given left-offs on 5 and 16; when he thought he might have had Root taken in the gully, after raising his fifty, South Africa’s review only succeeded in proving it had come off the batsman’s helmet (with Rabada’s boot right on the margin of delivering another no-ball).Having dug in to reach lunch on a dogged 33 and then steadily battled through to take tea on 79, Root moved through the gears during the evening session. Twice Rabada was left huffing as Root steered fours to third man to move into the 90s, before a dab for three off Maharaj made him the fourth England captain in succession to start his tenure with a century. His next fifty came off just 43 balls, including lofting Maharaj down the ground for six, and by the close he had skipped to the highest score by an England captain in their first Test.Things had not started so well, as England slipped to 49 for 3 and then 76 for 4 – a change of leader failing to imbue any greater degree of top-order stability – before Root and Stokes, newly installed as vice-captain, began the counter, adding exactly 100 together during the middle session. It was a similar response to when the effervescent pair lifted England from trouble on this ground against New Zealand two years ago, although they were made to work harder for their runs against a South Africa attack that was always threatening, despite the indiscipline.Stokes got off the mark with a clipped four through midwicket from his first delivery, and showed his touch with a crisp straight drive off Morkel after lunch, but his innings was an unusually watchful affair. He planted Maharaj into the pavilion benches midway through the afternoon and was a little fortunate to clear mid-on running back when he had 26; the scoreboard error that arose from Morkel’s no-ball when he had 44 led to Stokes twice acknowledging his fifty, the second time accompanied by a sheepish grin.England cracked on even after Stokes fell. With Moeen contributing a number of flowing drives at the other end, pushing his average at No. 7 towards 100, England’s sixth-wicket pair added 166 unbroken during a lengthy evening session. South Africa visibly seemed to flag as 38 runs bled from seven overs against the second new ball, with Root closing in on a double-century.Root had gained his first slice of luck by winning the toss on a pristine morning, and so it continued. His second scoring shot was an uppercut over the slips, suggesting his attacking instincts would remain untempered, before an attempted hook off Rabada cleared fine leg, where the substitute fielder Aiden Markram was standing in from the rope and the ball bounced behind him for four, and then a thick-edged drive at the same bowler hit the fingertips of JP Duminy in the gully. Authorities as diverse as Napoleon and Richie Benaud have noted the importance of a good leader being lucky.His decision to move back down to No. 4 (where his average is almost ten points higher) was immediately justified, though Gary Ballance’s return to Test cricket at first drop was less successful. Although Ballance struck a couple of attractive cover drives for four, South Africa’s judicious use of the short ball ensured he remained camped in the crease, which was to be his undoing when struck in front by a delivery from Morkel that nipped into him. A burned review added to England’s sense of waste.England’s Test summer had been launched amid nervous excitement and the clatter of early wickets, as South Africa immediately set about demonstrating why they are such indomitable tourists in this format. Philander removed both openers in his first spell, then switched to the Nursery End to trap Jonny Bairstow lbw shortly before lunch – Bairstow chose not to turn to the DRS, which was England’s first good review of the morning.The pitch, which had been cut first thing but retained a green tinge, demonstrated encouraging pace and carry from the start. “If there’s any moisture in the pitch, it’s going to be in this session,” Dean Elgar, South Africa’s stand-in captain, had suggested at the toss. That appeared a shrewd assessment, and there was also some turn on show – notably when Root walked past the delivery from Maharaj – but errors in the field took the shine off South Africa’s early optimism.It was 1983 the last time an English Test summer began as late as July but Lord’s was creaking into life as Root walked to the middle in his blazer to meet his obligations as England’s 80th Test captain, after a five-month wait. His predecessor, Alastair Cook, took his place back in the ranks but did not last long in his first Test innings without having to contend with the burden of captaincy. The first ball of Philander’s second over was by no means his most probing, a touch short and wide, but it drew Cook into an uncharacteristic fiddle off the back foot that sent a thin edge to the keeper.Philander claimed a five-wicket haul on his previous Test appearance on the ground, five years ago, and soon had his second this time around – though it owed more than a little to the (mis)judgment of both Keaton Jennings and umpire S Ravi. Philander rapped Jennings squarely on the pad, having straightened the ball off the seam, and Ravi raised his finger; Jennings then elected not to review after consulting with Ballance. Both decisions were proven to be erroneous, with Hawk-Eye suggesting the ball pitched fractionally outside leg and would have missed leg stump.It wasn’t the most auspicious of starts but, not for the first time, Root was working to his own script.

حسم فريق الترجي التونسي مواجهة ذهاب دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا أمام صن داونز الجنوب إفريقي، بهدف دون رد، اليوم السبت.

واستضاف “الملعب الأولمبي حمادي العقربي برادس” مباراة الترجي وصن داونز، في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

واستطاع المحترف البرازيلي في فريق الترجي يان ميديروس ساسي أن يسجل هدف الفوز أمام صن داونز في الدقيقة 41 من عمر الشوط الأول، ليحسم مواجهة الذهاب للفريق التونسي.

وكان فريق صن داونز سجل هدفًا أمام الترجي في الدقيقة 37 من عمر الشوط الأول، لكن تم إلغاءه بسبب وجود تسلل على لاعب الفريق الجنوب إفريقي. هدف صن داونز الملغي أمام الترجي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

طالع | جناح الأهلي يتصدر القائمة.. كاف يختار 4 لاعبين يجب متابعتهم في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا

ومن المقرر أن تلعب مواجهة الإياب بين الفريقين في جنوب إفريقيا يوم الجمعة المقبل الموافق 26 أبريل.

وكان الترجي تأهل إلى دور نصف النهائي بعد الفوز على أسيك أبيدجان الإيفواري في دور ربع النهائي بركلات الترجيح، عقب انتهاء مباراتي الذهاب والإياب بالتعادل السلبي.

بينما فريق صن داونز تأهل إلى دور قبل النهائي بعدما تخطى عقبة يانج أفريكانز التنزاني بنتيجة 3-2 في دور ربع النهائي، بركلات الترجيح أيضًا.

ويلاقي المتأهل من مباراة الترجي وصن داونز، الفائز من الأهلي ومازيمبي، في المباراة النهائية لـ دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

تجدر الإشارة إلي أن الأهلي كان قد تعادل مع مازيمبي سلبيًا، في المباراة التي أقيمت عصر اليوم السبت في الكونغو، على أن تقام مواجهة العودة يوم الجمعة 26 أبريل بالقاهرة. هدف فوز الترجي التونسي على صن داونز في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

Lionel Messi is one of the greatest players of all time. That is an undisputable football fact. And, you'd think that certain abilities come with that.

There's an assumption that the greatest players can make the best coaches, or can have the best eye for spotting talent. Based on Messi's 2015 predictions, however, it's safe to say that, unless anything has dramatically changed in the last few years, the Barcelona legend will not be transitioning into a scout when it's time to call it a day on the pitch.

With that said, we've taken a look at the 10 players that the forward tipped for success in Adidas' 'Backed by Messi' campaign, and just where their careers have gone since.

11 Khiry Shelton

You'd be forgiven for not knowing who Khiry Shelton is, but it seems as though Messi knew the name well in 2015, tipping the then-New York City star for success.

Backed by one of football's greats, Shelton had the chance to prove Messi right, but the backing was more of a curse than anything else, as the American failed to reach his potential.

Attempting to get his career back on track in America by swapping New York for Sporting Kansas City, Shelton never really got going, even when attempting to succeed in Germany at SC Paderborn.

10 Gyasi Zardes

This one came as less of a surprise. Gyasi Zardes was the main man at LA Galaxy at the time. Things slowly fizzled out for the American, however, as the chances of a move to Europe grew slimmer and slimmer, resulting in an MLS stay.

If you were to look at Zardes' career from an MLS perspective alone, then you'd say that he did realise his potential, having played for the likes LA Galaxy, Columbus Crew, and his current club Austin FC. But we can't help but think about what could have been when it comes to a move into European football.

9 James Wilson

Messi has gone three for three here in naming players who have ultimately failed to live up to expectations, further hammering home that his backing must have been more of a curse than a blessing.

James Wilson graduated from the Manchester United academy, and things never really got going from there, with failed loan spells stopping his career in its tracks completely.

As of right now, the man that Messi tipped for great things is without a club at the age of 27.

8 Rony Lopes

At one point, it looked as though Rony Lopes would become the player that Messi believed he could turn into, after leaving Manchester City to reignite his career at AS Monaco, where he scored 15 goals in the 2017/18 season.

Making the move to Sevilla just a year later, however, Lopes has not been able to find the same form since, playing a bit-part role in La Liga, and being sent out on loan on more than one occasion.

7 Timo Werner

Messi can't be blamed for jumping on the Timo Werner hype train in 2015. After all, the German was one of the standout players in the Bundesliga for RB Leipzig at the time. The only way was up.

One disastrous move to Chelsea later, though, and Werner has seen his career return to square one at Leipzig, where he regained some form, scoring 16 goals last season.

At 27, the forward still has time to prove Messi right.

6 Aleksei Miranchuk

Messi's predictions were well-rounded, we'll give him that, opting to back Aleksei Miranchuk who was at Lokomotiv Moscow at the time. Alas, like many on this list, Miranchuk is yet to live up to his potential.

Since moving to Serie A side Atalanta, the midfielder's career has stalled, with a loan move to Torino only showing glimpses of what he is capable of last season.

It remains to be seen whether he can establish himself in the Atalanta side.

5 Maxwel Cornet

Maxwel Cornet is an interesting one, because the winger has shown signs that he has the ability to perform at the top level throughout his career. The problem just seems to be consistency.

At Lyon when Messi backed him for great things, Cornet's later move to Burnley was a success, even as the Clarets went down.

Since swapping Burnley for West Ham United, though, he has struggled to reach the expected heights.

4 Kenedy 3

Kenedy wasn't the first young player to struggle at Chelsea, and he certainly won't be the last. The winger never really broke into the side at Stamford Bridge, despite being tipped for great things, making just 30 appearances for the Blues.

Loan moves didn't help, either, and he now plies his trade in Spain for Real Valladolid.

2 Accuriso Bentivegna

Even with Paulo Dybala next to Accuriso Bentivegna, Messi backed the forward. As it turns out, however, the World Cup winner backed the losing horse.

Bentivegna, eight years later, now plays for Juve Stabia, having failed to live up to his potential in the Palermo first-team, and eventually ending up in Serie C.