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Ten Footballers Who Sparkled on Their Debuts Around Europe This Season

Arsenal, Newcastle and Bayern Munich did some good business over the summer. Composite: Shutterstock; BPI/Shutterstock; DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Arsenal, Newcastle and Bayern Munich did some good business over the summer. Composite: Shutterstock; BPI/Shutterstock; DeFodi Images via Getty Images
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Ten Footballers Who Sparkled on Their Debuts Around Europe This Season

Arsenal, Newcastle and Bayern Munich did some good business over the summer. Composite: Shutterstock; BPI/Shutterstock; DeFodi Images via Getty Images
Arsenal, Newcastle and Bayern Munich did some good business over the summer. Composite: Shutterstock; BPI/Shutterstock; DeFodi Images via Getty Images

With all five of the major European leagues now back underway for the 2020-21 season, we’ve been given a glimpse of new signings in action across the continent. There have been some eye-catching displays. Here are the 10 most impressive.

10) Gabriel, Arsenal
Given how little Gabriel had played since the early curtailment of the Ligue 1 season back in March, it was a surprise to see the Brazilian line up for Arsenal against Fulham in the opening game of the Premier League season. Nevertheless, his fitness didn’t seem to be a concern whatsoever. Mikel Arteta’s selection was vindicated after an excellent debut. He even scored in Arsenal’s 3-0 win, which was something of a surprise given that he only managed two goals in as many seasons at Lille. Gabriel attempted 114 passes and completed 108 of them – more than any other player achieved on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.

9) Amine Gouiri, Nice
Having failed to break into the first team at Lyon, 20-year-old Amine Gouiri made the move to Nice and made an instant impression in the very first Ligue 1 start of his career. Operating from the left of a front three, the youngster scored both goals for Patrick Vieira’s side as they came from behind to beat newly-promoted Lens 2-1. Gouiri had three shots in total, finding the net with both of his efforts on target.

8) Adrien Truffert, Rennes v Monaco
While Adrien Truffert was not a summer signing for Rennes (he stepped up from the youth team), his recent substitute appearance against Monaco was one he will never forget. When starting left-back Faitout Maouassa picked up an injury in the first half, Truffert was given his chance. The 18-year-old came on and turned the game in his side’s favor. Rennes were trailing to a goal from Wissam Ben Yedder before Truffert set up a late Steven N’Zonzi equalizer and then scored the winner himself in injury-time. As well as a goal and assist on his debut, the full-back completed 28 of the passes he attempted to secure our man of the match award.

7) Birger Meling, Nîmes
Birger Meling has made a superb start to life at Nîmes since his move from Rosenborg, particularly on his debut against Brest. The 25-year-old Norwegian left-back set up youngster Kevin Denkey’s early opener before scoring Nîmes’ second goal in a comprehensive 4-0 win.

6) Willian, Arsenal
If Willian needed to win over Arsenal fans following his move from Chelsea, he did it in one afternoon in Fulham. He was brilliant in his debut at Craven Cottage, even stealing the limelight from fellow Brazilian Gabriel. Having hit the woodwork with a trademark free-kick in the first half, the 32-year-old set up both of Arsenal’s goals in the second half to ensure a comfortable 3-0 win. On top of that, he misplaced just one of his 26 passes.

5) Timothy Castagne, Leicester
Timothy Castagne is another player who popped up with an unexpected goal on his debut. The versatile Belgian full-back arrived from Atalanta and was put straight into the Leicester team for their season opener against West Brom. Leicester missed the attacking outlet of the injured Ricardo Pereira in the second half of last season, but Castagne has stepped up admirably. The 24-year-old broke the deadlock in an eventual 3-0 win over the Baggies, while winning five aerial duels and three tackles to pick up our man of the match award.

4) Luis Milla, Granada
Luis Milla signed for Granada from second-tier Tenerife and carried on his happy knack of scoring from midfield. The 25-year-old was on hand to score Granada’s second goal in a 2-0 win over AthleticBilbao on what was his La Liga debut. He also won four aerial duels, made three interceptions and completed two dribbles in a fine all-round display, earning our man of the match award.

3) Jeff Hendrick, Newcastle
Jeff Hendrick stole the show for Newcastle on his debut against West Ham. Having assisted fellow debutant Callum Wilson with an intelligent flick-on at the near post, the former Burnley midfielder rifled home a second late on to ensure that Newcastle picked up all three points. Having never scored and set up a goal in a Premier League game before, Hendrick picked some time to do it.

2) Dejan Kulusevski, Juventus
Dejan Kulusevski had to wait for his Juventus debut after agreeing to join the club in January, but he made sure it was worth it. The 20-year-old was one of the breakout stars in Serie A last season and he picked up in Turin where he left off in Parma, albeit in a new role, partnering Cristiano Ronaldo up front rather than starting from wide. The Sweden international tucked away the first goal of the Andrea Pirlo era after just eight minutes with what was his only attempt. In a complete performance, he created three chances, completed three dribbles and made two interceptions to secure our man of the match award.

1) Leroy Sané, Bayern Munich
Leroy Sané’s long-awaited debut for Bayern Munich is the pick of the bunch. He was merciless against his former club Schalke. In 72 minutes on the pitch the 24-year-old scored once and set up two more in a thumping 8-0 victory. Sané did not look like a player who had missed most of last season with injury. He hit the target with both of his attempts at goal and created five chances for his teammates. The addition of Sané makes the European champions an even more frightening attacking proposition.

(The Guardian)

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Sports

Adidas Chairman Thomas Rabe Re-elected Until 2025

Logo of Adidas brand is displayed on the store in the center of Warsaw, Poland, January 4, 2024. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Logo of Adidas brand is displayed on the store in the center of Warsaw, Poland, January 4, 2024. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Adidas Chairman Thomas Rabe Re-elected Until 2025

Logo of Adidas brand is displayed on the store in the center of Warsaw, Poland, January 4, 2024. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
Logo of Adidas brand is displayed on the store in the center of Warsaw, Poland, January 4, 2024. REUTERS/Kacper Pempel/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

A majority of Adidas shareholders backed the re-election of chairman Thomas Rabe at the company's annual general meeting on Thursday, securing his role for a fifth year, with the German sportswear brand set to appoint a successor in 2025.

Prominent proxy advisory firm Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) had recommended in April that investors vote against Rabe's reappointment due to what it argued was an "excessive" number of roles at other companies, Reuters reported.

Adidas said Rabe's reappointment would serve to ensure a smooth handover of the chairmanship, which he has held since 2020. Rabe is also CEO of German broadcaster RTL Group and CEO of media conglomerate Bertelsmann.

"The succession planning for the Supervisory Board as a whole and for myself as Chairman of the Supervisory Board are paramount for me," Rabe said in a letter to shareholders ahead of the AGM.

Adidas' executive pay was also approved in a shareholder vote, although Norway's sovereign wealth fund, the fifth-biggest shareholder in Adidas, voted against for the second year in a row.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sports

FIFA Urges Soccer Bodies to Mandate Racism as an Offense

A long exposure shows FIFA's logo near its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland February 27, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
A long exposure shows FIFA's logo near its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland February 27, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
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FIFA Urges Soccer Bodies to Mandate Racism as an Offense

A long exposure shows FIFA's logo near its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland February 27, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo
A long exposure shows FIFA's logo near its headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland February 27, 2022. REUTERS/Arnd Wiegmann/File Photo

FIFA wants all 211 national federations to mandate racist abuse in soccer as a disciplinary offense, and designate a crossed hands gesture by victims to signal the abuse they get.

Soccer's world body detailed the tougher and more unified approach it wants to tackle racism on Thursday after months of consulting with victimized players including Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior.

The crossed hands gesture was made on a medal podium at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 by United States athlete Raven Saunders who won silver in women’s shot put.

”It’s the intersection of where all people who are oppressed meet,” Saunders said in Tokyo, The AP reported.

FIFA is encouraging players to copy the gesture that led to Saunders facing a disciplinary investigation by the International Olympic Committee, which has rules prohibiting political statements at medal ceremonies.

Teams whose fans or players racially abuse opponents could soon face disciplinary punishments such as forfeiting games, typically as a 3-0 loss, as part of a five-pillar pledge on tackling discrimination. They will be put to FIFA member federations on Friday at their annual meeting in Bangkok.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino promised months ago to make a worldwide proposal and has consulted with Brazil star Vinicius Junior, who is Black and has been repeatedly abused by opposing fans in Spanish stadiums.

He broke down in tears at a news conference in March before Spain hosted Brazil in a friendly organized in fallout of the persistent abuse he has faced in his adopted home.

“The time has come for football to unite to unequivocally commit as a global community to address the issue of racism in the game,” FIFA said in a letter to member federations.

FIFA also wants to create a panel of players who will “monitor and advise on the implementation of these actions around the world.”

Soccer has struggled for more than a decade to deal with racism in stadiums by agreeing and coordinating on-field responses by match officials and post-match disciplinary action by federations and competition organizers.

Soccer leaders in countries such as Italy and Spain have consistently denied the sport has a racism problem.

In some cases, investigations were dropped by soccer authorities including UEFA because there was no evidence beyond a claim by the player alleging abuse.

Black players who claimed they were racially abused by opponents or fans and tried to leave the field have themselves been shown a yellow card for their actions.

FIFA wants the crossed hands gesture to be the recognized signal for referees to start a long-standing three-step process at a game where racial and discriminatory abuse is heard: To pause the play and broadcast warnings in the stadium, to take teams off the field, then abandon games.

That three-step process should be mandatory across all 211 federations, FIFA said on Thursday.

Saunders initially was in trouble with the IOC for making the gesture which also was a broader statement celebrating diversity. The IOC investigation was paused days later after Saunders' mother died.

Sports

Germany Coach Watches as Others Announce His Euro 2024 Squad With No Surprises

 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann (rights) speaks to media. - The AP
 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann (rights) speaks to media. - The AP
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Germany Coach Watches as Others Announce His Euro 2024 Squad With No Surprises

 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann (rights) speaks to media. - The AP
 Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann (rights) speaks to media. - The AP

Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann watched as his initial European Championship squad was announced for him by a variety of people reflecting the mix in German society on Thursday.

Stuttgart goalkeeper Alexander Nübel was the only new name among the 27 called out in a video message featuring students, TV presenters, singers, döner kebab chefs, radio presenters and others.

“Super troop. Could be from me. But it’s our squad,” Nagelsmann said at the end of the video shown at a glitzy press conference in sponsor Volkswagen’s showroom on Berlin’s Unter den Linden boulevard, The AP reported.

“It was great,” Nagelsmann said of the unusual announcements. “That's how we involved many people, an experience that's very important for the team, that can show the path to success in our home tournament.”

Nagelsmann is keeping faith with the shakeup he initiated in March before the friendly matches against France and the Netherlands. Both games yielded wins, boosting confidence before Germany hosts the tournament next month. Nagelsmann clearly saw no need to change a winning team too much.

There was no return for Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels or Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka despite their strong finishes to the season, but Hummels’ club teammate Nico Schlotterbeck is back for the first time since last September. Hummels and Schlotterbeck helped Dortmund reach the Champions League final against Real Madrid on June 1.

Schlotterbeck and Dortmund teammate Niclas Füllkrug will join Germany late because of their involvement in the final, as will Madrid’s Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger, who were also nominated for the tournament.

“It will make the training a bit harder because they're players that are envisaged for the starting lineup, players that are important for the team," Nagelsmann said of Kroos and Rüdiger. “I'd prefer if players are successful and play great games and come with a lot of confidence.”

Most of the squad was “leaked” by the federation through various outlets in the days before, though the unusual confirmations also led to some confusion. Thomas Müller, for example, suggested on Instagram that he was included before it was confirmed by the federation.

Müller, who has played 128 games for Germany, is the most experienced player in the squad, followed by Bayern Munich teammate Manuel Neuer (117 appearances) and Kroos (108).

Nagelsmann, who said he's taking four goalkeepers to the tournament, will need to reduce his squad by one before he finalizes it.

The German soccer federation also announced that Nagelsmann's coaching staff extended their contracts through the 2026 World Cup, putting them in line with Nagelsmann, who extended his contract last month.

Germany hosts Euro 2024 from June 14 to July 14. Nagelsmann’s team begins its tournament preparations in Blankenhain, central Germany, from May 26-31 before moving to Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, on June 1.

Germany warms up with friendlies against Ukraine in Nuremberg on June 3, and Greece four days later in Mönchengladbach.

The host nation gets the tournament underway against Scotland in Munich. It then plays Hungary in Stuttgart on June 19 and Switzerland in Frankfurt on June 23.

“I already have the idea that we can win this thing, that we can gain faith in winning it,” Nagelsmann said.

Sports

Monaco to Host the Start of the 2026 Spanish Vuelta

FILE PHOTO: A general view shows Monaco Principality during the Monaco Yacht Show, one of the most prestigious pleasure boat shows in the world, highlighting hundreds of yachts for the luxury yachting industry in port of Monaco, September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
FILE PHOTO: A general view shows Monaco Principality during the Monaco Yacht Show, one of the most prestigious pleasure boat shows in the world, highlighting hundreds of yachts for the luxury yachting industry in port of Monaco, September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
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Monaco to Host the Start of the 2026 Spanish Vuelta

FILE PHOTO: A general view shows Monaco Principality during the Monaco Yacht Show, one of the most prestigious pleasure boat shows in the world, highlighting hundreds of yachts for the luxury yachting industry in port of Monaco, September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights
FILE PHOTO: A general view shows Monaco Principality during the Monaco Yacht Show, one of the most prestigious pleasure boat shows in the world, highlighting hundreds of yachts for the luxury yachting industry in port of Monaco, September 25, 2019. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

The 2026 Spanish Vuelta will start in Monaco, organizers announced on Thursday.

The grand tour’s first stage will take place entirely in the tiny principality known for its iconic Formula 1 event. The second stage of the three-week race will also start in Monaco, The AP reported.

This year's Vuelta which is scheduled to start in August will begin in Lisbon. The Portuguese capital was the first foreign city to host a Vuelta start back in 1997. The Vuelta has also had starts in the Netherlands and France.

This summer, Monaco will host the start of the final stage of this summer’s Tour, which will be held outside Paris for the first time since 1905 because of a clash with the Olympics.

Monaco also provided the start of the 2009 Tour de France.

Sports

Esperance, Ahly Resume Great African Club Rivalry in Final

Ahly's Egyptian defender #24 Mohamed Abdelmonem celebrates with the fans after scoring his team's first goal during the second leg of the CAF Champions League football match between Egypt's Al-Ahly and Congo's TP Mazembe at at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on April 26, 2024. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
Ahly's Egyptian defender #24 Mohamed Abdelmonem celebrates with the fans after scoring his team's first goal during the second leg of the CAF Champions League football match between Egypt's Al-Ahly and Congo's TP Mazembe at at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on April 26, 2024. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
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Esperance, Ahly Resume Great African Club Rivalry in Final

Ahly's Egyptian defender #24 Mohamed Abdelmonem celebrates with the fans after scoring his team's first goal during the second leg of the CAF Champions League football match between Egypt's Al-Ahly and Congo's TP Mazembe at at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on April 26, 2024. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)
Ahly's Egyptian defender #24 Mohamed Abdelmonem celebrates with the fans after scoring his team's first goal during the second leg of the CAF Champions League football match between Egypt's Al-Ahly and Congo's TP Mazembe at at the Cairo International Stadium in Cairo on April 26, 2024. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)

Episode 23 of a great African club rivalry unfolds in Tunisia on Saturday when Esperance host Egyptian visitors Al Ahly in the CAF Champions League final first leg.

Ahly have won 10 and drawn eight of their 22 meetings in the premier continental competition since first clashing 34 years ago, and are appearing in a record fifth straight final.

But while the Cairo Red Devils are favorites to lift the trophy a record-extending 12th time after an unbeaten 12-game march to the title decider, Esperance have also impressed, Agence France Presse reported.

The Blood and Gold are back in the final for the first time since completing back-to-back Champions League triumphs in 2019 and, like Ahly, boast a formidable defense.

"Every Champions League opponent raises their game against Ahly. We are the most successful club in Africa so everybody wants to beat us," Swiss coach Marcel Koller told reporters.

Ahly have won 24 African titles in four competitions, 13 more than their closest rivals, compatriots Zamalek and TP Mazembe from the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Both finalists have kept 11 clean sheets in 12 qualifying, group and knockout matches, with goalkeepers Mostafa Shobeir of Ahly and Amanallah Memmiche of Esperance the unexpected stars.

A son of former Ahly goalkeeper Ahmed Shobeir, Mostafa was promoted after captain Mohamed El Shenawy suffered a shoulder injury during the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations.

Shobeir rose to the occasion and has not conceded in six Champions League matches, leaving Koller with a selection headache.

Does he continue with Shobeir or recall fit-again El Shenawy after both were included in a 23-man squad?

- Young goalkeeper stars -

Esperance began this Champions League campaign with veteran goalkeeper Moez Ben Cherifia captaining the side, but he has dropped to the bench with 20-year-old Memmiche preferred.

Promoted when a teenager, Memmiche has not conceded in his last eight Champions League matches as Esperance seek a fifth title.

Where Ahly have a clear advantage over Esperance is scoring, netting 19 goals en route to the final compared with a meagre nine by their rivals.

There have been contributions from 11 players to the Ahly total with Hussein El Shahat (five) and Mahmoud Kahraba (four) the leading scorers.

Despite topping the Champions League goals chart, however, El Shahat was an unused substitute in the 3-0 semi-final, second-leg victory over Mazembe.

South African winger Percy Tau will hope to add to his solitary goal in the African campaign this season.

A returnee to the Ahly squad is Mali midfielder Aliou Dieng, back in contention after a three-month absence due to a knee injury.

Esperance coach Miguel Cardoso says reaching the final is the "biggest achievement of my career". He previously struggled at clubs in France, Spain, Greece and his native Portugal.

He took over this January after two Tunisians, 2018 and 2019 Champions League winner Mouin Chaabani and Tarek Thabet, had short spells in charge.

Yan Sasse, plucked from the obscurity of Wellington Phoenix reserves in New Zealand, has scored three Champions League goals, but fellow Brazilian Rodrigo Rodrigues has yet to get off the mark.

Other potential starters include center-back Mohamed Tougai and winger Houssam Ghacha from Algeria and Togo midfielder Roger Aholou.

Sports

FIFA Sets Date for First Women's Club World Cup

FILED - 06 January 2020, Egypt, Giza: The shadows of spectators can be seen on a FIFA banner. Photo: Omar Zoheiry/dpa
FILED - 06 January 2020, Egypt, Giza: The shadows of spectators can be seen on a FIFA banner. Photo: Omar Zoheiry/dpa
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FIFA Sets Date for First Women's Club World Cup

FILED - 06 January 2020, Egypt, Giza: The shadows of spectators can be seen on a FIFA banner. Photo: Omar Zoheiry/dpa
FILED - 06 January 2020, Egypt, Giza: The shadows of spectators can be seen on a FIFA banner. Photo: Omar Zoheiry/dpa

FIFA finally set a date Wednesday to play the first Women’s Club World Cup tournament in January and February 2026.
The first edition should involve 16 teams though FIFA’s ruling council did not specify how they would qualify or where they could play.
Barcelona and Lyon are the top-ranked European teams and have combined to win 10 Champions League titles since 2011. They will meet in the next final on May 25 in Bilbao, Spain, The Associated Press reported.
A 32-team men’s Club World Cup will debut in June-July next year in the United States with teams qualifying by winning or getting consistently good results in four years of continental championships through 2024. The inaugural men's edition will have 12 European teams and six from South America.
FIFA has made launching a global club tournament a key part of its strategy to develop women’s soccer since the soccer body’s current president Gianni Infantino was elected in 2016.
The tournament should be held every four years, like the men’s edition. In other years, an “additional FIFA women’s club competition” was proposed to be organized, again like the men.
FIFA plans to launch an annual “Intercontinental Cup” in December featuring just the champions of the six men’s continental competitions, such as the Champions League in Europe.

Sports

Villa’s Champions League Qualification a Special Day, Says Boss Emery 

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery after a Premier League match on May 13, 2024. (Reuters)
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery after a Premier League match on May 13, 2024. (Reuters)
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Villa’s Champions League Qualification a Special Day, Says Boss Emery 

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery after a Premier League match on May 13, 2024. (Reuters)
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery after a Premier League match on May 13, 2024. (Reuters)

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery celebrated a "very special day" after the Premier League club clinched a spot in Europe's top-tier club-football competition for the first time since 1983 and said he is excited by the future of his team.

The West Midlands side secured the Champions League spot on Tuesday after Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 2-0 home loss to Manchester City in the Premier League. Aston Villa had won the old European Cup, precursor to the Champions League, in 1982, but have not played in the continental competition for 41 years.

Villa are fourth in the Premier League standings with 68 points, five more than Tottenham, who sit fifth with one game to play. City are now within touching distance of an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title.

"It's a very special day today," Emery told Villa's website. "It was our dream when we started the season to be here. To play Champions League is, after the Premier League, the best.

"You can play in the Premier League against the best teams in the world, it's very difficult. When you are playing in the Champions League you are playing against the best teams, at the same time, from other countries. And it's amazing.

"And we are always responsible about the history here, we know the history of Aston Villa is so long and so successful. Even in the Champions League, before it was the European Cup, we knew the responsibility was to try to increase our level, try to be demanding and to dream.

"I want to enjoy more and, next year, now the new challenge starts for us. To build again a team, and being strong to go and always increase our level. This is our objective."

The confirmation of their top-four finish coincided with the club's End of Season Awards Dinner at Villa Park, where captain John McGinn also spoke on the achievement.

"On behalf of all the players, it's been an amazing season," the 29-year-old Scotland international said.

"We got promoted, we got into the Premier League and were seven points behind with four games to play, we managed to stay in the league.

"We kept building and thankfully we've achieved something we haven't done for 40 years. So, on behalf of all the players and staff, we're over the moon, we're delighted."

Villa will conclude their campaign with a trip on Sunday to in-form Crystal Palace, who are 12th in the league.

Sports

Guardiola Feels Man City Are ‘Serving for Wimbledon’ 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 14, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters) 
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 14, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters) 
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Guardiola Feels Man City Are ‘Serving for Wimbledon’ 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 14, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters) 
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 14, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters) 

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has likened his side's final Premier League game of the season to "serving for Wimbledon" as they moved to the top of the table after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on Tuesday.

Guardiola's side have 88 points, two clear of Arsenal, and will secure a record fourth successive league title if they beat West Ham at home on Sunday, the final day of the season.

"The tennis players say 'the serve to win Wimbledon', the last match, is the most difficult," Guardiola told the BBC.

"We know what we're playing for. The tension is there. We have a day off, two days to prepare and then we will do our best," he added.

City, who have kept up the pace in the title chase, are now unbeaten in 22 league games, while Arsenal, who need to beat Everton, will be hoping for the best on Sunday.

Guardiola also spoke about goalkeeper Ederson, who was treated on the pitch after being tripped by Cristian Romero and midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, and was forced to come off through injury.

"Ederson had a problem with his eye, he couldn't see well, so the doctor said he had to come off. De Bruyne had injured his ankle," he added.

Sports

Real Madrid Presents Spanish League Trophy to Fans and Then Routs Alaves 5-0 

Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior celebrate after scoring the 4-0 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and Deportivo Alaves, in Madrid, Spain, 14 May 2024. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior celebrate after scoring the 4-0 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and Deportivo Alaves, in Madrid, Spain, 14 May 2024. (EPA)
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Real Madrid Presents Spanish League Trophy to Fans and Then Routs Alaves 5-0 

Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior celebrate after scoring the 4-0 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and Deportivo Alaves, in Madrid, Spain, 14 May 2024. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior celebrate after scoring the 4-0 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and Deportivo Alaves, in Madrid, Spain, 14 May 2024. (EPA)

Real Madrid presented its 36th Spanish league trophy to its fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday, then followed up the celebrations with a 5-0 rout of Alaves that featured a pair of goals by Vinícius Júnior and another by Jude Bellingham.

Federico Valverde and Arda Guler also scored for Madrid, which was yet to play at the Bernabeu since clinching the league two rounds ago. The club celebrated the title on Sunday through the streets of Madrid, but it couldn't go through its traditional celebration at the Bernabeu because of a concert at the stadium.

It couldn't celebrate when it clinched the title in advance with a win against Cadiz on May 4 because it had to play Bayern Munich a few days later in the semifinals of the Champions League, a game it won 2-1 to make it to the June 1 final against Borussia Dortmund in London.

“I’m really pleased with the team’s performance, we need to get into a good rhythm. We have a very important game left to crown our season,” Vinícius said. “We always enjoy wearing this shirt and playing for these fans at this stadium. My dream since I was a child was to play here and now we have the opportunity to deliver this victory for many kids who want to be here but can’t.”

Alaves' players gave Madrid a guard of honor before the match, lining up near the sideline and applauding Madrid players as they entered the field. Madrid captain Nacho Fernández stepped onto the field carrying the league trophy.

The other 35 league trophies were represented in images placed around the midfield circle.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti used the regular starters again after giving them some rest in a 4-0 win at Granada on Saturday.

Bellingham opened the scoring in the 10th minute, Vinícius scored his first goal in the 27th and Valverde found the net in first-half stoppage time. Vinícius got his second in the 70th and Guler sealed the result in the 81st.

It was the ninth straight league win for Madrid and sixth in its last seven matches in all competitions. It reached 93 points from 36 matches, 17 points more than second-place Barcelona.

Earlier, relegation-threatened Mallorca drew 1-1 at Osasuna, moving to 15th place and staying seven points from the demotion zone.

Girona missed a chance to overcome Barcelona for second place after a 1-0 loss to mid-table Villarreal at home. Girona stayed in third place after the loss, one point from Barcelona and five ahead of fourth-place Atletico Madrid.

Atletico visits mid-table Getafe on Wednesday, while Barcelona is at last-place Almeria on Thursday.

Sports

Caitlin Clark Finishes with 20 Points as Indiana Falls to Connecticut in WNBA Opener

The NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader, who finished the game 5 for 15 from the field, had 10 turnovers and went scoreless in the first quarter. - The AP
The NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader, who finished the game 5 for 15 from the field, had 10 turnovers and went scoreless in the first quarter. - The AP
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Caitlin Clark Finishes with 20 Points as Indiana Falls to Connecticut in WNBA Opener

The NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader, who finished the game 5 for 15 from the field, had 10 turnovers and went scoreless in the first quarter. - The AP
The NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader, who finished the game 5 for 15 from the field, had 10 turnovers and went scoreless in the first quarter. - The AP

Caitlin Clark struggled early in her WNBA debut before finishing with 20 points as the Indiana Fever fell to the Connecticut Sun 92-71 on Tuesday night.

Alyssa Thomas led the Sun with 13 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, registering the 12th triple-double of her career. DeWanna Bonner added 20 points and DiJonai Carrington had 16. She also was a major reason for Clark's early offensive struggles, hounding the guard.

The NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader, who finished the game 5 for 15 from the field, had 10 turnovers and went scoreless in the first quarter. She missed her first four shots before finally getting on the board midway through the second period, The AP reported.

Clark stole the ball around the foul line and drove the length of the court before laying the ball in. She later added two free throws and hit a 3-pointer with 29.9 seconds left in the first half to finish the opening 20 minutes with seven points, hitting two of her seven shot attempts. The Fever trailed 49-39 at the break.

The Fever got within 63-57 late in the third quarter on two free throws by Clark, but couldn't get closer the rest of the way.

Clark did start heating up from the field, hitting four 3-pointers, including one from long range.

Bonner moved into fifth on the WNBA's career scoring list, moving ahead of former Phoenix Mercury teammate Candice Dupree. who finished her career with 6,895 points. Bonner passed Dupree on a layup midway through the third quarter. Bonner, who now has 6,901 points, raised her hands to the crowd after a timeout to acknowledge the accomplishment.

Brionna Jones played for the first time since rupturing her right Achilles tendon last June. The Sun's All-Star center had eight points while playing just under 20 minutes.