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Liverpool have had a near-perfect start to life under Arne Slot. Though there was plenty to like from the 5-1 victory over West Ham United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening, Wolverhampton Wanderers will present a different test.

Meeting the Old Gold at Molineux this evening, Liverpool could rise into first place in the Premier League with a win, though that hinges on Manchester City dropping points at St. James’ Park this afternoon.

Slot’s attack is firing on all cylinders. Liverpool have the sharpness up top to do great things this year, but Wolves are resilient and cohesive and will look to capitalise on a slow start through players like Matheus Cunha and Jørgen Strand Larsen.

Liverpool’s Attack (2024/25)

Player

Apps (starts)

Goals

Assists

Mohamed Salah

7 (6)

4

4

Luis Diaz

6 (5)

5

1

Diogo Jota

6 (5)

3

1

Cody Gakpo

7 (2)

2

1

Darwin Nunez

6 (2)

1

1

Federico Chiesa

3 (1)

0

1

All stats via Transfermarkt

Wolves are bottom of the pile, however, with one draw and four losses from five matches and the joint-worst defensive record in the division. Liverpool will be confident that they can get the job done.

Liverpool team news

Slot has confirmed that Alisson Becker “is ready to play” after the distinguished shot-stopped missed the past three matches in all competitions with a hamstring issue.

Harvey Elliott continues his rehabilitation from a fractured foot suffered on international duty with England U21s earlier this month, but Liverpool have a pretty clean bill of health.

Wolves have potentially lost centre-back Yerson Mosquera for the campaign after he tore his anterior cruciate ligament, whereas fellow defender Toti Gomes missed last week’s defeat against Aston Villa and faces a race to return to the line-up.

Darwin Nunez has scored and assisted across his past two games – the Uruguayan’s first starts of the season – but should be dropped for this one, here’s why.

Why Slot should drop Darwin Nunez

It’s been something of a rocky road for Nunez since moving to Liverpool in a deal rising to a club-record £85m fee in 2022. The 25-year-old striker is explosive and dynamic but also frustratingly wasteful in front of goal, scoring 21 Premier League goals in total but also missing 47 big chances.

Slot has tempered his wild side, to be sure, having narrowed the forward’s stylistic approach in scope. Fewer dribbles, less chaos, more work on positioning and spatial awareness, getting into promising positions and striking true.

Jurgen Klopp once called Nunez “unstoppable” when at his best, and though he hasn’t actually reached that level with the consistency desired, there have been promising signs across the past few matches. That said, while he placed an assist against West Ham, there was plenty to be desired from his performance.

Darwin Nunez: Stats vs West Ham

Stats

#

Minutes played

90′

Goals

0

Assists

1

Touches

27

Shots (on target)

0 (0)

Accurate passes

13/15 (87%)

Key passes

1

Dribbles (completed)

0 (0)

Tackles

4

Total duels (won)

12 (5)

Stats via Sofascore

This actually means that he took fewer touches than his goalkeeper, Caoimhin Kelleher (who took 32) despite playing the full 90 minutes. He might have made some good movements off the ball, worked hard in defence, but didn’t do enough with the opportunities presented to him.

90min felt that he hadn’t done quite enough, handing him only a 5/10 match rating and writing that he ‘struggled to get into the game’. It might be better to use him as a second-half option against Wolves, continuing the rotation that is enabled by such a vibrant and deep frontline.

Nunez also happens to be a brilliant option to unleash in the later phase of a match, which could be key against a Wolves side that has suffered from falling to late-stage strikes.

Wolves: Time of Goals Conceded 2024/25

Time

Goals Conceded

80 – 90+

5

70 – 79

3

60 – 69

1

45 – 59

2

30 – 45+

2

20 – 29

1

10 – 19

2

0 – 9

1

Stats via BBC Sport

As you can see, Wolves have suffered from shipping goals late, burning out. Liverpool, conversely, have let in a goal only once beyond the 70th minute across all competitions this season, so a fast start from the visitors will make a telling comment on which way the pendulum will swing.

Should Nunez be dropped, it’s imperative that Luis Diaz is unleashed in his stead, shifting onto the left flank, of course.

Luis Diaz could be the difference-maker

Diaz has been a revelation for the Reds this season. Refer to the first table from earlier, and you will see that he’s already scored five goals this season, with just five appearances in the Premier League too.

This is a remarkable start from a player who, talented, yes, wasn’t exactly the most prolific of players last season, bagging 13 goals and five assists from 53 games across all competitions for Liverpool.

He’s also highly technical, ranking among the top 5% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for pass completion and the top 10% for shot-creating actions per 90, as per FBref.

The Colombia star – whose international efforts of late, four goals and two assists in 2024, have added to the rise – is becoming a potent force for Liverpool, and though there’s a long road to travel before he proves that his level has transcended that of a ‘purple patch’.

Described as a “livewire” by journalist Peter Hall in the past, Diaz’s clinical shooting and effective playmaking and dribbling hints toward a new version of this maverick Redman. Against the Cherries, his two-goal display earned him a 9/10 match score from the Liverpool Echo’s Ian Doyle.

He was rested for the midweek fixture, whereas Nunez played the full contest, so it’s obvious that Slot wants to hand him a starting berth for the sixth successive time in the English top flight, but with Diogo Jota playing an hour against Bournemouth last weekend and the same again against the Irons, he will be rested and ready to take on Molineux.

That plays into the fact that Nunez will have a chance to shine later today, and who knows, given Wolves’ proneness to late concessions, he may still send the travelling Merseysiders into rapture.

Related Worth as much as Alisson: Liverpool star's value has risen 261% since exit

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Posts 1 ByAngus Sinclair Sep 27, 2024

Looking to round off their summer transfer window in style, Leicester City have reportedly opened talks with a Serie A attacker who was left out of his side's most recent matchday squad.

Leicester transfer news

It's been a mixed start to Leicester City's Premier League return, having stolen a point from Tottenham Hotspur on the opening day courtesy of Jamie Vardy, before suffering defeat on their travels against Fulham. Now, as they continue to adjust to life without Enzo Maresca and under Steve Cooper, the Foxes may land further reinforcements before the window slams shut this week.

In search of survival at the first time of asking, those at the King Power have been linked with moves for the likes of Bilal El Khannouss – even reportedly going as far as submitting a bid to sign the KRC Gent attacking midfielder. At 20 years old, there's no doubt that the Moroccan has plenty of potential, but when it comes to having an instant impact, the Foxes have reportedly turned towards a Serie A ace.

According to Gianluca Di Marzia, Leicester have opened talks with Jonathan Ikone over a potential late summer move away from Fiorentina, who left the winger out of their most recent matchday squad against Venezia amid the transfer speculation.

Now 26 years old, the 4-cap France international should be at the top of his game, even if he struggled to find his best form last season. Potentially starting afresh in the Premier League, Ikone would offer Cooper competition for Bobby De Cordova-Reid, who would find himself fighting for minutes just months after arriving at the King Power.

With Wolverhampton Wanderers reportedly leading the race for his signature, however, Leicester have plenty of work to do.

"Modern" Ikone can compete with De Cordova-Reid

In what would add crucial depth and instantly put two fresh faces in competition for a starting place, Ikone could arrive to complete Cooper's attack and insert the spark that it lacked against Fulham in his side's recent defeat. If he can get back to his best, the winger's arrival would go down as a stroke of genius from the Foxes, having racked up 157 Ligue 1 appearances to go with 79 in Serie A across spells at PSG, Lille and Fiorentina.

League stats 23/24 (via FBref)	Jonathan Ikone	Bobby De-Cordova Reid
Goals	3	6
Assists	1	2
Key Passes	15	17
Take-ons Completed	21	8

Ikone's output was an area of concern last season, but given that he managed six goals and eight assists in the campaign prior, there's certainly a player in there who is capable of producing when it matters. What's more, the 26-year-old's take-on success is something that stands out when compared to De Cordova-Reid. A more direct option, alongside the equally skilful Abdul Fatawu, could complete Leicester's attack once and for all.

Described as a "modern player" by former Fiorentina director Daniele Prade, Ikone has just four days to put a spell to forget in Italy behind him and move on to the Premier League.

Glasgow Rangers failed yet again to win an Old Firm derby under Philippe Clement. This was the fifth time the Belgian had led the Ibrox side into this fixture, coming out with just one draw for his troubles.

The stark reality is, Rangers' fierce rivals in Celtic were far too good. The Light Blues started brightly, yet once Daizen Maeda scored the opener, there was never going to be a way back into the tie for the Gers.

The international break perhaps comes at the right time for Clement, who will need to have a long think about what is continually going wrong in these matches.

Several of the players who shone vs Ross County last weekend were dismal when the pressure was on, particularly Rabbi Matondo.

Rabbi Matondo’s statistics vs Celtic

The Welsh winger shone against County, scoring twice while grabbing two assists, but playing Celtic at Parkhead is a completely different story indeed.

Matondo was unleashed on the left wing over the weekend, with Clement hoping he could replicate his feats from the previous match.

He only lasted 38 minutes, hobbling off holding his hamstring, but his time on the field lacked any meaningful impact.

The 23-year-old had one shot (off target), missed a big chance, failed with his only dribble attempt and took just nine touches overall.

This plus his injury combined to make it a horrible experience for the player. It remains to be seen how long he will be missing, but his spell at Ibrox has failed to yield any sort of consistency.

Goals

0

Assists

0

Accurate passes

4/5

Touches

9

Key passes

0

Possession lost

3

Aside from his excellent display against County, Matondo has been off the pace so far this season for the Ibrox side. Perhaps it is time for Clement to unleash Oscar Cortes when he is fit instead.

Rabbi Matondo’s statistics this season

His performance against the Highland side has certainly skewed his statistics, as across the other three Premiership matches, Matondo has been poor.

The winger has missed two big chances already this term, winning only 36% of his total duels per game along with being dribbled past on 0.8 occasions each match. His displays are a far cry from that wonderful goal he scored against Celtic last term. Why can't we see more of that?

Add in the fact he has lost possession 27 times after just four games, and it is clear that while Matondo’s pace might be a great asset, defensively, he is failing to contribute when required.

Cortes appears to be near a return to full fitness. Hopefully, by the time the Light Blues take on Dundee United in the league once the international break is over, the Colombian will be ready to be unleashed.

Although less experienced than Matondo, the 21-year-old has shown flashes of his abilities during his time in Glasgow. A run in the starting XI could allow him to build his confidence, establishing himself as the main option on the left flank.

It is all fine starring against the likes of Ross County, but when it comes to high-pressure games such as the Old Firm, Matondo has failed to showcase anything near his best form.

Fewer touches than Butland: Rangers must drop a star who lost 9/9 duels

The Light Blues attacker may have just played his way out of the starting line-up.

ByDan Emery Sep 2, 2024

Marc Cucurella stands accused of doing a “cracking Steven Gerrard impersonation” after enduring a slippery pitch nightmare for Chelsea at Tottenham.

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Ex-Liverpool famously slipped versus BluesSpanish defender lost his footing against SpursCriticised for having to change his bootsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Euro 2024-winning defender was handed a starting berth by Enzo Maresca for the Blues’ trip across London to face capital rivals Spurs. He contributed in the worst possible way to Chelsea falling two goals behind inside 11 minutes.

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His first moment to forget arrived in the fifth minute, as he lost his footing and allowed Brennan Johnson to scamper down the wing and cross for Dominic Solanke to break the deadlock. Six minutes later and Cucurella slipped again during the build-up to Dejan Kulusevski’s second for the hosts.

WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

Rival fans have taken great delight in trolling Cucurella, who endured similar issues to those which ex-Liverpool captain Gerrard suffered during a meeting with Chelsea in 2014. @CORF_FPL said on social media: “Cucurella with a cracking Steven Gerrard impersonation there..” @mejar412 went on to say: “Cucurella should definitely do a third slip. We want a hat-trick.” On a similar theme, @jacobs_ladder71 added: “I think Marc Cucurella would have been better off with a pair of Crocs.” Others to save the Spaniard include @Murdo1991 and @Ivan_510, who said the clumsy full-back was “having a complete mare” and putting in a “hall of shame performance”.

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GettyWHAT THE PUNDITS ARE SAYING

Cucurella changed his boots after seeing Chelsea breached for a second time, but Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher – on commentary duty for – was baffled as to why the mishaps were allowed to happen in the first place. He said: "Cucurella's coming to the bench, don't blame anyone else – it's your own fault son! Absolute schoolboy stuff. Embarrassing. He slips again. Look at him shrugging his shoulders. Did he not do a warm-up?"

Manchester United CEO Omar Berrada has set a target for new head coach Ruben Amorim after a disappointing end to the Erik ten Hag era.

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Amorim era is underway at Man UtdDrew 1-1 in his first match against IpswichClub CEO sets out targetsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

United have ushered in a new chapter with the appointment of Amorim as head coach, following the departure of Ten Hag. His tenure began with a 1-1 draw against Ipswich Town and will continue with his first home game at Old Trafford against Bodo/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.

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The Portuguese coach has inherited a squad struggling in the lower half of the Premier League table after a disappointing start to the season. Despite the uphill battle, United CEO Berrada has made it clear that the club’s ambitions remain firmly set on competing for the biggest trophies in both domestic and European competitions.

WHAT BERRADA SAID

Speaking during the release of the club’s latest financial results, Berrada outlined the high expectations for Amorim's tenure.

"The season is now well underway for both our men's and women's team, and we are keen to ensure both are as competitive as possible," Berrada said. "We are delighted to have appointed Ruben Amorim as head coach of our men's team and remain committed to returning Manchester United to the top of domestic and European football."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Amorim’s task will not be without constraints, with United set to operate on a lower budget as they look to become sustainable. Thus, there won't be a huge transfer kitty for the Portuguese to work with immediately.

Fast bowler says he would have got to 100 even if was playing all formats – but maybe not this quickly

Sidharth Monga22-Feb-20213:44

Ishant Sharma – There’s a lot of time to surpass Kapil Dev’s 131 career Tests

It is easy to forget that Ishant Sharma, who will play his 100th Test this Wednesday, is only 32 years old. He has seen a lot of ups and downs at such a young age. Most importantly, he has kept working on his skill and fitness to turn around a career that at one point looked like one of the luckier ones. From there to leading India’s attack to being one of the best Test bowlers in the world over the last four years is a testament to his commitment and stubbornness.Test cricket is Ishant’s world now, and the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) is his World Cup. When asked if he can see himself going past Kapil Dev’s mark of 131 Tests – the most for an India fast bowler – Ishant said he wasn’t looking beyond qualifying for the WTC final.Related

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Ishant Sharma – from unlucky workhorse to master quick

“There’s a lot of time to 131,” Ishant said. “Right now I am only thinking about how we can win the next Test. And then the next so that we can qualify for the final of World Test Championship. I have only [one] format [to play in], so the WTC is like a World Cup for me. If we reach the final and then go on to win it, it will be the same feeling as winning the ICC World Cup.”Ever since Ishant has stopped playing other formats for India though, he has been able to spend more time on his Test skills. One of the well-known improvements came about under Jason Gillespie at Sussex, where he learnt to bowl fuller without sacrificing on the pace, without floating the ball up there. Ishant acknowledged that missing other formats might have helped him, but he would have got to 100 Tests anyway.”Obviously I want to play white-ball cricket,” Ishant said. “A sportsman’s only job is to play. What will he do if he doesn’t play? But I don’t think too much about the formats I miss. I only think about the format I am playing. How can I perform better in the format I am playing? How can I make my team win? If you think positively about a situation, it is easier to stay grateful and perform for the team.”Maybe not playing three formats has helped me play 100 but I don’t think I wouldn’t have got there if I was playing other formats. I am only 32 after all, and not 42. Maybe I wouldn’t have got there this early, but I am sure the amount of time I have played and the way I stay fit and look after my conditioning, I would have played 100.”

“The sooner you forget things and move on in life, the better it is for you. This is the biggest lesson I have learned. If you are stuck on the past, you can’t move ahead.”ISHANT SHARMA

Over the years, Ishant has also understood his body better and has learnt to train smarter. “Thirty-eight is difficult to say as of now,” Ishant said when asked if he felt in his best shape and if he could continue playing as long as England’s James Anderson, another one-format bowler, has. “I just go one Test at a time. I don’t think too far because you never know. You just take it one game at a time. But, yes, I understand my body, what kind of training I need to do. Before also I used to train very hard but didn’t use to think about the recovery. But as you grow older and you have to bowl long spells, then you need to look after yourself. So, I am looking after myself.”You can look after yourself the best possible way but you still can’t control everything. In the winter before this one, Ishant was looking at playing his 100th Test in Australia, but first an injury cut short his tour of New Zealand and then another – combined with Covid-19 restrictions – resulted in his missing the Australia tour altogether.”I’d have loved to go to Australia and complete my 100 Tests there but there are things that are not in your control,” Ishant said. “Because of Covid restrictions, I couldn’t have made it in time. But the sooner you forget things and move on in life, the better it is for you. This is the biggest lesson I have learned. If you are stuck on the past, you can’t move ahead. The next match can also get affected by your past performance. I only keep trying to forget what has happened and focus on what lies ahead.”What lies ahead is also a slow handing of the baton over to Jasprit Bumrah, who Ishant feels, will be the next leader of the attack. “I learnt a lot from Zak [Zaheer Khan],” Ishant said. “Especially his work ethic. He always used to tell me how important fitness is for a fast bowler. That’s what I kept in mind. That’s what I tell everyone in the team: keep working hard on your fitness and I am sure you will play longer.”Jasprit Bumrah has to lead the way for the youngsters after me. The way he grooms the youngsters, the way he talks to them is important. [Navdeep] Saini has pace, [Mohammed] Siraj has control. Everyone’s skill is different. If you ask Saini to bowl in one area, you are not doing justice to his strength. If you ask Siraj to bowl consistently at 140, you are not backing his strength. So, it is important to understand their strengths first.”So, which captain understood Ishant’s strengths the best? Ask not what your captain can do for you, ask what you can do for your captain, Ishant said. “More than the captain understanding me, it is important for me to understand what the captain wants from me,” he said. “If the communication is clear, things get easy for the team. The more time you spend with a captain, the communication gets easier.”

علق هيثم فاروق لاعب الزمالك السابق، على أداء الفريق، خلال الشوط الأول أمام بلاك بولز الموزمبيقي، في المباراة الجارية بينهما، اليوم الأحد، في منافسات بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية.

ويتواجه الزمالك مع بلاك بولز، في إطار الجولة الخامسة من عمر مباريات دور المجموعات لبطولة الكونفدرالية، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي، انتهي الشوط الأول للمباراة بالتعادل السلبي.

وقال فاروق خلال تصريحات عبر قناة بي إن سبورت: “شوط أقل من المتوسط بالنسبة لـ الزمالك، الفريق يمتلك أفضل من ذلك بكثير”.

وأضاف: “الزمالك يتميز في بناء الهجمة عندما يكون عبد الله السعيد متأخر للوسط، لكن اليوم يلعب في رقم 10، وهذا لا يجعله ينطلق تجاه المرمى، أنا أتمنى إنه يتأخر للوراء حتى ينطلق بوجهه”.

طالع | مباشر بالفيديو.. مباراة الزمالك وبلاك بولز في الكونفدرالية

وأكمل: “عرضيات كثيرة لم يستفد منها الزمالك، رغم إن عبد الله السعيد وأحمد سيد زيزو يُنفذونها بشكل جيد، لكن الأطوال داخل المنطقة لا يستغلوها بسبب سوء الانتشار”.

وأتم: “حتى الآن الزمالك لم يُقنعني، أعتقد إن ناصر منسي سيكون له دور، لأن لديه ميزة بأنه يستطيع أن يهد دفاع الخصم”.

يتصدر فريق الزمالك ترتيب المجموعة الرابعة من بطولة كأس الكونفدرالية، برصيد 8 نقاط، بينما يأتي المصري في المركز الثاني 5 نقاط، في المركز الثالث بلاك بولز بـ 4 نقاط، يتذيل الترتيب إنيمبا بـ 4 نقاط.

علق حازم إمام، نجم الزمالك السابق، على احتفال إمام عاشور، لاعب الأهلي بالبالونة خلال مواجهة سموحة الأخيرة في الدوري المصري.

وقال حازم إمام، عبر قناة “أون تايم سبورتس 2”: “لا أريد الحديث في هذا الأمر لأنه موضوع مستفز، أكثر من سيخسر من هذا التصرف هو إمام، حتى لو كان سعيدًا حاليًا، لأنه يضع ضغطًا على نفسه وهذا ليس ذكيًا”.

طالع..بعد احتفاله على طريقة إمام عاشور.. القصة الكاملة لأزمة محمود مرجان لاعب الإنتاج الحربي

وتابع: “أنا أحب إمام جدًا وأتحدث معه كثيرًا وتحديدًا في المنتخب، هو لاعب جيد جدًا، لكنه يبحث عن الضغط ويضعه على نفسه، لا أعرف ما السبب في ذلك؟!”.

وواصل: “الزمالك كان أحد أسباب شهرة إمام وعطائه، ولم يفعل فيه شيئًا سيئًا على العكس، كل الخير والحب الجماهيري الذي يحظى به يعود الفضل فيه إلى الزمالك، إمام عاشور كان من الممكن أن يكون أذكى من ذلك ويجعل جمهور الزمالك يحبه وهو في الأهلي، لو لم يقم بتلك التصرفات”.

وأضاف: “إمام عاشور يحرج إدارة الأهلي، لأن الأخير لا يقبل هذه التصرفات”.

واستطرد: “كولر مدير فني جيد، فقد حقق كل شيء، من في العالم لا يخسر؟ بالطبع هناك بعض الأمور التي كان يستطيع أن يكون أفضل فيها، مثل رحيل أحمد عبد القادر، لأنه لم يكن يمتلك أجنحة كثيرة”.

واستمر: “كولر لديه مشكلة، أنه أحيانًا يقلب الأمور فجأة، فمثلاً بيرسي تاو يشارك ثم يظل لمدة 10 مباريات لا يشارك، ولا يوجد ثبات في قراراته، أنت كمدرب يجب أن تكون أكثر وضوحًا”.

وأتم: “لا يوجد أحد سيكون جيدًا باستمرار، فهناك منافسون دائمًا، كولر عنيد ولا يسمع لكلام الآخرين كثيرًا، ولكنه في المقابل يمتلك مميزات أفضل”.

Justin Langer has given the strongest indication yet that Joe Burns will retain his place at the top of Australia’s batting order for the first Test against India with the final decision being made after the first of the Australia A matches next month.Both Burns and Will Pucovski, who has made two double-hundreds in three Sheffield Shield innings this season compared to Burns’ 57 runs in five knocks, are in the Australia A squad to face the Indians at the Drummoyne Oval and then the SCG under lights.However, Langer said that the man chosen to partner David Warner in the day-night Test would mostly likely link up with the Test squad in Adelaide when they start their preparations, which will overlap with the second Australia A fixture – a floodlit match starting on December 11.Though Burns has struggled at the start of the season for Queensland, Langer referenced the strong pairing he has with Warner – which averages over 50 for the first wicket – and the fact it was part of Australia’s clean sweep of the 2019-20 season against New Zealand and Pakistan when they went to No. 1 in the world, although the pressure from Pucovski is significant.”[Will’s] been amazing hasn’t he, and it’s exactly what we are looking for, I’ve said it for a very long time that we want guys who are outside of the team to bang so hard you can’t ignore them,” Langer said. “The fact is he’s been so good we can’t ignore him, he’s been brilliant.”That said I’ve also been consistent with the messaging that last summer we loved the combination of Joe Burns and David Warner, they have a real synergy, so at this point I’d say that will remain the same. But what Will’s doing, what Cameron Green has done, is making a real statement through sheer weight of runs and that’s always been a strong foundation for the strength of Australian cricket.”Will Pucovski pulls through square leg•Getty Images

Burns and Pucovski will likely open together in a three-day game starting on December 6, but Langer was reluctant to term it a showdown. “I wouldn’t say it’s a bat-off. Joe Burns has done really well for us. Will Pucovski, we are really looking forward to seeing how he steps up to Australia A. It will be great to see him play against India, a new step up for him, so it’s an exciting time. Competition is healthy.”When guys have done a really good job for us – like in this case that Joe and Davey did for us last summer – there’s a reason we’re ranked the No.1 Team in Test cricket. Those sorts of partnerships are really important, so we should never underestimate that.”Will Pucovski is doing everything humanly possible to play the first Test. But that’s what we have to weigh up. We should never underestimate the job the guys have done to get us to where we are. We went through a period when there were lots of ins and outs, and in my view we should back the guys in there. That can change, but it’s a pretty strong philosophy to stick to.”The decision between Burns and Pucovski is the only major debate for the selectors among the final XI for the start of the series. The much-talked-about allrounder Green is in the squad – with Langer saying his batting alone puts him in contention – and he has recently resumed bowling for Western Australia, but the theme of caution continued to be urged.”We know he’s got enormous talent, but he’s had two stress fractures,” Langer said. “The way we manage Cameron Green, as Western Australia are at the moment, will be a combined effort. We have to show the due respect that’s required and we have to patient. We’ve learned that over and over again.Langer added that up to 15 of the Test squad will probably come together in Adelaide for their preparations ahead of the first Test with potentially two batsmen remaining with the A squad for the pink-ball warm-up. All the bowlers, including Mitchell Swepson, will be in the Test camp which means he along with Michael Neser, Sean Abbott and James Pattinson would not play the second Australia A game at the SCG.Although the squads for this series will continue to operate with various biosecure protocols, the easing of some state borders has allowed a little more flexibility in where players can be.

MatériaMais Notícias

O reencontro de Renato Gaúcho com o Grêmio, em plena Arena do Tricolor, foi marcado por um roteiro inusitado e felicidade em dosequádrupla para o Flamengo, que venceu por 4 a 0, com gols de jogadores contestados (Bruno Viana, Michael, Rodinei e Vitinho), e tendo boa parte do duelo um jogador a menos. Após a vitória pela ida das quartas da Copa do Brasil, o treinador enalteceu a “aula” aplicada no segundo tempo, quando saíram todos os tentos.

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– O mais importante é que, apesar de estar com um a menos, o Flamengo deu uma aula de futebol no segundo tempo. Foi agressivo. Conseguimos criar as chances e fazer quatro gols. Nos dá uma bela vantagem para jogar no Maracanã, mas não estamos classificados ainda. Demos um passo importante, é um resultado importante – falou o comandante rubro-negro.

+ATUAÇÕES: Everton Ribeiro, Vitinho e Michael comandam goleada louca

Ao ser questionado sobre o duelo contra o Grêmio, seu ex-clube, Renato falou em tom profissional.

-Sentimento bem diferente. Fiquei quase cinco anos na última passagem. Todos sabem o carinho que tenho pela torcida, mas disse que sou um profissional e ia tentar um bom resultado. Conseguimos. Concordo que não estivemos tão bem no primeiro tempo, até porque o Grêmio estava bem. Perdemos o Isla. O jogo ficou muito perigoso. O que foi corrigido são coisas minhas e do grupo. Adversários vão ouvir. O mais importante foi a conversa, mas isso fica no vestiário – comentou.

+ Veja o chaveamento da Copa do Brasil

Inegavelmente, apesar da cautela de Portaluppi, o Flamengo encaminhou uma vaga para as semifinais da Copa do Brasil. O jogo da volta das quartas será realizado no dia 15 de setembro, no Maracanã.

Já a próxima partida do Rubro-Negro será pelo Brasileiro, diante do Santos, neste sábado, às 19h, na Vila Belmiro e pela 18ª rodada (confira a tabela aqui).

Confira outros trechos da coletiva:

Resposta do Flamengo após o intervalo

– Eu sei da minha capacidade, sei da capacidade do grupo do Flamengo. Trabalhamos no dia a dia para conquistarmos vitórias, passarmos de fases. Estamos competindo em três competições difíceis, jogando a cada três dias e viajando bastante. Hoje mesmo com 10 homens a equipe deu uma resposta muito positiva. Importante a vitória porque vai fortalecer mais o grupo. Enfrentamos uma grande equipe, que é o Grêmio.

Nosso objetivo é conquistar. E para conquistar precisamos das vitórias. A cada três dias estamos em campo, a cada três dias sempre uma decisão pro grupo do Flamengo. A equipe vem se comportando muito bem. Não porque foi uma goleada, mas estou muito satisfeito com o que eles estão fazendo nos treinamentos e nos jogos.

É lógico que em um jogo ou outro vamos vacilar um pouquinho, como vacilamos no início do jogo hoje. O mais importante que voltamos pro segundo tempo totalmente diferentes, conseguimos um placar totalmente ao nosso favor e demos uma grande passo para estarmos na semifinal da Copa do Brasil também.

Contestados em alta

– Eu nunca duvidei da capacidade deles. Bem pelo contrário. No primeiro dia que tive a conversa com o grupo falei que não queria saber, não quis saber o que estava acontecendo antes da minha chegada, se é que estava acontecendo alguma coisa. O importante é daqui para frente. É um comandante diferente, novo e vamos trabalhar.

Procurei trabalhar com o grupo, apesar do pouco tempo, procurei corrigir bastante coisa no vídeo. E eu sei da capacidade do grupo. Tanto é que eles vêm demonstrando a cada partida. Bastante feliz com eles, como você falou, alguns jogadores estavam sendo contestados. Eu acho que acima de tudo é conversar com o jogador, entender o problema dele, dar moral, dar confiança.

Não só na teoria, mas corrigir, na prática, dentro do campo. Porque eu sempre falo. Se estão nesse grupo, não caíram de paraquedas. Vieram porque são campeões de seus clubes. Demonstraram qualidade e estão aqui. No futebol ninguém desaprende.