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It Is Going to Be Tough for Champions Senegal, Warns Mane

Senegal star Sadio Mane with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after winning the 2022 final against Egypt. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File
Senegal star Sadio Mane with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after winning the 2022 final against Egypt. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File
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It Is Going to Be Tough for Champions Senegal, Warns Mane

Senegal star Sadio Mane with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after winning the 2022 final against Egypt. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File
Senegal star Sadio Mane with the Africa Cup of Nations trophy after winning the 2022 final against Egypt. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP/File

Senegal captain Sadio Mane predicts that "a really difficult group" lies ahead for the Africa Cup of Nations holders when they face Gambia, Cameroon and Guinea.
"The match against Cameroon is going to be very tough and we dare not underestimate our other opponents," the two-time African Player of the Year told reporters.
"While accepting that none of these matches will be easy, we have the ability and determination to reach the knockout stage," he said ahead of the tournament kick-off on Saturday.
Senegal defeated Cameroon 34 years ago in a group match in Algeria when they first met in the African football showpiece.
But Cameroon have had the upper hand since, winning a quarter-final, then the 2002 final and another quarter-final after penalty shootouts.
Senegal have beaten Guinea twice, but only drew 0-0 against them in the group stage two years ago en route to winning the Cup of Nations for the first time.
The Group C clash between the title-holders and surprise 2022 quarter-finalists Gambia will be the first in the tournament.
Mane, one of several Senegalese stars who joined the lucrative Saudi Pro League this year, admits that while winning two years ago was difficult, retaining the title will be even harder.
"I believe the 2024 Cup of Nations will be the toughest to win because the line-up is the strongest."
The 31-year-old, who reportedly wed his long-time sweetheart Aicha Tamba at a private ceremony this month, was referring to the fact that the top 15 ranked teams have qualified.
'Plotting to dethrone us'
Among the top 20, only Gabon, Uganda and Benin failed to make it to a tournament that will feature 12 former champions, including record seven-time winners Egypt.
"I cannot recall a stronger field. All the giants are going to be in the Ivory Coast and all of them will be plotting to dethrone us," added Mane.
He has won the Club World Cup, Champions League and Premier League with Liverpool, but says none of those triumphs compare with lifting the Cup of Nations trophy in Yaounde two years ago.
"Winning the last AFCON was the greatest moment of my career. No other success compares with it," said Mane, who converted the winning penalty in the final shootout against Egypt.
"It was a special achievement and one I dreamt of since childhood. Our victory had a massive impact on all Senegalese."
Since the Cup of Nations success, Senegal have also won the African Nations Championship for home-based players and the African under-17 and under-20 titles.
Cameroon, whose five titles makes them the second most successful country in the Cup of Nations, are among the most unpredictable qualifiers.
After a draw and loss to minnows Namibia in qualifying, they defeated modest Burundi to scrape through after being lucky not to trail by several goals at half-time.
Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana is expected to play at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday -- one day before Cameroon face Guinea in their opening match in Yamoussoukro.
Cameroon coach Rigobert Song will rely on 2022 Cup of Nations leading scorer Vincent Aboubakar and Karl Toko Ekambi for goals after leaving out Bayern Munich forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Guinea hope star forward Serhou Guirassy, scorer of 17 Bundesliga goals for Stuttgart this season, recovers from a thigh injury sustained in a warm-up win over Nigeria.

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Iraola Says Too Soon for Title Talk as In-Form Liverpool Welcome Arsenal

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola applauds to supporters after winning the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in Liverpool, Britain, 25 October 2026. (EPA)
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola applauds to supporters after winning the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in Liverpool, Britain, 25 October 2026. (EPA)
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Iraola Says Too Soon for Title Talk as In-Form Liverpool Welcome Arsenal

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola applauds to supporters after winning the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in Liverpool, Britain, 25 October 2026. (EPA)
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola applauds to supporters after winning the English Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brighton & Hove Albion, in Liverpool, Britain, 25 October 2026. (EPA)

Liverpool coach Andoni Iraola refused to let a five-match winning run go to his team's head on Friday, saying it was too early to discuss a Premier League title challenge before champions Arsenal visit Anfield on Sunday.

After a humbling 3-0 defeat by Manchester City this month, Iraola's side have won five straight games across three competitions, including Wednesday's penalty shootout victory over Chelsea to reach the League ‌Cup quarter-finals.

Fourth-placed Liverpool ‌are six points behind Arsenal.

"It's still October, take ‌one ⁠game at a ⁠time and I always say the first reference is normally when we have played against each other once, halfway through the season, and then you can start looking at the standings," Iraola told reporters.

"Now we are in a position where we need to improve, keep getting better. Can fans dream? It's good if they have expectations and think we ⁠can win. But if you ask me, it is ‌still early."

GOOD RECORD AGAINST ARSENAL

Iraola has a ‌good record against Arsenal having won three of his last four meetings ‌with Mikel Arteta's side as Bournemouth head coach.

With Arsenal chasing a ‌first win at Anfield since 2012, the Spaniard said past records would count for little.

"It is true we had good results against them with Bournemouth but it does not mean a lot as it is a totally different team, ‌different group of players, different moments," he said.

"At the end of the day it is about winning ⁠the duels, running ⁠more than them, winning the aerial duels, set plays, mini games, these things that you have to control against Arsenal. They are the champions, they are top of the league right now, they have only lost one game this season."

Sunday's match offers Iraola the chance to meet up with his former teammate Arteta after they came through the youth ranks together in San Sebastian in Spain's Basque Country.

"Last week was (Chelsea boss) Xabi (Alonso), now Mikel, a lot of former friends on the opposition bench lately. I think it is a good thing in terms of spending 5-10 minutes after the game normally with them," Iraola said.

Dominik Szoboszlai (hamstring) and Victor Munoz (knee) could feature after recovering from injuries.

Sports

Arteta Tells Dowman Premier League Is ‘Not Disneyland’ After Ban Upheld

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, northwest England, on October 27, 2026. (AFP)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, northwest England, on October 27, 2026. (AFP)
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Arteta Tells Dowman Premier League Is ‘Not Disneyland’ After Ban Upheld

Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, northwest England, on October 27, 2026. (AFP)
Arsenal's Spanish manager Mikel Arteta reacts ahead of the English League Cup fourth round football match between Fleetwood Town and Arsenal at Highbury Stadium in Fleetwood, northwest England, on October 27, 2026. (AFP)

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said teenager ‌Max Dowman must learn to cope with the demands of elite football after the winger's red card in the League Cup defeat at fourth-tier Fleetwood Town, with the 16-year-old having to serve a three-match suspension.

Dowman, who will miss Sunday's Premier League trip to Liverpool, was sent off in the 85th minute of Tuesday's fourth-round loss after an altercation with defender Harrison Neal as Arsenal lost 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

"This is the environment, this is the reality. We are not in Disneyland, we are in the Premier League," Arteta told a press conference on Friday following criticism from football ‌fans over his ‌reaction to Dowman after the red card.

Arteta gave ‌the ⁠teenager a stern ⁠look as he left the pitch at Fleetwood's Highbury Stadium and exchanged words with Dowman on his way down the tunnel, later saying that the issue was something the pair had spoken about before kickoff.

"We look after him so much but at the same time we're going to demand from him like everybody else because he needs to earn the right to play. Because ⁠the other boys, what are they going to say ‌to me? You need to be fair," ‌Arteta said.

Arteta said his response was driven by frustration over the consequences for Dowman, ‌adding that the teenager's profile meant he was likely to attract ‌attention from opponents. He dismissed any suggestion of a rift with the winger.

"There are no issues. We had a talk yesterday. I have done it. That's why I am so protective of these things, especially with young players because we have made ‌these mistakes and you know how much you can get punished and how much it can change what ⁠happens next," ⁠Arteta said.

The Spaniard also voiced his disappointment after an independent regulatory commission upheld Dowman's ban, rejecting Arsenal's appeal against the dismissal and punishment.

"Very disappointed, to be fair, especially with the reckless tackle that he received. His reaction is minimal compared to the action," he said of Neal's challenge on Dowman.

On the injury front, Arteta said Declan Rice and Riccardo Calafiori had resumed training after missing the Fleetwood match with issues suffered in last weekend's home win over Everton in the Premier League.

Bukayo Saka, however, remains sidelined with the quadriceps problem he sustained in the Champions League draw at Bayern Munich on October 21.

"He needed another scan to see how much of the fluid has resolved. Afterwards we'll know more about it," Arteta added.

Sports

No Big Bayern Changes Ahead of Klassiker Despite Coach Kompany Absence, Danks Says

Football - DFB Cup - Second Round - Bayern Munich v FC Magdeburg - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - October 28, 2026 Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks reacts. (Reuters)
Football - DFB Cup - Second Round - Bayern Munich v FC Magdeburg - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - October 28, 2026 Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks reacts. (Reuters)
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No Big Bayern Changes Ahead of Klassiker Despite Coach Kompany Absence, Danks Says

Football - DFB Cup - Second Round - Bayern Munich v FC Magdeburg - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - October 28, 2026 Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks reacts. (Reuters)
Football - DFB Cup - Second Round - Bayern Munich v FC Magdeburg - Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany - October 28, 2026 Bayern Munich assistant coach Aaron Danks reacts. (Reuters)

Bayern Munich will ‌not be making changes or preparing any differently for Saturday's Bundesliga Klassiker against Dortmund despite the absence of coach Vincent Kompany, assistant coach Aaron Danks said on Friday.

Kompany was discharged from hospital on Wednesday following his collapse in training last week due to a meningeal irritation but he is expected to be out for some time to recover. Danks is in charge for the second game after ‌their German Cup ‌win over Magdeburg this week.

The ‌Belgian ⁠coach had been rushed ⁠to hospital last week after collapsing during a second-team training session. He had been nursing a virus in the days before.

"We want the players to go out and show who they are," Danks told a press conference in Munich. "No big changes, ⁠no big differences for us. We will ‌be ready and super ‌competitive."

"There is a difference (in coaching). Vinnie did not want ‌his assistant coaches to be mini-Vinnies. We are ‌all different, but we complement each other," Danks said.

Bayern are top in the Bundesliga, ahead of Dortmund only on goal difference. They travel to Madrid to face Atletico ‌in the Champions League on Tuesday, with Danks, who has been in his ⁠position ⁠since 2024, expected to be in charge for at least the coming few games.

"What happened with Vinnie is difficult to prepare for," said Max Eberl, Bayern board member for sport. "What we said at the start of his illness is that we have a coaching staff. Vinnie is up front with a big personality but there is a whole team."

"It is nothing new for the lads. It is not a situation we could have planned for, but we have seamlessly made the transition."