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Babar Azam’s team have been in India for a little over a week and they’ve been well looked after ahead of their World Cup opener

Shashank Kishore05-Oct-2023As the Pakistan team bus zooms into the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad, their motorcade of armed police jeeps containing a few hundred security personnel quickly swing into action. They spread themselves across the outdoor nets area within a blink of an eye, just before the team comes out to train.Behind the police jeeps, there’s a van full of trained commandos that makes a swift entry. As they disembark, their chief issues orders detailing the areas they will survey and the activities they have to carry out. A local liaison officer is then briefed by the security chief, and plans are relayed across walkie-talkies to various department heads around the venue.It’s not hard to understand why security is so elaborate. There’s body frisking at every entry point; those with a valid pass only have it slightly better than many others, and fans making a beeline outside the gates to catch a glimpse of the players, or those trying to get hold of tickets, are kept out.Even before the Pakistan team emerges from the dressing room, three armed guards station themselves besides the perimeter of the nets area, while six others are at the entrance of the main pavilion block as Babar Azam strides out with his team after a slip catching drill inside the main ground.Related

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• Pakistan? Un-Pakistan? Neither? Which will it be?

• Pakistan brace for Netherlands challenge amid form, injury and off-field concerns

These guards with dark glasses have their backs to the action. They’re so seasoned that they don’t flinch or move a muscle, even when someone with the ferocious ball-striking capabilities of Iftikhar Ahmed, or Ifti as the team calls him affectionately, goes about his business. As he has a hit, repeatedly swinging big to the chorus of ‘played, yaar’ from team director Mickey Arthur, the sound of ball on bat echoes around the concrete stadium.As Pakistan go about training, the intense security seems overwhelming to the bystander watching from afar. But if you’re wondering whether Pakistan feel the same way, remember that they play under heavy security when hosting international teams at home. They’ve taken the protection in their stride at the World Cup, with smiles on faces amid the warm hospitality they’ve received in Hyderabad.At the ground, organisers have gone out of their way to procure many more kilos of ice than originally requested for, and the chef has tailored local delicacies to the taste of the players. This is i, Hyderabadi style, where food is an integral part of the conversation. Generous cups of Irani chai and diet Karachi biscuits – a local delicacy – are served, apart from dishes curated by the team trainer to ensure players aren’t loading themselves up prior to a training session or match.Back at the hotel, the Pakistani players have an entire floor to themselves, cut-off from the general public, and a dedicated set of staff to cater to the team’s needs. There’s a separate dining area, a cordoned off swimming pool that’s kept open beyond usual hours to accommodate late recovery requests, and round-the-clock security that makes arrangements for the team if they want to head out.Four nights ago, the entire team visited Jewel of Nizam, near the famous Golconda Fort, for dinner. A section of the route was turned into a green channel to facilitate smooth movement. On their plate were different varieties of kebabs, biryani and lots of spicy local food. and were favourites. It was Pakistan’s first and only outing since arriving in India.Mohammad Bashir might be the only Pakistani fan at their opening game against Netherlands in Hyderabad•Mohammad BashirOnly a week ago, there was so much uncertainty around Pakistan’s journey to India. Visa delays had prompted the team to cancel a training trip to Dubai. Now, those teething troubles have been long forgotten and the team appeared at ease with their environment. The only hint of regret, from Babar at the captain’s event in Ahmedabad on the eve of the tournament opener, was the absence of Pakistani fans.Babar has been asked several times about the welcome his team received in India. How the airport came to life as news spread that Pakistan had arrived. Babar has said he’s been surprised, not just on arrival but also at their warm-up games.”To be honest, we also heard that,” he said, when asked if the team thought they’d receive a hostile reception. “But since the time we arrived in Hyderabad, the kind of hospitality we’ve received and the kind of welcome we had from the airport to the hotel … even in the last match at the ground we felt very good.”On Friday, Babar will be able to hear shouts of ‘Pakistan jeetega’ and ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ from an elderly gentleman, 66-year-old Mohammad Bashir, who is a bit of an anomaly in Hyderabad. He’s perhaps a lone ranger, the only Pakistani fan in the city.Bashir is from Karachi, but he’s been able to make it in time for their first game against Netherlands only because he’s a now a US citizen. He’s been traveling to World Cups since 2011 and has quite a rapport with several Indian players, including MS Dhoni and Rohit Sharma. Bashir has several photos with them and their families, and says Dhoni and Rohit regularly give him tickets for ICC events. Bashir says while he isn’t as familiar with the current Pakistan players, he’s excited to watch Babar and Mohammad Rizwan “do something special” at the World Cup.In June, much against his doctor’s wishes, he decided to travel to India to watch the tournament. All he knew then was that he would be based in Hyderabad, the hometown of his wife, Rafia. To many, Bashir has already become a familiar face around the ground. He cheers for the players, waves the Pakistan flag passionately, and belts out chants that resonate loudly around the ground.He’s mighty impressed with the ” Hyderabad has given him. It’s likely the Pakistan team will share the sentiment when they reflect on this World Cup campaign many years later.

Willingness to go hard from the first ball rips contest from England’s grasp in series-leveller

Deivarayan Muthu14-Mar-20212:13

Ishan Kishan – ‘Batting second we knew the the wicket would play better’

Jason Roy missed three reverse-sweeps against India’s gun spinner Yuzvendra Chahal, but that didn’t persuade him to shelve that shot or slow down. He rolled out two more reverse-sweeps against Chahal and swatted them away for boundaries. Such relentless attacking intent at the top has been a missing ingredient in India’s T20I recipe for a while.In the T20I series opener on Friday, India tested out Shikhar Dhawan, who had undergone a transformation of sorts from an anchor to an aggressor in IPL 2020, at the top along with KL Rahul, one half of India’s first-choice T20I opening combination; Rohit Sharma being the other (of course).Dhawan managed a mere 4 off 12 balls on Friday before he was ripped out by Mark Wood. In the second T20I on Sunday, Kishan stepped in for Dhawan and provided India with that magical missing ingredient they’ve been searching for, on his international debut.India had lost Rahul for a duck to Sam Curran in a first-over wicket maiden, chasing 165, on a grippy, sluggish Motera track. India’s new opener Kishan was anything but sluggish, marrying intent with execution and swagger. He whipped the very first delivery he faced, from Jofra Archer, for four and rumbled to 28-ball half-century. According to ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball data, Kishan was defensive against two of the 32 balls he faced, providing a peek into the new, no-holds-barred approach that India captain Kohli had promised on the eve of the series opener.Kishan’s left-handedness at the top may have also foiled England’s plan of using legspinner Adil Rashid as a new-ball enforcer once again. Eoin Morgan held Rashid back until the eighth over and once he came on, Kishan lined him up and smoked him for 21 off 10 balls, including two sixes (and one rather ugly drop).Kishan had started out as a leg-side basher in white-ball cricket, but in the UAE in IPL 2020, he expanded his repertoire without losing his explosiveness. Quite surprisingly, Kishan didn’t start the last IPL season for the Mumbai Indians, with the franchise leaning towards his Jharkhand state-mate Saurabh Tiwary, who seemed better-equipped to access the shorter, straighter boundaries in Abu Dhabi.The dimensions in Ahmedabad are fairly comparable to the ones in Abu Dhabi: the square boundaries are longer than the straighter ones. So Kishan showcased his white-ball evolution by not targetting his favourite square boundaries and instead peppering the arc between deep midwicket and wide long-on. He scored 25 runs in that arc, as opposed to 16 square on the wicket on either side.Ishan Kishan used the pull for a lot of runs•Getty ImagesAll of this meant Kishan dominated a 94-run second-wicket stand with Kohli and bent England’s attack out of shape.”When you play in the IPL with such dominance like he has, against quality bowlers, we’ve seen him hit international fast bowlers for big sixes,” Kohli said of Kishan at the post-match presentation. “He’s a fearless character. He should continue to back his instincts. We had a conversation out in the middle where he understood and analysed the game very smartly. He knew he was hitting the ball well so he kept taking his chances. But he was calculated. He wasn’t reckless. And that’s what you want to see in youngsters. Coming in, looking composed, still backing themselves but being aware of what the situation of the game is and I think today that counterattacking innings of his and our partnership [94 runs off 54 balls] was something that the team needed and he provided that for the team.”Related

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Kishan’s Man-of-the-Match-winning performance on T20I debut only enhances his reputation as a versatile player. He can also float in the middle order, as he has done successfully for Mumbai, and keep wickets when needed. He said that he was open to performing any role for India as they tune up for the T20 World Cup that they will host later this year.”I feel that as you play higher levels in cricket, there’s no fixed spot for you,” Kishan said during the post-match virtual-media interaction. “It’s not like you will only open; you keep on floating. Like there’s a lot of emphasis on left-right combination these days, so I don’t think of any spot, I play the situation. I try to do whatever the team needs from me.”The evening started for Kishan with Kohli handing over his maiden cap, and it ended with his captain patting him on his head and an Ahmedabad crowd of 66,352 clapping him off. “I don’t know if I’m going to get this feeling again. It was truly….I was just looking all over the ground and I was so happy that finally I’m here,” Kishan said at the post-match presentation. And he certainly belongs here.

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Em solidariedade com a tragédia que vem assolando a população no Rio Grande do Sul, o Corinthians irá disponibilizar o CT Joaquim Grava para o Grêmio. O clube gaúcho usará as instalações do Timão a partir do dia 17 de maio.

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➡️ Vai dar Brasil? Aposte no Lance! Betting e fature com a Copa América

– O Corinthians reforça seu compromisso de solidariedade com o povo do Rio Grande do Sul e com os clubes e instituições esportivas que foram afetadas pelas chuvas no estado, colocando a Neo Química Arena, o Parque São Jorge e os centros de treinamento do futebol profissional e de base à disposição das equipes gaúchas – publicou o Corinthians em nota.

➡️ Siga o Lance! Corinthians no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Timão

Com a CBF confirmando a paralisação do Brasileirão pelas próximas duas rodadas, o Grêmio deve voltar a campo apenas no dia 29 de maio, contra o The Strongest, pela fase de grupos da Libertadores. Já o Corinthians enfrenta o São Paulo, na Neo Química Arena, no dia 2 de junho.

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➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários de todos os jogos do Brasileirão

Tudo sobre

CorinthiansGrêmio

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O Cruzeiro negocia a contratação do meia Thiago Mendes, que está no Al-Rayyan, do Qatar. Segundo o “ge”, o volante vê a possibilidade de voltar ao Brasil com 32 anos de forma positiva.

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➡️ A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta e tá na mão!

Novo CEO da Raposa, Alexandre Mattos está à frente das negociações pela contratação do jogador. O clube não vê a negociação de forma simples por conta do interesse de outras equipes pelo atleta.

Além disso, o Cruzeiro precisaria comprar Thiago Mendes em definitivo, uma vez que o meia tem apenas mais um ano de contrato com o Al-Rayyan. No entanto, não há informações sobre tempo de contrato que os mineiros estariam dispostos a oferecer.

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Revelado pelo Goiás, o volante se destacou com o Esmeraldino e foi contratado pelo São Paulo em 2015. Após dois anos no Tricolor, o atleta se transferiu para o Lille e, posteriormente, foi para o Lyon.

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CruzeiroThiago Mendes

It has become a frustratingly familiar sight at Liverpool, with Alexander Isak trudging off in the second half against Inter Milan having had little impact up against last season’s beaten Champions League finalists.

The man whom Virgil van Dijk lauded as “the most in-form striker” in the world ahead of March’s Carabao Cup final, the 26-year-old looks like a shadow of his former self right now.

With just two goals to his name in all competitions thus far, only one of which has come in the Premier League, the Reds are in need of far better, with Isak running out of rope despite the potential impact of a lack of pre-season.

Of course, a delayed start to life at Anfield, following that need to get up to speed fitness-wise, has played its part in the Swede making just 14 appearances to date, while the chaos around him has likely not helped matters either.

Indeed, as the explosive Mohamed Salah debacle has epitomised, Arne Slot has yet to settle on a consistent forward line in 2025/26 – might that all change in January, however?

Latest on Liverpool's transfer search

For all the talk of a £450m spend over the summer, there is evidently a need for further reinforcements at Anfield heading into the New Year, with centre-back still an area of concern amid the lack of depth beyond Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

Having come agonisingly close to moving to Merseyside on deadline day, Marc Guehi seemingly remains a leading target ahead of the winter window, with the Englishman now left with just six months on his existing deal at Selhurst Park.

Of course, the exclusion, and potential exit, of Salah has also highlighted the need to bolster the ranks at the top end of the pitch too, with Slot particularly short on depth on either flank.

Well, with that search underway, the Reds might have received some welcome news, with TEAMtalk reporting that Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo has made Anfield his ‘preferred destination’, if and when he does decide to leave the south coast side.

As per the report, despite rival interest from the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, it is Liverpool who are believed to be the Ghanaian’s ‘first choice’, with there a ‘real chance’ that he could move on next month.

Available for £65m, due to his much-publicised release clause, the 25-year-old wouldn’t exactly break the bank, but he could be the missing piece for Slot’s attacking jigsaw.

How Liverpool could finally get Isak firing

There’s no denying it, Liverpool look like they’ve been burned by their £125m investment in Isak, with the 6 foot 4 marksman almost unrecognisable from the player who terrorised Premier League defences for the Magpies.

It may matter little considering his current form, although it’s worth remembering just how highly-rated he was just a matter of months ago, having ended 2024/25 with 23 league goals to his name, after netting 21 times in the top-flight the year prior.

The difference? Well, in the view of Slot, it could be the lack of a suitable supplier from the flanks, with the Dutch coach pointing to the fruitful partnership that Isak enjoyed with Jacob Murphy at St James’ Park.

As per Transfermarkt, Murphy assisted his free-scoring colleague 11 times in all competitions for the Tynesiders, with the unsung hero offering a reliable source of creativity from his right-wing berth.

While no doubt a step above the Englishman, having been hailed as the “best winger in the country” by Chris Waddle, Semenyo could be the Murphy-esque figure that Isak is in need of, having wreaked havoc down the flanks in recent seasons.

Erling Haaland

18

Igor Thiago

11

Bruno Fernandes

10

Antoine Semenyo

9

Phil Foden

8

Richarlison

8

Cody Gakpo

7

Leandro Trossard

7

Jean-Philippe Mateta…

7

Currently looking “unstoppable” under Andoni Iraola, in the view of pundit Darren Bent, the ex-Bristol City man has six goals and three assists to his name this season.

With blistering pace and lethal on either foot, Semenyo is in the form of his life right now, having also ended 2024/25 with 16 goals and assists in the Premier League.

The key benefit for Isak would be the 11 ‘big chances’ that the £65m man created last term, as per Sofascore, highlighting how he could emerge as Isak’s chief supplier under Slot’s watch.

As was evident with his stunning, solo goal on the opening day at Anfield, the Bournemouth talisman can also turn defence into attack in an instant, while occupying defenders to free up space for those around him.

That sense of chaos and unpredictability could help to breathe new life into Slot’s forward line, with Isak likely to be the big beneficiary if he can convert the ample opportunities that should fall his way.

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Arsenal beat German champions Bayern Munich 3-1 on a night to remember in Europe, and one Gunners star absolutely stole the show with his performance.

Mikel Arteta’s side were handed one of their toughest tests on paper tonight against a Bayern side who are still unbeaten in the Bundesliga and one of the favourites to win the Champions League, but they were no match for the Premier League frontrunners in north London.

Bayern had also won all but one of their matches in all competitions this season heading into their trip to the Emirates, with Arsenal handing Vincent Kompany’s side their first defeat of 2025/2026.

Second-half goals from Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli ended up firing Arsenal to victory in their heavyweight clash. Madueke, back after two months out with a knee injury, scored his first Gunners goal before fellow sub Martinelli pounced on a mistake from Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer to stretch Arsenal’s perfect record in the competition to five victories from five matches.

Earlier, Jurrien Timber had headed Arsenal into the lead and, with former Tottenham striker Harry Kane unable to add to the six goals he has scored at the Emirates, it was left to Bayern’s 17-year-old star Lennart Karl to grab the first goal Arsenal have conceded in the competition this season.

This glamour tie was arguably the least important of Premier League leaders Arsenal’s three matches this week, sandwiched between the 4-1 derby demolition of Spurs and Sunday’s trip to second-placed Chelsea.

Nevertheless, it is still one to revel in, and the result perhaps hands Arsenal the status of Europe’s best team right now.

While Timber, Madueke and Martinelli were the heroes on paper, it was a complete midfield performance by club-record signing Declan Rice, who absolutely bossed proceedings in the middle of the park with one of his best ever displays in red and white.

Ally McCoist hails 'out of this world' Declan Rice in Arsenal win

Covering the game for TNT Sports, commentator Ally McCoist repeatedly waxed lyrical about the England international — branding him Man of the Match for his “first class” outing against the Bavarians.

Rice was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet as well on 60 minutes, with the former West Ham captain storming down the left only for veteran keeper Manuel Neuer to deny him just reward for his imperious showing.

McCoist called Rice “magnificent” and “out of this world” for the run, which just about summed up what was a possessed performance from one of Arsenal’s leaders.

Tonight was a massive statement from Arsenal, who not only showed they can cut it against Europe’s toughest opponents, but also sent a very clear message that they’ve got absolutely zero intention of letting up.

Next up, a fierce London derby awaits against Chelsea this weekend — a match which could send Arteta’s side nine points clear at the top of the table and cement their status as overwhelming title favourites.

Rice will be a massive part of that, and tonight shows just how vital he is in Arteta’s quest to end the club’s 22-year wait for a Premier League trophy.

The Arizona Diamondbacks agreed to a four-year, $45 million contract extension with shortstop Geraldo Perdomo on Monday, ESPN's Jeff Passan reports.

The extension includes a club option for the 2030 season at $15 million with a $3 million buyout, along with a $5 million signing bonus. Perdomo's extension will start in 2026 and removes up to three years of free agency that he was set to have.

The 25-year-old has been with the Diamondbacks for his entire MLB career thus far after making his debut in 2021. Now, he will remain in Arizona through at least 2029.

Perdomo competed in 98 games last season and slashed .273/.344/.374. He had three home runs and 37 RBIs, with 92 hits and 61 runs scored on the season. He missed some time after tearing his meniscus in early April, which required surgery. He returned in June to help the Diamondbacks during their 89–73 season.

Unlike seasons prior, it feels like Manchester City are flying under the radar a little bit this year.

They may have lost two games earlier in the campaign, but with their 2-0 win over Everton and Liverpool’s loss to Manchester United, Pep Guardiola’s side are now second in the Premier League and three points off Arsenal.

Moreover, unlike their two biggest title rivals, the Citizens have a reliable centre-forward leading the line who is currently scoring goals for fun.

Erling Haaland is arguably in the form of his life, and while some may criticise Man City for being a one-man team, the free-scoring Norwegian could end that discourse by helping one of the summer signings reach his sky-high potential this season.

Are Man City a one-man team?

So, even though they are just a win off top spot in the league, there is some talk over them being a ‘one-man team,’ an idea stemming from and given crednce by the lack of goals from elsewhere in the side.

For example, across all competitions, Haaland has scored 14 goals and provided one assist so far this season and the next highest score is Phil Foden, with just two goals to his name.

Unfortunately, it is even worse when looking at the league alone.

Here, the former Borussia Dortmund star has 11 goals and one assist to his name in eight games, but then nobody else in the team has scored more than one.

Even then, only four players have found themselves on the scoresheet aside from the leading man himself.

While City are doing well, this is undeniably worrying, as if the Norwegian monster was to get injured and miss a month or two of action, who would step-up?

Fortunately, it’s still early on in the campaign, and City have talented players who could become more prolific as it goes, including one who, with the help of Haaland, could become one of the best players in the world.

The Man City gem Haaland could make World-Class

Haaland may be the clear standout for Man City so far this season, but there are plenty of talented names in the squad who could get better and better as the campaign goes on.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

For example, arguably the most exciting younger star in the side, and the one who could go on to become a world-beater, is Rayan Cherki.

The Frenchman joined the club from Lyon in the summer, scored on his Premier League debut, but then missed almost two months of action with a hamstring injury.

Fortunately, the 22-year-old international made his return to first team action with a five-minute cameo against Everton on Saturday, and fans should be very, very excited about how good he could be.

After all, The Athletic’s Alex Barker described him as a “future Ballon d’Or winner” just a couple of years ago, and while that might sound a tad hyperbolic, his numbers and output suggest otherwise.

In 48 appearances, totalling 3218 minutes last season, the Lyon-born gem scored 13 goals and provided 21 assists, which comes out to a staggering average of a goal involvement every 1.41 games, or every 94.64 minutes.

Moreover, FBref ranked him in the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers in Ligue 1 last season for expected assists, key passes, passes into the penalty area, shot-creating actions and more, all per 90.

In other words, the ambipedal game-changer is an attacking force of nature capable of creating an abundance of chances as well as being able to take them himslef.

So, it wouldn’t be wild to think that, when he’s fully fit and up to speed, he could play a massive role in helping the team become a little less reliant on Haaland.

At the same time, the Norwegian’s unreal finishing ability could see the Frenchman rack up an incredible number of assists this season and beyond, in turn helping him to fufil the sky-high potential so many believ him to have.

Ultimately, it might take a few weeks, but Cherki could be the solution to many City’s issues this season, and a future superstar.

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The Citizens could follow a familiar trend in their latest pursuit.

By
Sean Markus Clifford

Oct 19, 2025

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s emotional return to Anfield is set to take a dramatic twist, with the Real Madrid defender ‘highly unlikely’ to start against his former club. The 27-year-old, still recovering from a hamstring injury, remains short of full fitness and is expected to watch from the bench as Federico Valverde continues to deputise at right-back for Xabi Alonso’s side.

• Alexander-Arnold unlikely to start for Real Madrid at Liverpool

  Alexander-Arnold is not expected to feature from the start when Real Madrid face Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The 27-year-old, who joined the Spanish giants from the Reds in the summer of 2025, has been sidelined since mid-September after sustaining a hamstring injury in a clash against Marseille. Although he made the bench for El Clasico and again this past weekend, he has yet to play a single minute since his recovery began.

  As per The Athletic, sources close to the club have confirmed that Alexander-Arnold is still following an eight-week rehabilitation plan, with this fixture marking the seventh week of that schedule. Real Madrid’s medical staff and Alonso are keen not to risk aggravating the injury, especially with the defender still short of match sharpness. As a result, he is deemed “highly unlikely” to start at Anfield, though he may be included among the substitutes for a potential cameo appearance late in the match.

  With both Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal unavailable to start, Alonso is expected to persist with Valverde at right-back yet again. The Uruguayan midfielder has filled in admirably over Madrid’s past five matches. This tactical continuity, coupled with Alexander-Arnold’s lingering fitness concerns, makes it improbable that the former Liverpool vice-captain will start on his long-awaited return to Merseyside.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Slow start to life in Madrid for Alexander-Arnold

  Alexander-Arnold’s first season in Spain has been far from straightforward. Since his summer move to Real Madrid, the right-back has featured in only ten matches across all competitions, struggling to establish himself amid injuries and fierce competition for places in Alonso’s right-back hierarchy.

  For Alexander-Arnold, the situation reflects both the difficulty of adjusting to a new environment and the physical toll of having played the Club World Cup and a quickfire pre-season.

  Having moved from the Premier League to La Liga after nearly two decades at Liverpool, the Englishman has faced a steep learning curve in adapting to Alonso’s system, with Carvajal being preferred when both are fully fit.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Alexander-Arnold: Liverpool hero to villain

  Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid in 2025 was one of the biggest stories of the football year. After spending twenty years at Liverpool, he left Anfield under a cloud of controversy, opting not to renew his contract and instead agreeing to a free transfer to Madrid. The Reds reluctantly accepted a £10 million compensation package that allowed him to join the Spanish champions early to compete in the Club World Cup.

  The decision divided opinion among Liverpool supporters. While many admired his achievements, others felt betrayed by his choice to leave without a transfer fee. His return to Anfield, therefore, carries a unique emotional weight and a sense of confrontation. Liverpool boss Arne Slot has already promised to welcome his former player warmly, but the reaction from the crowd remains unpredictable.

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• Alonso offers update on Alexander-Arnold

  In the short term, Real Madrid’s focus will be on managing Alexander-Arnold’s recovery carefully. Manager Xabi Alonso offered an update on the defender ahead of the game. He told reporters: "He’s available, and he didn’t play the other day because of the circumstances of the match. We need him because he has tremendous quality. It’s a new stage for him, and we have to help him and give him what he needs to perform because he’s an exceptional player in this squad.”

  For Alexander-Arnold, the challenge now is to regain his starting role and prove his worth in a squad stacked with elite talent. Once fully fit, the expectation remains that he will play a central role in Madrid’s ambitions to win both La Liga and the Champions League this season. Nonetheless, Tuesday’s match at Anfield will still be an emotional milestone even if he starts on the bench. Whether greeted with applause or jeers, Alexander-Arnold’s return will serve as a poignant reminder of his legacy at Liverpool

شبت النيران في إحدى الحافلات التي تقل جماهير فريق برشلونة الإسباني، قبل المباراة أمام كلوب بروج البلجيكي في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويستعد برشلونة لمواجهة كلوب بروج مساء اليوم الأربعاء، ضمن مباريات مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا موسم 2025-2026.

اقرأ أيضًا | تشكيل برشلونة أمام كلوب بروج في دوري أبطال أوروبا.. موقف لامين يامال

ونشرت صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية مقطع فيديو أوضحت خلاله أن النيران اشتعلت بأحد الحافلات التي تقل جماهير برشلونة لملعب المباراة قبل مواجهة كلوب بروج.

ونشرت الصحيفة مقطع فيديو آخر بعد إخلاء الحافلة من المشجعين، ولم يُذكر وجود أي ضحايا للحادثة.

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📹@JaimeNil2 pic.twitter.com/zGeLYlRgnq — Diario SPORT (@sport) November 5, 2025

وخلال مقطع الفيديو المنشور، ظهر صوت جماهير برشلونة واضحًا وهو يسب فريق ريال مدريد بلفظ نابٍ.

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📹@JaimeNil2 pic.twitter.com/zGeLYlRgnq — Diario SPORT (@sport) November 5, 2025

وتنطلق مباراة برشلونة وكلوب بروج في تمام الساعة العاشرة مساءً بتوقيت مصر، الحادية عشر بتوقيت المملكة العربية السعودية، ضمن مباريات الجولة الرابعة لمرحلة الدوري.

وكان برشلونة قد حقق الفوز في مواجهتين بـ دوري أبطال أوروبا، وتعرض للهزيمة في مباراة واحدة، ويملك ست نقاط.