Uma das boas opções de ataque do Nova Iguaçu no Campeonato Carioca, o lateral-direito Léo Fernandes vem se destacando também no aspecto defensivo. Nas oito partidas em que atuou, o atleta de 26 anos obteve 39 desarmes, uma média de quase cinco por jogo. O defensor fala sobre a importância de sua evolução.
– Sempre me destaquei mais ofensivamente, mas passei a aprimorar as minhas características como homem de defesa. Meu objetivo é ser cada vez mais versátil, até porque minha posição exige isso. Creio que nesse Carioca estou conseguindo por em prática o que venho treinando há algum tempo – afirmou.
Léo jogou os 90 minutos de todas as partidas que disputou na competição estadual. Líder do grupo, é peça importante dentro e fora de campo na equipe. Ele e seus companheiros só voltarão a campo pelo Carioca dia 25, quando receberão o Resende. Léo ainda acredita nas chances do time da Baixada se classificar ao menos para a Taça Rio.
– Disputaremos nove pontos e não jogaremos mais contra os “grandes”. É o momento de tentarmos engatar uma boa sequência e terminarmos bem a primeira fase – encerrou.
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Italian refereeing chief Gianluca Rocchi confirmed that Serie A will now explain VAR decisions in the stadium in real time, akin to the Club World Cup
Serie A set to undergo historic change
Referees to explain VAR decisions in real time
Changes were implemented at Club World Cup
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WHAT HAPPENED?
As anticipated following IFAB’s approval, the major change this season will be the on-field announcement of VAR decisions. This development was confirmed during the league’s season presentation conference earlier this week, where Serie A and B referee chief Gianluca Rocchi and Italian Referees Association (AIA) president Antonio Zappi addressed the update.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The new system was previously tested during last season’s Coppa Italia semi-finals and final, though no VAR interventions occurred that required its use. It was also implemented during the Club World Cup this summer. Now, the on-field announcement of VAR decisions will become a regular feature in Serie A for the 2025–26 season. Italy, though, won't be the first country from the top five European nations to implement on-field VAR announcements. In January, during a Carabao Cup clash between Tottenham and Liverpool, referee Stuart Atwell became the first referee in England to explain VAR decisions using stadium announcement.
WHAT GIANLUCA ROCCHI SAID
Speaking at the league presentation conference, Rocchi explained: "The referee will be able to explain the decision made following a VAR intervention directly in the stadium and on TV. This is an important step forward in communication, which we have been working with transparency for years. Now, however, the explanations will be in real time, in front of everyone.
"We will have to be very good at communicating; we will look for uniform words and formulas, but it is clear that there may be slight differences depending on the different referees and different personalities. We will prepare thoroughly, especially from a communication standpoint. We have a select group and we want to standardize the language and content to be clear with the public. There is no maximum time for on-field announcements, because each referee has his own style, language, and reaction times. We still have to work to standardize the content of the explanations, but we will not set rigid limits: the quality of communication will count above all.
"The best referees are those who make decisions on the pitch, regardless of VAR. We will reward those who have the courage and clarity to take responsibility without leaving everything to technology. Technology must be used well and at the right time, but it must not relieve match officials of their responsibility. We will continue to emphasize this aspect, especially with the younger ones."
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WHAT NEXT?
These changes can be seen in action as early as August 23, when the 2025-26 season of Serie A kicks off.
India’s left-arm wristspinner Kuldeep Yadav has said he enjoyed his first taste of England’s Bazball approach in Visakhapatnam because it not only created more wicket-taking opportunities but also made bowlers think about restricting batters in Test cricket.”Usually in Tests you’re not used to teams attacking you with this kind of approach [Bazball], but it also involves you a lot more,” Kuldeep said ahead of the third Test against England starting on February 15 in Rajkot. “As a spinner it makes you more focused on how you want to bowl and what your approach is.”Normally when you play Tests, you don’t worry about batters attacking you, you’re only focused on how you want to get them out. But here the approach is different, they’re in attacking mode so you also have to plan how to restrict them. When they play shots, you have those many opportunities to take wickets. It’s interesting. The last game was my first [against Bazball], I enjoyed it a lot, it’s good for cricket.”Related
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The Visakhapatnam Test was only Kuldeep’s ninth Test since he made his debut in March 2017. It was his first in over 15 months. Kuldeep picked up three of his four wickets in the first innings as India took a 143-run lead that helped them level the five-Test series 1-1.”It’s been good,” Kuldeep said with a smile when asked about finally getting a chance in Test cricket. “Whatever Tests I’ve played, I’ve performed well. I have three five-fors, so yeah it feels good when you see the stats. I’m very happy.”The pitches for the first two Tests of this series have not been rank turners and, if that trend continues in Rajkot, Kuldeep could keep his place in the XI even if Ravindra Jadeja returns. Kuldeep’s accuracy and extra bounce made him more effective than Axar Patel in Visakhapatnam.”Am not sure of my position,” he said when asked about his chances of playing in Rajkot. “If I get the opportunity, I’ll be more than happy. I don’t think too much about whether am playing or not. I just enjoy my day and keep working hard. Combination is such a thing that it matters in a team game. As simple as that.”Kuldeep needed no reminders of his previous Test in Rajkot, where he took a five-for against West Indies in 2018.”It’ll be a batting wicket,” he said when asked about the pitch for the upcoming Test against England. ‘It doesn’t mean there’ll be 700-800 runs scored. It’ll be a good wicket. It won’t be a rank turner, it will be a live wicket, good for cricket.”Why has there been a sudden shift in the nature of pitches for this series?”I haven’t played on rank turners, I don’t know what the approach or thought is, it’s a team management decision,” Kuldeep said. “Obviously everyone wants to watch good cricket. I don’t know if I’ll get an opportunity or not, but whether it’s flat wicket or rank turner, I enjoy it. I think batting is also important, not just spin bowling. Fast bowling comes into the game as well. It’s good for cricket. It’s not like you’ll see rank turners only, but hopefully you’ll see it [laughs].”
Left-arm quick joins on three-year deal after leaving boyhood club
ESPNcricinfo staff02-Nov-2023
George Garton at an England training session•Gareth Copley/Getty Images
George Garton has joined Warwickshire on a three-year deal after parting company with his boyhood club, Sussex.Garton, 26, will link up with the Warwickshire squad in November for pre-season testing, ahead of a stint at the Abu Dhabi T10s alongside his new club team-mate Moeen Ali.As a left-arm quick, Garton made his England debut on the T20I tour of the Caribbean in January 2022, but has yet to add to his solitary cap. His development, however, was hampered in June 2021, when – as part of England’s ODI squad to face Pakistan – he contracted long Covid, a condition that left him fatigued for more than a year.He has, however, been on the selectors’ radar for several years, and in 2017-18, aged 20, he was drafted into England’s Ashes squad as emergency cover. Previously, he had represented England at Under-19 level, claiming 72 wickets from 81 games overall including appearances at the 2016 World Cup.”I am delighted to be joining the Bears and I have the utmost respect for the club and its history,” Garton said. “The club has a tremendous record of winning trophies and I hope to contribute to winning more of them.”There is a strong playing squad and respected group of coaches at Edgbaston and I am particularly keen to work with Mark Robinson having known him for a long time.”I feel my best years as a player are ahead of me and I retain huge ambitions in the game. I can’t wait to get started ahead of the 2024 season.”Garton has joined Warwickshire with the option of playing first-class cricket, a format in which he has claimed 55 wickets in 26 appearances to date, including a dismissal with his first ball against Leeds/Bradford MCCU at Hove.However, it is his white-ball expertise that will be of greatest value to the club, given his extensive from stints in the IPL, Big Bash, SA20, and Abu Dhabi T10, alongside his domestic opportunities with Sussex and Southern Brave in the Hundred.Mark Robinson, Warwickshire’s first-team coach, was still in charge at Sussex when Garton first signed for the club in 2015.”When someone asks you would you be interested in signing a bowler who can bowl 85mph-plus, is one of the best fielders in the country and is a destructive batter, the answer wasn’t hard to give,” Robinson said.”I knew George as a young player working his way through the youth squads and he was always known as a player of huge potential.”As a left armer, he will give us variety in our attack, becoming another player who can change a game at any moment with either bat, ball or in the field.”George is very driven, hugely competitive and comes to us at the right time in a mental place determined to get back into the England team.”At the moment George wants to focus on white-ball cricket, but the door will always be open for him to return to the red ball format.”
Since Enzo Maresca took over at Chelsea last summer, one of the main talking points has been around how he uses his fullbacks and whether it gets the best out of Reece James, Malo Gusto and Marc Cucurella.
We have seen a few different usages of players in these areas, often inverting into midfield alongside Moises Caicedo, pushing higher into the pockets, overlapping to provide width and tucking inside as a third central defender.
Versatility is key for Maresca in these zones, allowing him to change shape based on the opposition game plan, without having to tinker too much with his overall playing personnel.
Therefore, it is important Chelsea recruit smartly in these areas, giving them versatile options that can fulfill as many of those roles for Maresca as possible, and it seems Chelsea could want to continue adding to their squad in that fashion.
Chelsea's hunt for a new defender
According to Sport, as relayed by GOAL, Chelsea have revived their interest in Barcelona defender, Jules Koundé, after previously attempting to secure his services back in 2022, before he made the move from Sevilla to Barcelona.
The 26-year-old has made 132 appearances since joining the club, scoring six goals, providing 18 assists, and totaling 11,186 minutes played. In this time, Kounde has won one La Liga title (2022/23) and two Spanish Super Cups (2022/23 & 2024/25).
FC Barcelona's JulesKoundein action
The versatility is a huge factor as to why Chelsea want to bring the Frenchman to the club, having the ability to play as both a right-back and central defender.
It reveals that Chelsea are ‘expected’ to submit a substantial offer in the coming weeks, but his future may hinge on contract negotiations, as they want to make a big ‘push’ to land the defender in the summer transfer window.
Kounde vs James & Gusto comparison
Reece James and Malo Gusto have been the right-back choices for Maresca at Chelsea this season, the club captain showing his quality to execute all the Italian’s needs, inverting into midfield, tucking in as a third central defender and attacking the box when needed.
Meanwhile, Gusto has shown great desire to do so, but it hasn’t quite clicked this season for him, being just 21 years old, learning a new role, and experiencing some tough stretches of form. Kounde – described as “one of the best defenders in the world” by his former coach Xavi – would offer a good alternative for both right-back options, whilst also providing centre-back cover.
Goals + Assists
0.23
0.33
0.10
Progressive Carries
1.64
0.66
2.27
Progressive Passes
4.91
5.53
5.35
Pass Completion %
86.5%
85.2%
86.6%
Key Passes
1.06
0.92
0.81
Shot-Creating Actions
1.84
1.45
2.56
Tackles
1.90
0.92
2.33
Blocks
1.32
1.32
1.51
Interceptions
0.71
0.98
0.97
Aerial Duels Won
0.98
2.50
0.41
Whilst the underlying metrics show Kounde’s performance to be worse than both James and Gusto in most areas, his overall completeness is an ability in itself. He has much-needed experience (something Chelsea currently lack) and the versatility to plug holes and fix problems.
Gusto clearly outperforms Kounde in plenty of the metrics analysed above, but has struggled at times to adjust to Maresca’s style of play, sometimes looking to force passes and speed things up when it isn’t necessary. Kounde’s extra experience would be a better current fit for Maresca’s Chelsea side, allowing Gusto to continue to develop with less pressure on his shoulders.
Kounde is much closer to James in profile, having the physical capacity to play as a central defender, which allows Maresca to invert Cucurella from the other side at times, allowing for tactical flexibility in the side.
He also possesses very good 1v1 defensive traits and the ability to provide late overlapping runs when pinning teams inside their own half, making him a seamless backup for James in the right-back position.
Barcelona manager, Hansi Flick, has been amazed by Kounde this season, labeling him as “unbelievable” and stating “I’ve never had a player like this.” The German coach praised the Frenchman for his physical condition and attitude, giving his all in every training session and game.
With how Maresca wants to play, an addition like Kounde could be very helpful, covering for Wesley Fofana as a central defender who himself has had some big injury troubles over the last few seasons, whilst also offering right-back cover for the likes of James and Gusto, giving Maresca options on the right side of defence, depending on his game plan and preferred tactical set-up.
تعرض نادي ريال مدريد لضربة موجعة جديدة، بعد خروجه من منافسات كأس العالم للأندية على يد باريس سان جيرمان عقب الهزيمة برباعية نظيفة.
وكان ترينت ألكسندر أرنولد قد غاب عن مباراة ريال مدريد ضد باريس سان جيرمان بعد إصابة تعرض لها في التدريبات بالقدم اليمنى.
أقرأ أيضاً.. مودريتش: لم أر رئيس ريال مدريد يبكي من قبل.. ويكشف عن لحظة لا ينساها في مسيرته
وانضم إندريك مهاجم ريال مدريد الشاب إلى ترينت أرنولد بعد معاناته من انتكاسة في إصابته العضلية التي تعرض لها نهاية مايو.
ووفقاً لصحيفة “ذا أتلتيك ” فإنه من المتوقع أن يغيب البرازيلي الشاب عن الملاعب لعدة أسابيع، وقد كانت الشكوك تحيط بمستقبل اللاعب وإمكانية مغادرته بعد كأس العالم للأندية.
وكان البرازيلي إندريك صاحب الـ18 عاماً قد أصيب في عضلة الفخد الخلفية اليمنى في المباراة الأخيرة بالليجا الموسم الماضي والتي انتهت بالفوز ضد إشبيلية بهدفين نظيفين مما أبعده عن المشاركة في كأس العالم للأندية في الولايات المتحدة.
وتدرب البرازيلي إندريك على التعافي في إسبانيا سواء في منزله أو مقر تدريبات ريال مدريد بمساعدة طاقمه الفني وإشراف المتخصصين في النادي.
وقد سافر إندريك في 28 يونيو إلى ميامي لإكمال فترة تعافيه وكان قريباً من تشابي ألونسو مدرب ريال مدريد وزملائه ولكن بقى القرار باستبعاده من قائمة فريقه في كأس العالم للأندية.
وفي الوقت الذي كان فيه إندريك يقترب من العودة بشكل كامل بعد مشاركته في جزء من التدريبات يوم الإثنين وكان في المراحل الأخيرة من تعافيه لكنه تعرض لانتكاسة جديدة قد تقربه بشكل أكبر من الرحيل والخروج من ريال مدريد.
T20 talent developing longer-format skills as South Africa A score success in Sri Lanka
Firdose Moonda09-Jun-2023
Tristan Stubbs acknowledges his fifty•Cricket South Africa
Learning to construct a 50-over innings was Tristan Stubbs’ chief takeaway from South Africa A’s series victory over Sri Lanka A, which was completed with a five-wicket win in Kandy. Stubbs was South Africa A’s highest run-scorer, and the only one to record two half-centuries, and hopes the experience will put him in good stead to add to his one ODI cap.”It’s closer to first-class cricket where you’ve got to bat time,” Stubbs told ESPNcricinfo shortly after scoring a match-winning 58 not out. “I haven’t played a lot of 50-over cricket but in this format, you absorb pressure and then apply pressure. T20 cricket you have to make a play almost every ball but in 50-over cricket and first-class cricket you can just bat time and that’s what I have really enjoyed doing.”Since starting his career three years ago, Stubbs has played 55 T20s, more than double his 21 List A matches, to go with 10 first-class games. His reputation as a big-hitter has seen him picked for the Manchester Originals in the Hundred, and Mumbai Indians at the IPL, although he has only played four matches, two in each of the last two seasons. He went straight from the IPL to Sri Lanka, keen to get game time after last turning out more than a month ago, on May 6.”It [the IPL] was an awesome tournament to be a part of, whether you are playing or not. And Mumbai made the semi-finals so I got to experience a semi-final with 100,000 people which was pretty cool,” he said. “But I hadn’t played in a couple of months so getting some game time now is good. It’s been cool to spend some time in the middle and bat again.”Especially in unfamiliar conditions. This was Stubbs’ first visit to Sri Lanka and though he has been to India three times, he found that the surfaces were different and asked more questions of his game. “It doesn’t bounce as much [as home] and the ball turns a bit more but the conditions have changed between each game,” he said. “The pitch we played on today got more and more dry and it was turning a lot more. But in the second game the ball was seaming around a lot. It’s a nice challenge.”In both matches, Stubbs scored half-centuries, first taking South Africa A from 20 for 4 to 153 for 8, albeit in a losing cause, and then ensuring they recovered from 27 for 2 in the fifth over to successfully chase 173. In both cases, Stubbs saw an opportunity to work on pacing his innings and getting the balance between attack and defence right. “We were in trouble early on. In the second game, it tested my defence of seam and today it was spinning,” he said. “And you learn it’s all right to block a good ball in the longer game. It’s not ideal, but sometimes it’s required.”With his development of a more all-round game in subcontinental batting conditions, does Stubbs hope he is making a case for consideration for this year’s World Cup? “I am trying not to think about it,” he said. “I am just trying to take every game as it comes and just enjoy playing. Today, I could help the team get over the line. We have a pretty strong side so that always helps.”South Africa A will now play unofficial Tests under the tutelage of national Test coach Shukri Conrad to complete their winter program.
Manchester City star Ruben Dias and Maya Jama have been enjoying time together on holiday after the end of the Premier League season.
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Jama finally shares post with Dias
Couple enjoying sunny yacht trip
Taking in holiday after end of season
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WHAT HAPPENED?
The couple have been dating for a little while but have finally confirmed their relationship with a new post on Instagram. The Love Island host shared a video of the pair enjoying the sunshine while on a yacht. Jama even jokingly titled the video "perv cam" as she focused on a shirtless Dias applying sun lotion while dressed only in a pair of swimming shorts.
Maya Jama Instagram
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WHAT DIAS SAID
Dias has also shared a picture of Jama on his Instagram page. The Manchester City star posted a series of photographs following the end of the Premier League campaign. He wrote: "Intense end of season but much respect for the way everyone kept on fighting until the last whistle to get us on that champions league spot. Time to rest before national team now and soon we go again hungrier than ever."
Getty/GOAL
THE GOSSIP
The couple have previously been spotting kissing and cuddling at a Baller League match, while Jama was seen cheering on Dias for Manchester City against Nottingham Forest at Wembley in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. The duo have also shown off footage recently of being chased by paparazzi, with their romance attracting plenty of headlines.
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WHAT NEXT
Dias can enjoy a short sunshine break before he returns to action in the Nations League Final Four with Portugal. Jama is set for Love Island hosting duties when the latest series kicks off in June.
Celtic stand a real chance of completing a domestic clean sweep this season and their strides in Europe under Brendan Rodgers could embolden the Hoops to speculate to accumulate in the upcoming window.
What are Celtic's main transfer priorities this summer?
Brendan Rodgers can do little wrong in the Parkhead dugout at the moment as his side stand three matches away from claiming a fourth successive Scottish Premiership title, which will be theirs if they defeat Hearts, Rangers and St Johnstone in the coming weeks.
This weekend, Celtic change tact to focus on advancing through their Scottish Cup quarter-final against Hibernian, with Sunday’s encounter offering up the opportunity of a place in the last four of the competition.
Brendan Rodgers, Arne Engels
Adding in their run to the Champions League knockout playoff phase, the Bhoys are clearly on an upward trajectory under the Irishman’s stewardship. On the transfer front, Kieran Tierney’s impending arrival on a free transfer from Arsenal synchronises with that train of thought.
Elsewhere, Greg Taylor’s deal being set to expire begs the questions over who could accompany the pre-contract signing to fight it out at left-back. Should the latter decide to move on, Hoops loanee Jeffrey Schlupp has been tipped to join permanently by Michael Stewart following his impressive performances since arriving from Crystal Palace.
Further up the pitch, Daizen Maeda’s 26-goal return isn’t likely to deter Celtic from pursuing a new striker. Kyogo Furuhashi left for Rennes in January, opening up a slot across the forward line to introduce further competition.
Celtic’s top five scorers in 2024/25 – all competitions
Daizen Maeda
26
Nicolas Kuhn
18
Adam Idah
13
Arne Engels
10
Callum McGregor
9
Intriguingly, the reigning Scottish Premiership champions are now plotting an exciting move to strengthen the engine room once the summer transfer window opens.
Celtic 'very' keen on deal to sign Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller
According to Football Insider, Celtic are ‘very much interested’ in securing Motherwell midfielder Lennon Miller’s signature and could return to the table after they decided against pursuing the Scotland Under-21 international during the January window.
The outlet claim his current employers want to receive a sizeable fee for the 18-year-old and the Steelmen internally believe he could be worth in the region of £10 million at this moment in time.
Rodgers can totally forget Jota by unleashing Celtic star who's "on fire"
Ahead of Sunday’s Scottish Cup tie against Hibernian, Brendan Rodgers should unleash Celtic’s “on fire” winger who’s outperforming Jota.
1 ByBen Gray Mar 7, 2025
Widely regarded as one of the best rising stars in his homeland, Chris Sutton has previously talked up his “impressive” performances against the Hoops and believed his eventual next step should be to join up at Parkhead.
This campaign, Miller has scored four times and laid on six assists in 30 appearances across all competitions. Financially, Rodgers is expected to receive the backing necesarry to pull off a deal after Celtic earned £38 million in Champions League prize money over the course of their time in the competition, much of which is set to be allocated to his transfer kitty.
Lyon, Udinese and Union Saint-Gilloise have also been credited with an interest in the Wishaw-born midfielder, who has fashioned 42 chances on Scottish Premiership duty this term, along with interest from several top clubs in England.
With suitors for Miller likely to grow rapidly between now and the summer, Celtic will hope to convince Miller to continue his development on Scottish shores rather taking on his next challenge abroad.
NSW declared 117 behind in pursuit of victory, but could go winless through first four rounds first time since 2011-12
AAP14-Nov-2022
Tim Ward ended unbeaten on 90 from only 71 balls•Getty Images
New South Wales (NSW) are on the verge of their worst start to a Sheffield Shield season in 11 years after Riley Meredith’s wickets and an all-out assault from Tim Ward put Tasmania in control in Hobart.Tasmania went to stumps on day three at 2 for 176 from 24 overs in their second innings, and with a lead of 293, with Ward leading the charge with an unbeaten 90 from 71 balls.It came after NSW declared 117 runs behind on their first innings in a desperate pursuit of victory that is now looking nigh impossible. It means that NSW will need a miracle on Tuesday to avoid going winless through their first four rounds of a season for the first time since 2011-12.On a dominant day for Tasmania, Meredith claimed four wickets in his first four overs of the day to leave Blues reeling at 5 for 74 in reply to Tasmania’s first-innings 333.The paceman had Kurtis Patterson, Moises Henriques and Matthew Gilkes all out edging before lunch, while Blake Nikitaras found fine leg while trying to hook. Meredith was unlucky not to claim five, when a ball bounced off Baxter Holt’s body and hit the stumps but the bails remained in place just before tea.Jason Sangha and Sean Abbott offered the only real fightback for Blues, both scoring 53 as they put on an 86-run partnership for the sixth wicket. But when they both fell, NSW made the call to forego a shot at any meaningful first-innings bonus points and chase the six points on offer for an unlikely win by declaring after tea. It did not pay off.Tasmania’s opener Ward crunched a 32-ball half-century, regularly cutting and cover-driving NSW’s quicks to the off-side boundary. The left-hander hit five fours through the off side in one Ben Dwarshuis over, while 15 came in another off Abbott as part of an opening stand of 84 from 57 balls with Caleb Jewell.Jewell also hit 34 off 25, and when he was bowled by Sangha, Matthew Wade took over with 41 off 34. It helped Tasmania set up for a possible early declaration with a big lead on Tuesday, with a real chance of their second win of the season.