Clearly Hampered Nadal Loses in 2nd Round of Australian Open

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts while in action against Mackenzie McDonald of the USA during their match at the 2023 Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2023. (EPA)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts while in action against Mackenzie McDonald of the USA during their match at the 2023 Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2023. (EPA)
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Clearly Hampered Nadal Loses in 2nd Round of Australian Open

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts while in action against Mackenzie McDonald of the USA during their match at the 2023 Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2023. (EPA)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts while in action against Mackenzie McDonald of the USA during their match at the 2023 Australian Open tennis tournament at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia, 18 January 2023. (EPA)

A clearly hurting Rafael Nadal lost his second-round match at the Australian Open to Mackenzie McDonald 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 on Wednesday, abruptly ending his title defense and bid for a record-extending 23rd Grand Slam trophy.

It was not immediately clear what was bothering the 35-year-old Spaniard, but he pulled up awkwardly at the end of a point late in the second set against the 65th-ranked McDonald.

The No. 1-seeded Nadal was visited by a trainer on the sideline, then left the court for a medical timeout. Up in the stands, his wife wiped away tears. Nadal returned to play, but was physically compromised and not his usual indefatigable self.

“He's an incredible champion. He’s never going to give up, regardless of the situation, so even closing it out against a top guy like that is always tough,” said McDonald, a 27-year-old American who won NCAA championships in singles and doubles for UCLA in 2016. “I kept focusing on myself in the end and got through.”

This is Nadal’s earliest exit at any Grand Slam tournament since bowing out in the first round in Melbourne in 2016 against No. 45 Fernando Verdasco. That also made Verdasco the lowest-ranked player to defeat Nadal in Australia — until, of course, McDonald on Wednesday.

McDonald has never been past the fourth round at a major tournament. In his lone previous matchup against Nadal, at the 2020 French Open, McDonald won a total of just four games in a lopsided loss.

A year ago, Nadal won the Australian Open for the second time to earn his 21st major championship, then raised his total to 22 — the most for a man — at Roland Garros.

He is currently ranked No. 2 but was the top seed at Melbourne Park because No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz is sitting out the Australian Open with a bad leg.

Nadal has dealt with a series of health issues recently.

He needed pain-killing injections for his left foot on the way to winning the French Open last June, pulled out of Wimbledon last July before the semifinals because of a torn abdominal muscle and also dealt with a problem with rib cartilage in 2022.

Nadal’s exit drains the tournament of yet more star power. In addition to his absence and Alcaraz’s, 2022 Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios pulled out because his left knee needs arthroscopic surgery, four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is off the tour while she is pregnant, two-time major champ Simona Halep is serving a provisional doping ban and Venus Williams is hurt.

That is all on top of this: The 2023 edition of the Australian Open is the first Grand Slam tournament since Serena Williams and Roger Federer announced their retirements.

Nadal arrived in Melbourne with an 0-2 record this season, making him 1-6 dating to September, when he lost to Frances Tiafoe in the fourth round of the US Open.

Even during a first-round victory Monday, a four-setter against a cramping Jack Draper, Nadal never quite seemed to be at his chase-every-ball, put-every-high-spin-shot-on-target best. He looked, somehow, his age.

The same was the case from the outset against McDonald.

“I’m really happy with how I started that match. I thought I was playing really well, serving great, returning well, too,” McDonald said. “So I was really taking it to him.”



Struggling French Club Lyon Fires Coach after Less Than 3 Months in Charge

(FILES) Lyon's French head coach Fabio Grosso looks on during the French L1 football match between Brest and Lyon at the Francis Le Ble stadium in Brest, western France on September 23, 2023. (Photo by Fred TANNEAU / AFP)
(FILES) Lyon's French head coach Fabio Grosso looks on during the French L1 football match between Brest and Lyon at the Francis Le Ble stadium in Brest, western France on September 23, 2023. (Photo by Fred TANNEAU / AFP)
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Struggling French Club Lyon Fires Coach after Less Than 3 Months in Charge

(FILES) Lyon's French head coach Fabio Grosso looks on during the French L1 football match between Brest and Lyon at the Francis Le Ble stadium in Brest, western France on September 23, 2023. (Photo by Fred TANNEAU / AFP)
(FILES) Lyon's French head coach Fabio Grosso looks on during the French L1 football match between Brest and Lyon at the Francis Le Ble stadium in Brest, western France on September 23, 2023. (Photo by Fred TANNEAU / AFP)

Italian coach Fabio Grosso has been fired by Lyon after less than three months in charge of the struggling seven-time French champion.
Grosso was fired after just eight league games in charge, having being hired in September as a replacement for Laurent Blanc with the mission to put the team back on track.
Blanc left following a bad start to the season, with Lyon in last place with only one point from four games. The club remains bottom of the league after Grosso's departure, with seven points from 12 matches and just one win, The Associated Press reported.
The 46-year-old Grosso, who played 75 games for Lyon from 2007-09, had a contract until the end of the season. He was injured in October when the Lyon team bus was attacked by fans throwing stones after a game at Marseille, which left him bleeding from a cut to his face.
Lyon said Pierre Sage would be in charge of preparations for Lyon's match at Lens on Saturday.


Colombia Judge Orders Prison for Suspects in Kidnapping of Liverpool Player Parents

This photo released by Colombia's Football Federation shows Liverpool soccer player Luis Diaz, left, reuniting with his father Luis Manuel Díaz, days after his father was released from his kidnappers, in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. (Colombia Football Federation via AP)
This photo released by Colombia's Football Federation shows Liverpool soccer player Luis Diaz, left, reuniting with his father Luis Manuel Díaz, days after his father was released from his kidnappers, in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. (Colombia Football Federation via AP)
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Colombia Judge Orders Prison for Suspects in Kidnapping of Liverpool Player Parents

This photo released by Colombia's Football Federation shows Liverpool soccer player Luis Diaz, left, reuniting with his father Luis Manuel Díaz, days after his father was released from his kidnappers, in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. (Colombia Football Federation via AP)
This photo released by Colombia's Football Federation shows Liverpool soccer player Luis Diaz, left, reuniting with his father Luis Manuel Díaz, days after his father was released from his kidnappers, in Barranquilla, Colombia, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. (Colombia Football Federation via AP)

Two suspects in the kidnapping of the parents of Liverpool soccer player Luis Díaz were ordered sent to prison by a judge, Colombia’s Prosecutor’s Office said Wednesday, accusing one of the men of being the link to a person close to the family who provided information about the victims.
Andrés Alcires Bolívar and Marlon Rafael Brito are also accused of maintaining contacts with members of the National Liberation Army, or ELN, in the planning and execution of the Oct. 28 abductions in Barrancas, a town in La Guajira in Colombia’s northeast of Colombia, The Associated Press reported.
Díaz’s parents - Luis Manuel Díaz Jiménez and Cilenis Marulanda — were kidnapped by a unit of the ELN at a gas station by armed men on motorcycles.
Marulanda was rescued by police a few hours later, but Díaz’s father was held captive for 12 days by the ELN. The father was released on Nov. 9 near the Serranía del Perijá, bordering Venezuela, where facilitators from the Catholic Church and the United Nations had flown by helicopter.
Prosecutors said in a statement that Alcires Bolivar was a merchant in La Guajira who had been contacted by a member of the ELN to help him kidnap Díaz’s parents. He allegedly went to Barrancas to convince “a person who was close to the Díaz family” to participate in the kidnapping and to learn about the victims’ routines.
Rafael Brito allegedly helped in the logistics of the kidnapping, including planning the deception under which Díaz Jiménez and Marulanda were abducted at the gas station. Prosecutors say the soccer player’s parents went there to fulfill a promise of support for the candidacy of a relative who was running for the Barrancas Council.
The two men have denied involvement in the kidnapping and other charges.
Díaz plays from the English club Liverpool and Colombia’s national soccer team.
After the kidnapping, special forces were deployed to search for Díaz’s father in a mountain range that straddles Colombia and Venezuela. Police also offered a $48,000 reward for information that led to him.
The ELN acknowledged the kidnapping, saying it was a mistake and that its top leadership had ordered the father’s release.


37th America's Cup: Second Preliminary Regatta Kicks off in Jeddah

The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, presented by NEOM, commenced on Wednesday on the Red Sea in Jeddah, SPA said on Thursday.
The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, presented by NEOM, commenced on Wednesday on the Red Sea in Jeddah, SPA said on Thursday.
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37th America's Cup: Second Preliminary Regatta Kicks off in Jeddah

The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, presented by NEOM, commenced on Wednesday on the Red Sea in Jeddah, SPA said on Thursday.
The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, presented by NEOM, commenced on Wednesday on the Red Sea in Jeddah, SPA said on Thursday.

The second preliminary regatta of the 37th America’s Cup, presented by NEOM, commenced on the Red Sea in Jeddah, SPA said on Thursday.
Six teams are competing in the regatta, which is powered by the Saudi Sailing Federation in cooperation with the Ministry of Sport.
Tom Slingsby, Helmsman for the NYYC American Magic team and the male recipient of the 2023 Rolex World Sailor of the Year award, highlighted the significance of the preliminary regatta in further bolstering the sailors’ confidence in their skills and abilities.
The regatta provides the sailors with a clear roadmap to secure victory in the 37th America's Cup in Barcelona, Slingsby said. By identifying weaknesses and learning from past mistakes in Vilanova i la Geltrْ, Spain, and Jeddah, they can enhance their overall performance, he added.
Kevin Peponnet from the French Orient Express Racing Team eagerly anticipates the races on Thursday, particularly due to the ideal sailing conditions in Jeddah during this time of the year.
He commended the well-coordinated organization and the warm reception extended by the Saudi Sailing Federation and the Ministry of Sport.
The official races of the regatta will take place from Thursday to Saturday, and the team with the highest number of points will be awarded the NEOM Cup.


Barca Have Shown ‘Winning Mentality’ in Champions League, Says Xavi 

FC Barcelona's striker Joao Felix celebrates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the UEFA Champions League group H soccer match between FC Barcelona and FC Porto, in Barcelona, Spain, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's striker Joao Felix celebrates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the UEFA Champions League group H soccer match between FC Barcelona and FC Porto, in Barcelona, Spain, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
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Barca Have Shown ‘Winning Mentality’ in Champions League, Says Xavi 

FC Barcelona's striker Joao Felix celebrates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the UEFA Champions League group H soccer match between FC Barcelona and FC Porto, in Barcelona, Spain, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
FC Barcelona's striker Joao Felix celebrates after scoring the 2-1 goal during the UEFA Champions League group H soccer match between FC Barcelona and FC Porto, in Barcelona, Spain, 28 November 2023. (EPA)

Barcelona manager Xavi said his side have shown a winning mentality in the Champions League after they sealed their return to the knockout stages of Europe's elite club competition for the first time in three seasons on Tuesday.

Joao Cancelo and Joao Felix scored in each half to earn Barcelona a 2-1 comeback win at home against Porto that took the Group H leaders to 12 points from five matches.

A draw against already-eliminated Antwerp in their final group fixture will be enough to seal top spot.

"We needed this after two years," Xavi said. "We reacted well and displayed a winning mentality on several occasions.

"This was an important step in the right direction. It means a lot to the club.

"That's the first of our targets achieved in the Champions League. It has calmed us down and boosted our confidence, especially that of the players."

Tuesday's win comes on the heels of a disappointing 1-1 draw at Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga, a result which saw them slip to fourth, four points behind arch-rivals Real Madrid.

"The feeling is of happiness and of doing things well. We are progressing. But I don't feel liberated, I feel happy," the Spaniard said.

"You never solve all the problems at Barcelona, but it's a day to congratulate the team and the club for advancing.

"There are many things to improve, of course. We have to be humble. We have done some things very well, others not so," said Xavi, adding that he hoped the victory would be a turning point.

Barca next host Atletico Madrid in the league on Sunday.


Dortmund Proved Doubters Wrong by Escaping ‘Group of Death’, Says Terzic 

Dortmund's players celebrate after winning the Champions League group F soccer match between AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP)
Dortmund's players celebrate after winning the Champions League group F soccer match between AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP)
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Dortmund Proved Doubters Wrong by Escaping ‘Group of Death’, Says Terzic 

Dortmund's players celebrate after winning the Champions League group F soccer match between AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP)
Dortmund's players celebrate after winning the Champions League group F soccer match between AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023. (AP)

Borussia Dortmund had proved the doubters wrong by securing qualification from a Champions League group of heavy hitters, head coach Edin Terzic said, after his side won 3-1 at AC Milan on Tuesday.

Drawn alongside Paris St Germain, Newcastle United and Milan, Dortmund got off to a woeful start in their campaign by taking just a point from their opening two matches, but then won three games straight to ensure a top-two finish in Group F.

"We all remember that evening after the draw when they reported about the 'Group of Death,'" Terzic told reporters.

"We also remember the first game in Paris when everyone told us after the defeat now it's going to be difficult.

"And then after the 0-0 at home against Milan, they said, yes, now it's over. And then we went there as leaders in this group," he added.

Terzic said injury issues made things difficult ahead of the Milan game.

"We didn't talk about it like that before the game, but you got a message almost every 30 minutes, every 60 minutes," he added.

"The (doctor) came with new information, who can make the squad, who can't, who can play a half and who can't... it wasn't easy and yet the lads fought their way through it today."

The three other teams remain in contention for a spot in the knockout rounds going into the final round of fixtures on Dec. 13, with Dortmund hosting PSG and Milan visiting Newcastle.


Early Qualification Delights Atletico Coach Simeone 

Players of Atletico Madrid celebrate scoring the 1-3 goal during the UEFA Champions League group E soccer match between Feyenoord and Atletico Madrid in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
Players of Atletico Madrid celebrate scoring the 1-3 goal during the UEFA Champions League group E soccer match between Feyenoord and Atletico Madrid in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
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Early Qualification Delights Atletico Coach Simeone 

Players of Atletico Madrid celebrate scoring the 1-3 goal during the UEFA Champions League group E soccer match between Feyenoord and Atletico Madrid in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
Players of Atletico Madrid celebrate scoring the 1-3 goal during the UEFA Champions League group E soccer match between Feyenoord and Atletico Madrid in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 28 November 2023. (EPA)

Securing qualification for the knockout stage of the Champions League with one game still play in the group phase delighted Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone after their 3-1 away win over Feyenoord in Rotterdam on Tuesday.

Atletico remained top of Group E on 11 points after winning away in the competition for the first time since beating Manchester United at Old Trafford in March 2022.

Their victory also guaranteed a berth in the last 16 for Lazio, who advanced to 10 points after beating Celtic in Rome earlier in the day, and eliminated Feyenoord from the race.

"The game the team played made me very happy. An offensively correct and defensively effective match," Simeone said. "A game with very good positional play, knowing that we could create difficulty for the opponent and from that came the first goal."

Feyenoord gave away a strange own goal as no one in their penalty box attempted to get onto a lopping ball into the danger area and it bounced in off defender Lutsharel Geertruida after 14 minutes.

In the second half Atletico went 2-0 ahead through Mario Hermoso, who hooked the ball into the opposite corner of the goal on the volley, but Feyenoord initiated a fight back through Mats Wieffer with 13 minutes left, only to see Atletico restore their two-goal advantage four minutes later through another own goal.

"I don't remember how long it's been since we qualified for the round of 16 with an advance date. That is something to highlight. The situation in our group was tight but we have managed our progress very well," added Simeone.

Asked at the post-match press conference whether Atletico could go on and pose a real challenge for the Champions League, he said: "We are here to compete with whoever we have to compete with. With humility and wanting to improve, we know our defects and from there we try to enhance our virtues."

They can enhance their options for the draw on Dec. 18 by finishing top of the group and will need only a draw at home to Lazio on Dec. 13 to ensure that.

"It is always important to finish as high as possible. We have not reached the last 16 with this kind of tranquility for years," Simeone said.


Foden Inspires Man City to 3-2 Comeback Win Against Leipzig in Champions League 

Football - Champions League - Group G - Manchester City v RB Leipzig - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - November 28, 2023 Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Group G - Manchester City v RB Leipzig - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - November 28, 2023 Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
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Foden Inspires Man City to 3-2 Comeback Win Against Leipzig in Champions League 

Football - Champions League - Group G - Manchester City v RB Leipzig - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - November 28, 2023 Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)
Football - Champions League - Group G - Manchester City v RB Leipzig - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - November 28, 2023 Manchester City's Phil Foden celebrates scoring their second goal. (Reuters)

Trailing 2-0 at halftime against Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday, Phil Foden couldn’t believe what he was seeing from Manchester City.

By the end he had inspired a rousing fightback as the defending champions won 3-2 to advance to the knockout stage of the competition atop Group G.

“First half was the worst I’ve seen us. Courage and motivation changed it around,” Foden said. “This team has great mentality and it’s so nice to see.

“We just needed that (first) goal to get going.”

Foden scored one and helped to create two more as Pep Guardiola’s team preserved an unbeaten home record in the Champions League that dates back to 2018.

The England forward set up a goal for Erling Haaland in the 54th minute and evened the score in the 70th. He then played a part in the buildup for substitute Julian Alvarez’s winner in the 87th to complete the comeback.

Haaland’s goal saw him set another benchmark by becoming the fastest player to score 40 Champions League goals by reaching that total in 35 games.

On Saturday the Norwegian had set a Premier League record by reaching 50 goals in 48 appearances.

But it was Leipzig forward Lois Openda who had looked like firing his team to an unlikely win with goals in the 13th and 33rd.

That was until City responded like champions after the break and turned the game around, with Foden at the heart of the comeback.

“We had to be (as) relaxed as possible and we reacted really well,” Guardiola said. “We are first in the group and I am very satisfied for the reaction at the end. The team runs and fights and has spirit,”

City is now unbeaten in 29 home games in the competition since losing 2-1 against Lyon in Sept. 2018. It has topped its Champions Group for seven seasons in a row.

Both teams had already qualified for the last 16. City has 15 points from five games, six points more than second-place Leipzig.

Leipzig had suffered its heaviest European defeat when losing 7-0 at this venue in last season’s round of 16.

That performance, which included Haaland scoring a record-equaling five goals in one Champions League match, had been a pointer to what City would go on to achieve — conquering Europe for the first time and also winning the Premier League title and FA Cup.

However, it quickly became clear there would be no repeat of that rout when Openda fired the visitors ahead. The Belgium forward shook off a challenge from Manuel Akanji and raced through on goal before placing a shot into the bottom corner to beat goalkeeper Stefan Ortega.

By the time he scored his second, City had missed chances through Ruben Dias and Rico Lewis.

Again Openda capitalized on City’s lack of cover at the back, this time beating Dias down the left and then turning inside Josep Gvardiol in the box and shooting low to the left.

Haaland wasted another chance for the home team before halftime to sum up a sloppy performance from Guardiola’s team.

“What I told the guys was that we made them angry in the first half,” Leipzig coach Marco Rose said. “(It was going to be) Difficult. That’s what we knew and that’s what we saw in the second half.”

Haaland was back to his clinical best when given the chance to pull a goal back shortly after the break.

Running onto Foden’s pass, he adjusted his feet and hit a left-footed shot into the bottom corner for his latest record-breaking strike. The Norway international is also the co-leading scorer in this year’s competition, level on five goals with Manchester United’s Rasmus Hojlund and Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata.

Foden evened the score after showing skillful footwork to make space for himself in the box and then firing between Lukas Klostermann’s legs and past goalkeeper Janis Blaswich.

Foden was involved again for Alvarez’s late goal when his cutback was deflected into the path of the the Argentine who finished from close range.


Mbappé Penalty Rescues Draw for PSG Against Newcastle in Champions League 

Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 1-1 goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United in Paris, France, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 1-1 goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United in Paris, France, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
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Mbappé Penalty Rescues Draw for PSG Against Newcastle in Champions League 

Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 1-1 goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United in Paris, France, 28 November 2023. (EPA)
Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 1-1 goal from the penalty spot during the UEFA Champions League group F match between Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United in Paris, France, 28 November 2023. (EPA)

Kylian Mbappé's penalty in the eighth minute of stoppage time salvaged a point for Paris Saint-Germain in a 1-1 draw with an injury-depleted but tenacious Newcastle team on Tuesday.

Alexander Isak scored on a rebound in the 24th minute, making up for his earlier miss when he shot over the bar from close range.

Miguel Almirón sent in a speculative shot from the edge of the box and PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma could only push it away to Isak’s feet for an easy finish.

PSG wasted chance after chance and Newcastle seemed on course to pull off another unlikely win to follow the 4-1 victory over the same opposition last month.

That was until Ousmane Dembélé flicked the ball up in the fifth minute of stoppage time and it bounced off Tino Livramento’s chest and onto his arm. Referee Szymon Marciniak gave a penalty after watching the incident on video review and Mbappé blasted the spot-kick past goalkeeper Nick Pope.

PSG can advance if it beats group leader Borussia Dortmund in Germany on Dec. 13 in their last group game. Dortmund beat Milan 3-1 on Tuesday as the German team secured its place in the round of 16.

“Very proud. I think we deserved to win, we created a lot of clear chances and, at times, it was difficult to get the ball in,” PSG coach Luis Enrique said.

To keep its Champions League campaign going, Newcastle must now beat AC Milan at home next month and hope PSG doesn’t win at Dortmund.

“Under the circumstances with injuries, to come to a place like this and get a point is positive. Disappointing, but positive,” Newcastle right back Kieran Trippier said.

Mbappé finally scored after having missed an early chance when Pope saved his backheel-flick finish, and later miscuing an attempt at an overhead kick. Those were just two of the many missed chances for PSG against a Newcastle team which seemed exhausted for much of the second half.

Luis Enrique responded by bringing on more attacking players. Substitute Bradley Barcola in particular got into good scoring positions only to see his efforts either saved by Pope or in one case volleyed over the bar when unmarked at the far post.

For Donnarumma, the error on Isak’s goal marked the second time in four days that the Italian goalkeeper was under scrutiny for a mistake after conceding a goal against Monaco on Friday.

Newcastle was missing 11 players to various injuries and Sandro Tonali’s gambling ban. Manager Eddie Howe picked an unchanged team from the lineup that beat Chelsea 4-1 on Saturday, 17-year-old midfielder Lewis Miley included.

Howe did not use any of his seven bench players, who included two goalkeepers and four teenagers. The other two bench spots were left empty in an illustration of just how thin Newcastle’s squad had become.


African Players In Europe: Goal King Salah Turns Creator

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah shoots against Manchester City - AFP
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah shoots against Manchester City - AFP
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African Players In Europe: Goal King Salah Turns Creator

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah shoots against Manchester City - AFP
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah shoots against Manchester City - AFP

Prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah turned creator at the weekend, setting up Trent Alexander-Arnold to equalize and force a 1-1 Premier League draw at Manchester City.

Defending champions City are second and Liverpool third behind leaders Arsenal in a tight title race with only two points separating the top three.

It was a profitable weekend for Nigerians with Ademola Lookman scoring in Italy, Umar Sadiq in Spain and Terem Moffi in France.

The Egypt forward provided the assist as Jurgen Klopp's side escaped with a 1-1 draw from their meeting with Manchester City. Liverpool kicked off at the Etihad Stadium in second place behind City and it was Pep Guardiola's men who drew first blood when Erling Haaland fired home for his 50th Premier League goal in the first half. But Salah helped Liverpool peg back the treble winners in the closing stages when his pass found Alexander-Arnold, who drilled a low shot into the far corner to ensure the two title heavyweights finished level, AFP report highlighted.

- UMAR SADIQ (Real Sociedad)

Sadiq netted his first goal of the season for Real Sociedad in their 2-1 win over Sevilla. The 26-year-old failed to find the net in his first 11 appearances for the club this season in La Liga, but ended his drought with a brilliant strike as he ripped an effort into the top corner from more than 25 yards.

- YOUSSEF EN-NESYRI (Sevilla)

The Moroccan forward continued his good form with a fourth goal in seven league games, but it was not enough to rescue his team a point at Real Sociedad. The striker converted a downward header from close range, showing his predatory instincts in the box.

- ERIC MAXIM CHOUPO-MOTING (Bayern Munich)

Handed just a second league start this season, the Cameroon striker provided impetus and energy in Bayern's 1-0 win over Cologne. While Choupo-Moting has fallen down the pecking order since the arrival of England captain Harry Kane, he created the game's only goal. With 20 minutes gone, Bayern counterattacked and Choupo-Moting's shot was cleared off the line into the path of Kane, who slotted home.

- TEREM MOFFI (Nice)

The Nigerian was perfectly positioned in the 54th minute to score off a swift counterattack and give second-placed Nice a 1-0 home win over lowly Toulouse. It was the fourth goal of the Ligue 1 campaign for the 24-year-old, who played in Lithuania and Belgium before moving to France three years ago.


Bayern Munich Defender Matthijs de Ligt Nears Comeback After Right Knee Injury 

Bayern Munich player Matthijs de Ligt attends the FC Bayern Munich's annual general meeting in Munich, Germany, 12 November 2023. (EPA)
Bayern Munich player Matthijs de Ligt attends the FC Bayern Munich's annual general meeting in Munich, Germany, 12 November 2023. (EPA)
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Bayern Munich Defender Matthijs de Ligt Nears Comeback After Right Knee Injury 

Bayern Munich player Matthijs de Ligt attends the FC Bayern Munich's annual general meeting in Munich, Germany, 12 November 2023. (EPA)
Bayern Munich player Matthijs de Ligt attends the FC Bayern Munich's annual general meeting in Munich, Germany, 12 November 2023. (EPA)

Bayern Munich defender Mattijs de Ligt is nearing a comeback from the right knee injury which ruled him out for most of the last month, the club indicated Monday.

Bayern said the Netherlands center back was back on the field and “completed an individual session at the training ground on Monday morning.”

De Ligt tore part of a knee ligament on Nov. 1 in Bayern's surprising 2-1 German Cup loss to third-division club Saarbruecken. That prompted concerns he could be a long-term absentee from a first-team squad which only includes two other central defenders, Kim Min-jae and Dayot Upamecano.

Bayern has won all four of its games since then with Kim and Upamecano starting together at center back, including a 4-0 win over Borussia Dortmund. Bayern plays Copenhagen in the Champions League on Wednesday.

De Ligt's injury also ruled him out of the Netherlands' European Championship qualifying games against Ireland and Gibraltar.