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Simon Harmer claimed his career-best figures of 8 for 36, and 14 for 128 in the match. For Warwickshire, dismissed for 94, it added up to a whole lot of trouble

David Hopps at Chelmsford22-Jun-2017
ScorecardSimon Harmer did the hard yards on the third day. On the fourth, gifts were bestowed upon him. For Harmer, it all added up to his career-best figures of 8 for 36, and 14 for 128 in the match. For Warwickshire, dismissed for 94, it added up to a whole lot of trouble.While Essex strengthened their hold at the top of Division One, Warwickshire are marooned with Somerset at the bottom, 40 points away from safety. Defeat by an innings and 164 runs underlined the extent of their challenge and, soon after the finish, their coaching team were huddled in earnest conversation.As Harmer took the last wicket, in a hospitality box overlooking the ground Mohammad Amir confidently predicted that he could help Essex win the Championship. Neil Wagner departed with a magnum of champagne and public thanks during a lunchtime celebration – a sign that Essex are doing the small things well – and, in Amir, they have quite a replacement.Ryan ten Doeschate, Essex’s captain, was delighted with his side’s response so soon after their last-over defeat in the Royal London Cup semi-final against Nottinghamshire. “Obviously Friday’s defeat was massively disappointing, but it was up to us to bounce back and the Championship is vitally important,” he said.Bouncebackability owed much to Essex’s first-innings batting, but it was ultimately down to Harmer. A switch of ends, a decision made late in Warwickshire’s first innings, and a harder ball, both contributed to faster turn than he had achieved the previous day and Warwickshire succumbed shortly after lunch.”We didn’t think the wicket was going to turn all that much, hence we only played one spinner,” said ten Doeschate. “Harmi is a turning spinner and there is not much more you can say about 14 wickets in the match. It was great for Harmi – he has predominantly done the holding job for the first six games of the year so to be able to fulfil that attacking role is a feather in his cap.””The English summer has arrived,” said Harmer with a smile. Hmm, perhaps somebody should have a word and warn him that it is an itinerant beast.Harmer had put in a 39-over shift on the third day, the bulk of it to take 6 for 92 in the first innings, but there were immediate indications that he had managed to fall out of bed in decent order as he took up a central place in Essex’s attack.By the time he came on for the ninth over of the day, Essex’s pace attack, encouraged by dark, thundery skies, had already struck. Ian Bell, a Warwickshire captain who must find a way out of a calamitous season, fell to an excellent diving catch by wicketkeeper James Foster after nicking a good ball from Wagner, which bounced a shade from a demanding line. There was no shame in that dismissal, although Bell had also edged just short of first slip earlier in the over.Harmer needed just six deliveries to start adding to his tally, Andrew Umeed edging onto the back foot and falling lbw. In his next over, Sam Hain tried to bale out of what seemed to be a pre-meditated sweep, got in a tangle, and squirted a catch off one knee to ten Doeschate at short leg.For the second time in the match, Rikki Clarke eschewed his attacking inclinations and concentrated largely on survival. The lbw decision against him that Harmer won was bound to get a few replays in the Warwickshire dressing room. Clarke shouldered arms to a good-length ball that pitched well outside off stump and was adjudged lbw. With his departure, Warwickshire’s last chance had gone and Tim Ambrose cast his bat aside in frustration.Next ball, Keith Barker tried to paddle the delivery away, got a top edge and was caught behind by Foster. Jeetan Patel, whose leg-side assault had damaged Harmer’s figures in the first innings, fell lbw. By lunch, Harmer’s morning’s work amounted to 5 for 31 off 15 overs.The lunch interval was delayed by 15 minutes, without success, to try to complete the match, but Warwickshire’s last two wickets did not delay overlong thereafter. Boyd Rankin was lbw to surely the slowest, loopiest full toss that Harmer has ever bowled, leaving Sunny Singh to push a turning delivery to first slip in the next over.So the pitch upon which Essex suffered a heartbreaking 50-over defeat had provided consolation by wearing sufficiently quickly for Harmer’s benefit. Patel, a fellow offspinner, and a fine one at that, will rue the fact that Warwickshire lost the toss and imagine that he might also have felt the benefit.But luck rarely runs with a side at the bottom of the table. It is Essex who have become the story of the summer. Their top six has been sheltered from the storm by Alastair Cook and will soon have to prove its mettle without him. Harmer is the signing of the summer and the combative qualities of Wagner are about to give way to the sheen of Amir. And a clutch of promising young pace bowlers are a reminder that Essex remain committed to unearthing their own.Chris Silverwood, a coach with a rising reputation, was absent from the final day because he was feeling unwell, but there was much good news to aid his recovery.

أعرب رونالد أراوخو، لاعب فريق برشلونة، عن خيبة أمله بعدما تعرضوا لخسارة قاتلة في مباراة الأمس أمام ريال مدريد في الدوري الإسباني.

وخسر برشلونة بثلاثة أهداف مقابل هدفين، في الجولة الثانية والثلاثين من الليجا، على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو”.

وقال أراوخو في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية: “نحن حزينون بسبب الهزيمة، لقد كان أسبوعًا معقدًا، لقد أهدرنا المنافسة على لقب الدوري الإسباني”.

وأضاف: “لا أحب الحديث عن التحكيم، علينا أن نرى هدف يامال، على التكنولوجيا أن تحكم بشكل أفضل، بدا لي أن كرته دحلت المرمى”.

وأكد: “لكنها ليست أعذارًا، لقد فشلنا في التفاصيل، ليس فقط في هذه المباراة، ولكن أيضًا في المنافسة، علينا أن نستمر”.

وواصل: “من الواضح أنني حزين للغاية، لكنني قوي جدًا ذهنيًا وأحاول إظهار ذلك في كل مرة أكون فيها في الملعب”.

اقرأ أيضًا.. تقارير: صدمة لـ برشلونة بشأن إصابة دي يونج أمام ريال مدريد

وأردف: “ليست هناك حاجة لتوبيخ نفسي على أي شيء، دعونا نرفع رأسي ونحتل المركز الثاني، علينا فعل ذلك للمشاركة في كأس السوبر”.

وسُئل أراوخو عما دار بينه وبين جوندوجان بعد أزمة مباراة باريس سان جيرمان، الأربعاء الماضي، قال: “لقد توجه بالاعتذار لي”.

وكان جوندوجان قد انتقد أراوخو بسبب طرده في مباراة الأربعاء الماضي أمام باريس سان جيرمان، حيث رأى أن الأوروجواني لم يكن عليه فعل ذلك ما لم يكن واثقًا من قدرته على قطع الكرة دون عرقلة لاعب الخصم.

Warwickshire, bottom of the First Division, are putting up a fine scrap at Lord’s after England allrounder Chris Woakes joined a stubborn batting performance on the second day

ECB Reporters Network07-Aug-2017
1:21

County Championship round-up: Amir completes Yorkshire demolition

England all-rounder Chris Woakes made an impact with the bat on his return to Warwickshire’s side and Matt Lamb, grittily led the way in just his third first-class match, as Warwickshire fought back in determined style against champions Middlesex at Lord’s.Lamb, 21 last month and a product of Warwickshire’s age group system, played with the composure of a veteran across 165 balls and was joined by Woakes, Jonathan Trott and Andy Umeed in a battling performance which has breathed new life into a low-scoring contest.Woakes and Trott made half-centuries, with Woakes helping Lamb to add 102 in 32 overs for the sixth wicket in a partnership that could yet shape the destination of this game. Warwickshire had reached 293 for 8 by stumps, a lead of 258, with Ryan Higgins the pick of Middlesex’s bowlers with 4 for 49 and Tim Murtagh taking 3 for 52.Twenty wickets had fallen on day one, on a seaming surface, with Middlesex just 35 runs ahead on first innings after replying with 161 to Warwickshire’s 126, and a similar clatter of wickets was expected when the visitors began the second day still 23 runs adrift at 12 without loss.Dominic Sibley fell early, edging Murtagh to keeper John Simpson to go for 17, but then Trott and Umeed began to turn the tables by adding 73 in 20 overs for the second wicket.Middlesex’s pace attack, so hostile on the first morning, did not pose the same threat and both Steven Finn and Tom Helm bowled too many loose balls, but it was still a fine effort by the Warwickshire pair, with Trott hooking and pulling Helm to the boundary several times.Opener Umeed fell for 30, shouldering arms to the first ball of Higgins’s second spell from the Nursery End and watching aghast as it nipped up the slope to clip his off stump.Two balls later and Ian Bell was gone for a duck, leg-before to Higgins, who followed that up by having Trott caught behind in his next over for 54, made from only 73 balls and including 10 fours. Suddenly, Warwickshire had slumped from 100 for 1 to 109 for 4 at lunch, and a Middlesex victory again seemed the likeliest outcome.With the second ball of his second spell, Murtagh had Tim Ambrose caught at the wicket for 16 but, from 139 for 5, Lamb and Woakes led further resistance and batted with increasing confidence.The Wolverhampton-born Lamb drove the disappointing Finn through extra cover with a flourish for one of his 10 fours – as did Woakes in the same over – and the pair were still together at tea, which Warwickshire took in some comfort at 218 for 5.Higgins, summoned again to bowl his medium-pacers, ended the stand on 241 when Woakes, on 53, mishit to mid-on where Murtagh did well to hold on to a sprawling catch. Woakes had faced 93 balls, hitting 11 fours and it was a fine effort in his first match for two months following an intercostal muscle injury lay-off.The second new ball was taken at 255 for 6 and, in the fourth and fifth overs with it, Lamb edged Helm behind and Jeetan Patel was bowled for 0 aiming an ugly swipe at Murtagh.Keith Barker, though, found a willing partner in No 10 Chris Wright and a further 31 had been added for the ninth wicket when bad light ended play seven overs early. Barker is 30 not out, Wright is unbeaten on 11 and Warwickshire, bottom of Division One, will be aiming for their first championship win of the season on the third day of what has been a fascinating contest.

Aston Villa have backed manager Unai Emery in the summer transfer window after his efforts helped the club to qualify for the Europa Conference League last season.

Who have Aston Villa signed this summer?

The Villans have splashed the cash to bolster their options at the back and out wide, with Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby both having come in on permanent deals from Villarreal and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.

They both arrived after the Premier League side snapped up Belgium international Youri Tielemans on a free transfer from Leicester City, who have been relegated to the Championship.

Read the latest Aston Villa transfer news HERE…

However, not all of their transfers this summer may be done with a view to them making an immediate impact on the pitch, and reported target Matej Kovar is an example of that.

How old is Matej Kovar?

At the age of 23, the Manchester United titan could arrive at Villa Park as a long-term signing, rather than one with the intention of being made to improve the team in the short-term.

Monchi could land the future heir to Emiliano Martinez's position between the sticks by securing a deal to sign the Czech Republic U21 international.

The Argentina international joined Villa at the age of 27 in 2020 and had only played 101 competitive senior matches in his career prior to that.

He has since racked up 112 appearances for the club and has proven himself to be an excellent Premier League performer, which shows that goalkeepers can be late bloomers and that Kovar still has many years left ahead of him to fulfill his potential.

Kovar spent the 2022/23 campaign on loan to Sparta Prague and played 32 games in his home country, which came after temporary spells with Burton Albion and Swindon Town during the previous terms.

The 23-year-old colossus saved 65% of the efforts on his goal in the league for Sparta last season and pulled off a Martinez special with one penalty save out of three faced.

He also showcased his ability to play out from the back with a 91% pass completion rate within his own half, which shows that Emery could rely on him in possession.

His form for Sparta came after the 6 foot 5 giant averaged an exceptional Sofascore rating of 7.38 across six League One appearances for Burton during the 2021/22 campaign. Kovar kept four clean sheets and saved 83% of the shots on target against him in that time.

Therefore, the talented youngster, who was once hailed as the "ultimate professional" by Red Devils youth coach Neil Wood, could be the long-term heir to Martinez if he is able to eventually translate that level of performance over to Premier League level.

The current Villa number one, who won the World Cup with his country in 2022, averaged a Sofascore rating of 6.99 – the second-highest at the club – and saved 72% of the shots on his goal in the top-flight last season, whilst he also completed 91% of his passes in his side's own third.

These statistics do not suggest that Emery and Monchi need to replace Martinez in the short-term but bringing in Kovar, who is seven years younger than the ex-Arsenal man, could be a shrewd move for the future if the towering United ace is able to adapt to top division football.

توقع شادي محمد مدافع الأهلي السابق، نتيجة مباراة الإياب التي تجمع المارد الأحمر مع مازيمبي الكونغولي في دور نصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع مازيمبي، مساء الجمعة المقبل 26 أبريل، في مباراة العودة لنصف نهائي دوري أبطال إفريقيا على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

وكانت مباراة الذهاب التي جمعت الأهلي ومازيمبي، يوم السبت الماضي في مدنية لوبومباشي بالكونغو، انتهت بالتعادل السلبي.

وقال شادي خلال تصريحات عبر برنامج “بوكس تو بوكس” المذاع على قناة ETC: “أتوقع أن يفوز الأهلي 2-0 أمام مازيمبي في استاد القاهرة”.

وأضاف: “مازيمبي على ملعبه لا يخسر كثيرًا، يستغل الأرضية السيئة، وأمام بيراميدز فاز عليه بنتيجة كبيرة، لكنهم خارج ملعبهم ليسوا بالقوة المعهودة”.

وتابع: “الأهلي بنسبة كبيرة سيتخطى مازيمبي، لكن لا بد أن يتم احترام الخصم، وأتمنى تواجد الجماهير لأنهم يرعبون أي منافس”.

وواصل: “الأهلي مع كولر بدأ بتشكيل مناسب، وضاغط وهذا منح المارد الأحمر الأفضلية، ووسام أبو علي رأس حربة مُزعج جدًا ويصنع أزمات في دفاع الخصم”.

وأكمل: “مصطفى شوبير ما زال لم يفعل شيئًا، هو بدايته محترمة جدًا واللاعب الكبير دائمًا تكون بدايته كذلك، وأنا ضد أن نقول عنه دائمًا نجم، مصطفى حارس مميز ولكنه لم يفعل شيئًا بعد”.

طالع | مدرب مازيمبي: أعجبت بلاعب الأهلي كثيرًا.. لقد أجهد لاعبي فريقي

وأردف: “من يواجه الأهلي لن ينظر لغيابات الفريق الأحمر، القائمة بها 25 أو 30 لاعبًا، يجب أن تكون هناك ثقة في كل لاعب مُقيد، يُحسب لـ محمود متولي أنه يمتلك إصرارًا وعزيمة ولعب في ملعب سيء، وأحييه على مستواه الذي ظهر به”.

واستطرد: “أحمد عبد القادر لاعب كبير، يظهر في المباريات الكبيرة، وتألق بشكل غير طبيعي في مباراة الزمالك، كان يلعب بروح النادي الأهلي، وأنا مع معاقبة أي لاعب بالخصومات وليس بالابتعاد عن المشاركة”.

واستكمل: “ياسر إبراهيم لاعب رجل، طول الوقت يكون بعيدًا وبعد ذلك يُشارك ويكون رجلًا في الملعب ويُحرز أهدافًا مؤثرة، وهو مخلص للنادي ولم نسمع عن مشكلة افتعلها”.

وأتم: “رامي ربيعة ومحمد عبد المنعم ارتكبا أخطاء لا تُغتفر أمام الزمالك، ولكن أمام مازيمبي كانا أفضل، الثقة الزائدة لا تشفع، لأن المشاهد سيراك مغرورًا أو متعاليًا، الثقة الزائدة تضر، عبد المنعم لاعب متميز وتغطياته جيدة، لكنه مُطالب أن يُحافظ على نفسه من الغرور، لأن البعض يراه كذلك”.

وكان الأهلي خسر أمام الزمالك بهدفين مقابل هدف، في مباراة القمة التي أقيمت بينهما 15 أبريل ضمن مؤجلات الجولة العاشرة لبطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

Nottinghamshire Outlaws claimed their second NatWest T20 victory in as many days after defeating Northants Steelbacks by 12 runs under the DLS method

ECB Reporters Network22-Jul-2017
Nottinghamshire Outlaws claimed their second NatWest T20 victory in as many days after defeating Northants Steelbacks by 12 runs under the DLS method at Trent Bridge.Set a victory target of 196, the Outlaws had reached 52 without loss after 5.1 overs when heavy rain set in and prevented any further play. DLS at that time showed 40 as being the target.Richard Levi clubbed 88 off 43 balls but finished on the losing side•Getty Images

Alex Hales was unbeaten on 30 at the time, with Riki Wessels, who scored a century in Friday evening’s win over Derbyshire, on 14.Earlier, the visitors made 195 for 8 after being asked to bat first by Notts captain Dan Christian. Richard Levi top-scored with 88 from just 43 balls for the Steelbacks, bludgeoning seven fours and eight sixes in a brutal display of ball-striking.New Zealand legspinner Ish Sodhi claimed 3 for 39 for the home county, while Harry Gurney picked up two wickets in the final over to finish with 3 for 46.Levi’s innings gathered momentum in just the third over of the match, with Jake Ball twice being hit into the crowd. The South African clubbed three more sixes in his 26-ball half century, which boosted the Steelbacks’ total into three figures by the ninth over.Luke Wood stemmed the flow of runs with a brace of wickets from consecutive deliveries in the eleventh over. He had been made to wait until his fifth outing in this format before striking for the first time but he then bowled Ben Duckett for 28 and had Rory Kleinveldt caught at point from his next delivery.The youngster would also have added Levi to his tally but he over-stepped and was called for a no-ball as the opener lofted down the ground and into the hands of Steven Mullaney, when on 81.Levi only added seven more runs before Sodhi, who had earlier removed Adam Rossington for 17, had him taken by Hales on the midwicket fence, to the relief of most of the 7,638 crowd.Alex Wakely made 19 from 16 balls but he became Gurney’s 100th victim in T20 cricket when he picked out Wood at deep backward square leg when looking to accelerate.The paceman dismissed both Rob Newton and Steven Crook in the closing over before Ben Sanderson launched the final ball of the innings into the pavilion seats.It took Hales and Wessels only 4.3 overs to bring up the Notts’ 50 as they began their pursuit of 196. Light drizzle then began to intensify and the umpires had no option but to take the players from the field after just one delivery of the sixth over.The outcome lengthens Northants’ unhappy record at Trent Bridge, where they have never won in T20 cricket and where their last win in any format was a one-day success in 2003.They did taste success in their last meeting with the Outlaws, however, winning their semi-final clash at Finals Day last season.After losing their opening two matches, this time around, Notts now have four points from four games, whilst the defending champions missed out on a chance to take top spot in the north group but remain second on seven points from six matches.

Liverpool have held talks over a potential move for Eintracht Frankfurt attacking midfielder Jesper Lindstrom, with the Bundesliga club planning to sell him this summer, according to reports from Denmark.

What's the latest Liverpool transfer news?

Earlier in the window, it was reported that Inter Milan's Nicolo Barella would not push for a move to Anfield this summer, despite Jurgen Klopp being a keen admirer, however there have now been reports that he could be available for a fee of €80m (£69m).

Manchester City are also vying for the Italian's signature, so it may be a difficult transfer to orchestrate, but it is positive news that a move is not completely off the cards, should the Reds be willing to stump up the huge asking price.

Romeo Lavia also remains of interest to Liverpool, with it being reported the Southampton midfielder is now very close to completing his move, as the deal is now entering its final phase, and a €50m (£43m) is likely to be agreed.

One of Klopp's more attacking targets is Lindstrom, with reports from Denmark now confirming that talks have already been held over a deal for the midfielder, who is also of interest to Premier League rivals Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

Frankfurt are planning for a summer sale, and they would find it very hard to say no to a good offer, with the report detailing that the Dane's price could rise as high as €55m (£47m), should there be an auction.

Alongside the English clubs, RB Leipzig, Juventus, Napoli and Inter Milan are all named as potential suitors for the 23-year-old, so there will be no shortage of interest in his services this summer.

However, only Liverpool, Arsenal and Juventus have "made contact" with Frankfurt thus far.

How good is Jesper Lindstrom?

Lauded as a "huge talent" by Frankfurt teammate Kevin Trapp, the attacking midfielder has put in some top-quality performances in the Bundesliga over the past couple of seasons, weighing in with seven goals and four assists in 27 league games last season.

Over the past year, the Denmark international ranks in the 80th percentile for non-penalty goals per 90, highlighting his attacking threat, while he also places in the 88th percentile for blocks, indicating he is willing to pitch in defensively.

However, there are still some areas in which the former Brondby man must improve, ranking in just the 15th percentile for assists, which may be a result of his poor passing ability, averaging a pass-completion rate of just 63.7% in the past year.

Considering he is only 23, the Frankfurt star, who has admitted he supports Liverpool, has plenty of time to develop further, but there are doubts over he justifies a big outlay for the Reds, as he is yet to prove himself as one of the top players in the Bundesliga.

Instead, it may be wise to focus on signing Barella, as the Cagliari-born star has performed very well in the Serie A over the past few years, recording 13 assists in the 2021-22 campaign, as well as six goals and seven assists in the most recent campaign.

Everton have now leapfrogged other Premier League clubs to lead the race to sign Manchester United and England centre-back Harry Maguire this summer.

How much does Harry Maguire earn?

The 30-year-old has had a tough time of late, losing his place in United's regular starting lineup, and having to make do with a squad role instead. Only eight Premier League starts came his way last season and Erik ten Hag has now made the decision to take the captaincy away from him, giving it to Bruno Fernandes instead.

For that reason, it could be that the £189,000-a-week-earning Maguire looks for a move away this summer, in order to be a regular elsewhere and keep his place in England's team secure ahead of Euro 2024 next summer. His current deal at Old Trafford expires in 2025, but the Red Devils could jump at the chance to earn good money for him now.

Read the latest Everton transfer news HERE…

Everton are eyeing defensive reinforcements ahead of the new season that starts later this month, with Conor Coady's loan move not made permanent at the end of the 2022/23 campaign, and it looks as though the United and England man could now be a serious target.

Could Everton sign Harry Maguire?

According to Football Insider, Everton are now in pole position to snap up Maguire this summer, jumping ahead of others in the queue:

"Everton have leapfrogged Tottenham and West Ham in the race to sign Man United defender Harry Maguire, sources have told Football Insider. The three Premier League clubs, as well as Chelsea, have registered their interest in signing the England centre-back before the window shuts.

"United are willing to sell Maguire, 30, but he is on big wages of nearly £200,000-a-week and that deal runs for two more years."

There is no question that Maguire's form has dipped in recent years, having initially being a strong player for England, earning him a move to United in the first place, but he could be an excellent signing by Everton.

While Ten Hag's style of play doesn't suit the Englishman, with his high line exposing the centre-back's lack of pace, Sean Dyche's lower block could be ideal for him, allowing him to showcase his aerial dominance and leadership.

Maguire won three aerial duels per game across five appearances at the 2022 World Cup, highlighting that area of his game, but he also averaged 2.6 clearances per match in the Premier League last season. A tally of 57 England caps and 175 United appearances shows the experience that he now possesses, and he could form an impressive defensive partnership with James Tarkowski, rebuilding his career in the process.

Ten Hag has still hailed Maguire as a "dominant" player recently, despite losing his place, as well as praising his "dictating of the game", and if Everton are willing to spend fairly big on him, he could prove to be an underrated signing who is perfect for the Blues.

It could be that he is desperate to fight for his place at United, though, which could put paid to the move happening, but while some may turn their noses up at the idea of him at Goodison Park, we think he'll prove them wrong if a deal goes through.

Virat Kohli has said India will not be afraid of taking risks and experimenting with players in different roles in order to discover the best combination ahead of the 2019 World Cup

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Aug-20174:21

‘All about giving roles to players and experimenting as a team’ – Kohli

It’s almost nine years to the day that Virat Kohli, a sprightly teenager fresh out of a successful Under-19 World Cup campaign, made his ODI debut for India in Dambulla. Now, he returns to the same venue as India captain, looking to build on a series of impressive results in recent times, but with an eye on the 2019 World Cup, which is little under two years away.The five-match series that starts on Sunday is crucial for Sri Lanka, who need two wins to ensure direct qualification for the 2019 World Cup. For Kohli, though, the priorities are to have a group that can embrace different challenges and push themselves to the limit in their quest to find the best possible set of players for that World Cup.”For us, it’s about the time frame and not the opposition,” he said on the eve of the first ODI. “Now is the time, you have to give players time in certain roles to get into the groove and understand what we need to do in reaching that World Cup. It’s about when you want to start giving roles to players and start experimenting as a team. We get carried away sometimes with Team India’s expectations, and you have to win every game, that we don’t fall away from pattern.”As a group, criticism will come along the way if you try things and lose. But we should be ready to embrace challenges, take risks and [be] ready to lose a few games if we need to try out something. We’re comfortable as a team with starting those things off, trying things in different ways. Things will happen. We need to start making the effort now because eight to ten months down the line, we will be solid in our roles.”Before that can happen, India will need to identify different players for different roles. Among the batsmen auditioning for middle-order berths will be KL Rahul and Manish Pandey, now that Yuvraj Singh and Dinesh Karthik have been left out. Rahul’s consistency across formats before his shoulder injury means he’s likely to slot in straight away, barring injury or illness. Pandey, who has been shunted up and down the order, may have to continue to adapt even if he’s coming off a dream run during India A’s tour of South Africa, where he made scores of 55, 41*, 86*, 93* and 32* in a successful campaign. Pandey’s presence in the squad could put Kedar Jadhav, the incumbent No. 6, under a bit of pressure to maintain his recent run of ODI form with bat and ball.”We feel KL [Rahul] obviously is such a solid player. Before injury, he’d done well in all three formats. It was unfortunate he missed out, and Manish got chances. KL will definitely play in the middle order,” Kohli said. “We’re not going to be predictable or have a set pattern any more in terms of what we want to do in ODIs and T20 cricket.”Anyone could go anywhere. That’s what we are looking to do. Someone like Manish, he’s done well, grabbed his opportunities. He’s got a hundred in Australia. We know about his talent, what he brings, super-fit guy who has a bright future ahead of him. He will certainly be backed. All three guys will have to compete for two spots, there are no guarantees for anyone. As long as there is healthy competition, everyone would keep pushing each other and it will only benefit Indian cricket.”The one thing Kohli categorically stated, though, was that Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma would be the first-choice openers, even though Ajinkya Rahane finished India’s last ODI series, in the West Indies, as the highest run-getter. For now, Rahane may have to bide his time for opportunities, with Kohli confirming he would be the side’s back-up opener.”It’s a pecking order you need to look at. Shikhar was not the mix of things till a few months back, but when he comes back, you’ve seen what he can do. It becomes tough to understand what you can do in that situation,” Kohli said. “He came and got Golden Bat in the Champions Trophy, he’s continued his form and won two Test matches with the bat. So he’s an impact player, we all know that. Shikhar and Rohit, what they’ve done in the past together, we understand their potential also. Jinx understands that. At this stage, he’s the third opener.”We will back him there, because he’s been shifted around a bit in the batting order which is not healthy for a guy who likes to open in the shorter format. But he’s grabbed his opportunity in West Indies where he was Man of the Series. So he continues to be in the set up. When you get larger number of chances depends on players’ form. He’s much more relaxed after the West Indies series.”

علق توماس توخيل المدير الفني لفريق كرة القدم الأول بنادي بايرن ميونخ الألماني، على مواجهة ريال مدريد في نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ريال مدريد يحل ضيفًا على بايرن ميونخ مساء الثلاثاء المقبل على ملعب أليانز أرينا، في ذهاب نصف نهائي دوري أبطال أوروبا 2023\2024.

طالع أيضًا.. بايرن ميونخ يرد على أنباء ارتباط رانجنيك بخلافة توخيل

توخيل في تصريحات عقب الفوز على إينتراخت فرانكفورت، نقلتها صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية، قال: “ريال مدريد يتمتعون بجودة عالية للغاية”.

وأضاف: “لدى الفريق قدرة مذهلة على تبادل المراكز بين لاعبيه، والحفاظ على إيقاعهم في الهجمات المرتدة أمر مقلق بالنسبة لأي فريق يواجههم”.

وشدد توخيل: “إذا نظرت إلى الأهداف والفرص التي يصنعها ريال مدريد، فإنك لا تراها قادمة منذ بدايتها، ولكن في غفلة لثوانٍ من المنافس، تجد ريال مدريد في مناطق الخطورة”.

وتعتبر المباراة القادمة هي الأولى التي يتواجه فيها العملاقان الأوروبيان منذ نصف نهائي عام 2018، حيث فاز ريال مدريد 4-3 بنتيجة المباراتين قبل أن يفوز على ليفربول 3-1 في النهائي.