Expert Sports News & Commentary

Real Madrid have formally entered the fray over the alleged racist abuse aimed at Vinicius Junior during Tuesday night’s Champions League victory against Benfica, confirming that the club has supplied UEFA with all available evidence and will continue to cooperate fully with the governing body’s investigation. The flash-point occurred inside the Estádio da Luz when the forward informed referee Clément Turpin that Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni had called him a monkey. The match official immediately invoked UEFA’s anti-racism protocol, and European football’s disciplinary arm opened proceedings the next morning. If the 19-year-old Portuguese youth international is found guilty, he faces a mandatory suspension of at least ten matches under article 14 of UEFA’s disciplinary regulations; Prestianni and Benfica have both protested his innocence. In a statement released on Thursday, the Spanish giants said: “Real Madrid C. F. announces that today it has submitted all available evidence to UEFA regarding the incidents that occurred last Tuesday, February 17, during the Champions League match our team played in Lisbon against SL Benfica. Our club has actively collaborated with the investigation opened by UEFA following the unacceptable episodes of racism experienced during that match. Real Madrid appreciates the unanimous support, backing, and affection that our player Vinicius Jr. has received from all areas of the global football community. Real Madrid will continue working, in collaboration with all institutions, to eradicate racism, violence, and hate in sports and society.” Manager Álvaro Arbeloa backed his player unequivocally after the final whistle, saying the squad would have followed Vinicius off the pitch had he chosen to walk. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Aurélien Tchouaméni voiced similar solidarity, while Kylian Mbappé went further, claiming he heard the slur himself and demanding that Prestianni be excluded from the remainder of the competition. UEFA’s investigation is ongoing, with no timetable yet set for a disciplinary verdict.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta has launched an extraordinary attack on Spanish match officials, claiming “certain referees” repeatedly target the club with decisions that “screw us over” and insisting the pattern of calls against his team is “blatant.” Speaking after back-to-back defeats in which VAR interventions and last-gasp goals proved pivotal, Laporta told reporters the officiating is part of a wider campaign to undermine the Catalans’ resurgence under coach Hansi Flick. An eight-minute VAR stoppage preceded the loss to Atlético Madrid, while Girona’s late winner stood despite what Laporta described as a clear foul on defender Jules Koundé. “There are certain referees who, when they officiate our games, screw us over. Excuse my language, but it’s true,” Laporta said. “It’s a recurring issue, a constant problem. It’s a reality. I could name them all.” The Barça chief, who is actively campaigning for re-election next month, argued that identical situations are judged differently when his club is involved. “This hasn’t happened just once, but many times. In identical plays, they’ve been able to call the wrong thing to harm Barça. It’s blatant.” Laporta framed the perceived bias as an institutional struggle, asserting that rivals cannot halt Barcelona’s progress on the pitch and therefore resort to other means. “We are defending Barça against everything and everyone. Against people who simply can’t accept who we are and what we represent. They can’t stand what we are achieving with our team.” He also took aim at Real Madrid, suggesting the capital club benefits from preferential treatment. “When we’re down, they try to take advantage and crush us. And when others are down, they help them. They’ve learned to swim and they dive in like a pro. We know we have to fight against all that too.” Despite the controversy, Laporta urged the squad to channel its frustration into improved performances. “The best way to deal with this dysfunction and its intentions is to be better and play better, to have a better team and overcome this adversity.” Barcelona return to La Liga action on Sunday against Levante, while Real Madrid visit Osasuna on Saturday. Laporta’s comments ensure the spotlight will remain as much on the officials as on the players when the ball rolls again.

Jammu, 19 June — History was made at the Ranji Trophy as Jammu and Kashmir booked their first-ever place in the final, sparking celebrations across the Union Territory and prompting top officials to promise a new, politics-free era for sport. The side sealed the landmark berth with a semifinal victory over Bengal in Kalyani, triggering a wave of praise from chief minister Omar Abdullah, lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha and the state legislative assembly. Sports minister Satish Sharma said the players deserved “greater applause” for overcoming chronic shortages in infrastructure and training facilities. “Congratulations to the J&K cricket team on their magnificent victory in the Ranji Trophy semifinal,” Sinha posted on X. “You have etched a new golden chapter in the sporting history of J&K.” Inside the assembly, Congress legislator Nizamuddin Bhat relayed news of the win, drawing loud applause from lawmakers. Speaker Kavinder Gupta joined members in congratulating the squad, while National Conference spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar hailed the day as “a red-letter day for Jammu and Kashmir cricket and for Jammu and Kashmir as a whole.” Chief minister Abdullah described the run to the final as a renaissance for the region’s cricket, praising captain Paras Dogra for surpassing 10,000 Ranji runs and seamer Auqib Nabi for claiming nine wickets in the semifinal to lift his season tally to 55 from 16 innings. “This landmark achievement reflects the team’s determination, discipline and rising sporting culture in Jammu and Kashmir,” Abdullah said. Former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti echoed the sentiment, crediting the squad for writing “a golden chapter in J&K’s sporting journey with grit, courage and unbreakable belief.” Sports minister Sharma acknowledged that basic facilities for cricketers remain scarce but vowed systemic reform. “Our priority will be to keep politics and politicians away from sports,” he told The Times of India, adding that the government would streamline support structures for athletes. J&K sports council secretary Nuzhat Gul called the final qualification “a moment of immense pride.” The team now prepares for the title match, aiming to cap a fairytale campaign that has already redefined what is possible for sport in the region.

Jurgen Klopp’s post-Liverpool sabbatical has taken him from the Anfield touchline to the top of the Lausanne mountains, where this week he sounded the bell at the Winter Olympics, underscoring a deliberate step back from the relentless rhythms of elite management. Yet even in repose the German tactician has not escaped the rumour mill, with recent whispers suggesting both Manchester United and Chelsea had tested the water over a dramatic return to English football. Those stories have been flatly rejected by the clubs themselves. Speaking on his YouTube channel, transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano revealed he contacted both United and Chelsea directly. Each outfit praised Klopp’s record—“one of the best managers in the world,” Romano quoted—but insisted no formal or even preliminary discussions took place. “Both clubs absolutely announce that they never had any advanced or concrete negotiations to appoint Jurgen Klopp,” Romano added, a statement that appears to close the door on any immediate Premier League comeback. Chelsea, for their part, have already moved on, installing Liam Rosenior as manager. Manchester United’s vacancy remains open, and with the summer coaching carousel set to spin, speculation linking Klopp to Old Trafford is unlikely to disappear entirely. Across the continent, Real Madrid are also weighing a permanent appointment after placing former Liverpool defender Álvaro Arbeloa in interim charge. Romano notes that while several Madrid executives hold Klopp in high regard, no talks have occurred. The 56-year-old’s focus, for now, remains on his advisory role within the Red Bull global network, a commitment he has reiterated since leaving Merseyside. For the time being, Klopp appears content to trade team-talks for torch-bearer duties, leaving Europe’s heavyweight clubs to conduct their managerial searches without his involvement—at least until he decides the time is right to re-enter the dug-out.

For months the storyline has felt pre-written: Manchester City, steered by a manager and a battle-hardened core who relish the spring-time squeeze, stalking an Arsenal side dogged by a reputation for wilting when the calendar flips to April. Saturday’s 0-0 draw at home to the division’s bottom club—one that arrived with ten points and a solitary league win all season—has stripped away the last layer of denial. From the opening whistle the Gunners played not to lose rather than to win, their body language heavy with the memory of previous collapses. Even the club’s most relentlessly optimistic supporters now concede the plot feels eerily familiar: a promising position eroded by nerves, City pouncing, and the Premier League trophy slipping back towards Manchester. The mathematics once appeared to offer insulation. After City’s breath-taking victory at Anfield—Bernardo Silva admitted they were “probably out of contention” with ten minutes remaining—Arsenal still held a cushion. Yet the psychological swing from that comeback was predictable: belief surged through the champions, while Mikel Arteta’s men looked ever more haunted. City have not even taken the field in the league since, yet know that maximum points from here would secure yet another title. Arsenal’s dwindling advantage has already followed the same rhetorical pattern that preceded previous heartbreaks: “We have a seven-point lead,” became “five,” will soon become “three,” and will inevitably shrink to “we only need a result at the Etihad,” before the familiar consolation prize—at least we ran them close. The pattern is no longer deniable. The same script, the same creeping anxiety, the same final reel. Unless something shifts dramatically, the question is not whether history will repeat, but simply how soon the closing credits will roll.

Steve Davies has released his latest Weekend football tips, flagging early value across the Premier League, EFL and Europe. The analyst’s shortlist features two eye-catching accumulators priced at 7-1 and 7-2, giving bettors a pair of high-return options ahead of the coming fixtures. With the action spread from England’s top flight to the continent, Davies’ selections are designed to help punters lock in profit before the weekend markets tighten.

Barcelona returned to the training ground on Thursday morning after manager Hansi Flick granted the squad a short break following their disappointing La Liga loss to Girona. The session brought encouraging news for the club and its supporters, as both Pedri and Marcus Rashford rejoined their teammates ahead of Sunday’s upcoming fixture against Levante. Pedri, sidelined for the past month with a hamstring injury, trained without issue and is anticipated to feature as a substitute during the weekend encounter as the club continues a cautious reintegration plan. Similarly, Rashford has resumed full training after a minor knee complaint; his availability adds another attacking option for Flick, who is eager to see an immediate reaction from his players. The only absentees remain Gavi and Andreas Christensen, leaving the German coach with a near-complete roster to choose from. According to Mundo Deportivo, Flick addressed the squad for approximately one hour before training, reviewing the shortcomings exposed in the Girona defeat and outlining expectations for the Levante match. Barcelona edged Levante 3-2 when the sides met earlier in the campaign at the Ciutat de València, and Flick will hope for a similarly positive outcome to steady the team’s momentum.

Chelsea’s injury-hit midfield is finally on the verge of reinforcements, with Roméo Lavia approaching the conclusion of a painstaking rehabilitation programme that has kept the Belgian out since early November. The 20-year-old, who last featured in the 2–2 Champions League draw against Qarabağ, has missed more than three months of action and has now been sidelined for 98 matches – a total of 608 days – since his £58 million arrival from Southampton in the summer of 2023. Manager Liam Rosenior acknowledged at the end of January that Lavia had returned to training, but urged caution, refusing to commit to a comeback date. “If they don’t make that day, it looks bad on them when I know how hard Roméo is working,” Rosenior said. Three weeks later, the Daily Mail reports that Lavia is “nearing the end of a detailed rehabilitation programme” designed by Chelsea’s medical staff to minimise the risk of relapse. The one-cap international continued individual work at the club’s Cobham base on Monday and Tuesday while team-mates were granted two days off, underlining both his determination and the club’s determination to bring him back methodically. Even once cleared, Lavia is expected to be “eased” into competitive minutes rather than thrown straight into the thick of a congested run-in. Chelsea’s central-midfield resources have been stretched razor-thin. With Lavia and fellow youngster Dário Essugo unavailable since the Club World Cup, Enzo Fernández and Moisés Caicedo have shouldered the load, supported only by Andrey Santos. Fernández has frequently been pushed into advanced areas to cover for Cole Palmer, forcing right-backs Reece James and Malo Gusto to deputise in midfield when required. The timing of Lavia’s potential return is critical. Rosenior’s side, beaten by Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final, remain alive on three fronts and could face as many as 23 matches between now and the end of the campaign, or a minimum of 15. Eight fixtures are already locked in before the first international break of 2026, including an FA Cup fifth-round trip to Wrexham on 7 March and a Champions League last-16 double-header against either Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco, Newcastle United or Qarabağ on 10/11 and 17/18 March. A scheduling quirk could see Newcastle and Chelsea meet three times in the space of seven days should the Magpies advance from their playoff and draw the Blues in Europe, sandwiching a previously arranged Premier League encounter. Lavia’s re-emergence would offer Rosenior both depth and balance at a juncture when every rotation option is precious.

New York — When the final whistle blew in Lisbon on Tuesday, the story was no longer a 1-1 draw between Benfica and Real Madrid. It was the moment Vinícius Júnior left the Estádio da Luz alleging racial abuse, and it was CBS Sports’ studio team that seized the narrative, steering a global conversation that quickly eclipsed the match itself. Coordinating producer Pete Radovich and line producer Matt Curtis extended the post-match window of UCL Today by 30 minutes, sensing that Thierry Henry, Micah Richards, Jamie Carragher and host Kate Scott had something urgent to say. The decision paid off: across Tuesday and Wednesday, clips from the programme surpassed 20 million views on social platforms, becoming the English-speaking world’s reference point for the incident. The show, modelled on the freewheeling Inside the NBA and geoblocked outside the United States, nonetheless travels globally through social media, its mix of camaraderie and candour turning serious moments into must-watch television. Henry, visibly moved, recalled his own experiences of abuse. “I feel so sorry for Vinícius,” he said. “At times you feel lonely because it’s going to be your word against his word.” Richards, veering between anger and fatigue, criticised Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni for covering his mouth during the confrontation. “No one will ever know what he said… but to pull your shirt over your mouth and now we’re having a conversation about, ‘Did it happen?’” Carragher, conscious of his platform, largely ceded the floor, later condemning José Mourinho’s post-match suggestion that Vinícius’ celebrations might invite trouble. “Anybody can celebrate how they like and you should not get racially abused for it,” he said. Scott, translating live interviews from Portuguese and French, anchored the coverage with composure. On Wednesday she opened the show with a monologue that drew 1.5 million views within hours, rejecting the idea that players “ask for” racism and calling for sanctions beyond “nominal fines and partial stadium closures.” The broadcaster’s stance contrasted sharply with other platforms; former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg apologised on Wednesday for saying on Amazon Prime UK that Vinícius had “not helped himself.” Meanwhile, CBS pitch-side reporter Guillem Balague captured scuffles between club officials outside the locker rooms, underscoring the tension that UEFA is now investigating. Once again, a programme designed for American afternoons has dictated the global evening’s discourse, proving that when football’s darkest issues surface, the world tunes in to CBS.

Napoli, Italy – Rasmus Hojlund’s loan spell at Napoli has become a story of redemption, and the Danish striker credits one man for the transformation: Antonio Conte. Speaking to Il Mattino (via Alfredo Pedulla), the 23-year-old revealed how the Partenopei coach has reignited his confidence after a bruising 21-game scoreless streak at Manchester United. “I still have a lot to learn, and I’m sure Conte is the right coach to help me grow in many ways,” Hojlund said. “Compared to Rasmus in August, I’m a different player. I’m still improving, and even though I’m not very young, I’m sure I still have a lot of room for improvement.” Since swapping Old Trafford for the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona last summer, Hojlund has buried 12 goals in all competitions, a stark contrast to the barren run that cast doubt on his £72 million move to United. The forward believes Conte’s relentless standards have been the catalyst. “He’s mentally incredibly strong. I’m fascinated by his mentality: he’s passionate, fierce. And he’s a winner. In fact, a serial winner. And if he doesn’t win, we immediately understand that we haven’t won,” Hojlund explained. Napoli secured the Denmark international on a €6 million season-long loan with an option to make the switch permanent for €44 million should they secure Champions League qualification. Club president Aurelio De Laurentiis has yet to commit, but Hojlund’s resurgence has strengthened his case for a long-term stay in southern Italy.

Chennai: Pakistan kept their T20 World Cup hopes alive and marched into the Super 8s with a commanding 102-run victory over Namibia at the SSC in Colombo, a result orchestrated by opener Sahibzada Farhan’s maiden T20I century and a ruthless spin-led bowling display. Sent in to bat after captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss, Pakistan were determined to avoid the early-tournament jitters that had dogged them against India and the Netherlands. Farhan, fresh from a subdued outing at the Premadasa, took time to gauge the wicket, reaching 52 for no loss after six overs while striking at a measured 110. The platform laid with fellow opener Saim Ayub (40-run stand) was consolidated through a 67-run third-wicket alliance with Agha, before Farhan and Shadab Khan bludgeoned 81 from the last 40 balls to propel the 2009 champions to 199 for 3. The acceleration began in the ninth over when leg-spinner Willem Myburgh was taken for 22, Agha starting the carnage with a straight six and Farhan following with two more maximums. Namibia’s seamers, operating in the mid-120s kph and missing their lengths regularly, were punished as Farhan unfurled an array of lofted drives and wristy flicks to bring up his century off the final ball of the innings. A target of 200 always looked out of Namibia’s reach on a surface offering purchase for the slow bowlers, and so it proved. Shadab Khan, eager to atone for a quiet outing against India, struck twice in the powerplay and finished with 3 for 19, while mystery spinner Usman Tariq weaved his web to claim a career-best 4 for 16 as Namibia folded for 97 in 17.3 overs. Only Jan-Izak Steenkamp offered resistance with 23 as Pakistan wrapped up their largest margin of victory in the tournament and booked a place in the next round. The win not only banished thoughts of an early exit but also underlined Pakistan’s depth: a top-order anchor capable of shifting gears and a spin trio capable of defending any total on helpful pitches.

FC Barcelona have accelerated their drive to secure Europe’s most promising teenagers, and the latest name to join the project is 16-year-old English winger Ajay Tavares. The Catalan club confirmed to Sport on Thursday that paperwork has been completed for Tavares’ move from Norwich City, with only FIFA’s formal approval still pending. Because the player holds dual Portuguese nationality, Barça were able to structure the deal under EU transfer regulations, smoothing the path for what could become one of the winter window’s most talked-about youth captures. Once ratified, Tavares will step straight into Barça’s Under-19 setup, reinforcing a squad already bolstered by several winter arrivals. Sources close to the negotiations say the winger’s explosive pace and direct style convinced the club’s scouts that he can replicate, at academy level, the attacking thrust that has become a hallmark of the first team. The recruitment staff also noted his comfort in one-on-one situations and a willingness to track back, traits that align with the club’s demand for technically gifted yet tactically disciplined wide players. Barcelona’s pursuit of Tavares was anything but straightforward. Sport reports that multiple Premier League sides lodged offers and arranged presentations in an attempt to keep the teenager on English soil. In the end, the combination of Barça’s renowned development pathway and a clear outline for progression through the youth ranks persuaded Tavares and his family to choose Spain. The decision underlines the club’s growing willingness to look beyond La Masia for elite prospects, a strategic shift designed to keep the academy pipeline stocked with players already identified as future first-team material. Administrative clearance is expected within days. If granted, Tavares will link up with his new teammates immediately, giving coach Oscar Lopez another dynamic option on the flank as the Juvenil A side pushes for domestic and UEFA Youth League honors. For Barcelona, the move represents another statement of intent: the next generation of talent may come from Norwich, Naples or Nicosia, but if the potential is elite, the club will move early and decisively. Keywords:

Barcelona’s sporting director Deco has acknowledged that the club were “very advanced” in negotiations to sign Germany defender Jonathan Tah on a free transfer last summer, only for the centre-back to ultimately join Bayern Munich. Tah, 30, had reached the final weeks of his Bayer Leverkusen contract and was available without a fee when Barcelona lodged a late-loan proposal during the 2024 window. As June approached, discussions intensified and a verbal agreement in principle appeared close, but the Catalans delayed making a definitive move. Bayern Munich seized the opportunity, announcing Tah’s arrival on a free shortly afterward. “There were very advanced conversations for Jonathan Tah, and in the end it didn’t happen,” Deco told Sport, confirming earlier reports that Barcelona had hesitated at the crucial moment. With Tah off the market, Barcelona redirected resources toward other targets, eventually landing goalkeeper Joan Garcia for €25 million, securing Marcus Rashford on a €5 million loan, and acquiring Roony Bardghji for €2.6 million. Tah wasted no time establishing himself at the Allianz Arena, starting 30 of his 32 competitive appearances under Vincent Kompany and contributing three goals and two assists in 2,625 minutes of action. He has been an unused substitute only three times since his summer switch. Looking ahead, reinforcing central defence remains a priority for Barcelona, though financial constraints cloud the budget. Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi is available on a free in a scenario similar to Tah’s a year ago, while premium options such as Josko Gvardiol and Alessandro Bastoni are admired but currently beyond the club’s salary-limit reach. Deco’s revelation underlines how fine the margins can be in the transfer market: one moment of indecision last summer turned a potential Barcelona stalwart into a mainstay for Bayern Munich.

Marseille have turned to a familiar figure in an attempt to rescue a season that is slipping away, appointing Habib Beye as the club looks to halt a Ligue 1 slump that has wrecked its championship ambitions. Beye will make his first appearance in the dugout on Friday when Marseille travel to Brest, a fixture that now carries added weight after a sequence of results that has seen the side drop out of contention at the top of the table. The decision to bring Beye back underscores the urgency at the Stade Vélodrome, where expectations of a sustained title push have given way to the more immediate priority of stabilising form and climbing back into contention. With the season at a critical juncture, the former defender’s familiarity with the club’s culture is viewed as an asset as he seeks to galvanise a squad whose confidence has been eroded by recent setbacks.

Barcelona’s Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper has become midfielder Gavi’s second home as the 21-year-old continues his patient rehabilitation from the internal meniscus injury that has sidelined him since last autumn. Club medical staff are keeping the Spain international on a carefully monitored, step-by-step programme, with no firm return date set. While Gavi works his way back, Hansi Flick’s squad have been left to rue their luck in front of goal. Barça top the unwanted European chart for shots striking the frame of the goal, their efforts having clattered off the woodwork 25 times across all competitions—more than any other side in the continent’s major leagues. Off the pitch, defender Gerard Martín has brushed aside fresh speculation linking him with a move to AC Milan. Sources close to the 23-year-old say he has no intention of leaving the club he joined as a boy, believing he is “living a dream” and has an increasingly important role under the current coaching staff. United Kingdom interest is not limited to Martín. Manchester United have identified left-back Alejandro Balde as a potential summer reinforcement. The Premier League giants are prepared to table an offer in the region of €40 million for the 22-year-old, who is contracted to Barça until 2028. Elsewhere, senior figures at Old Trafford are reportedly experiencing buyer’s remorse over Marcus Rashford. The England forward is expected to move to Camp Nou for a cut-price £26 million at the end of the season, a fee United hierarchy now feel undervalues the 28-year-old by as much as £24 million. On the women’s side, Barcelona Femení learned their UEFA Women’s Champions League fate after topping the league phase. The Blaugranes will face Clásico rivals Real Madrid in a blockbuster quarter-final tie, guaranteeing Spanish representation in the last four and setting up two high-stakes legs in March.

Tottenham’s decision to hand the reins to Igor Tudor for the remainder of the season has drawn immediate scepticism from one of the club’s most respected former strikers, Les Ferdinand, who fears the Croatian’s complete lack of English football experience could prove costly in a relegation dog-fight. Tudor, 45, was parachuted into the hot-seat last week after the dismissal of Thomas Frank, with Spurs languishing in 16th place and winless in eight Premier League outings. The former Juventus head coach has never worked in England as either player or manager, a deficit Ferdinand believes is a glaring gamble with survival on the line. “He’s short-term, he’s left-field in terms of what they’re going for,” Ferdinand told the Press Association. “My reservation and my concern would be the fact he knows nothing about the Premier League, he’s not managed there. History tends to tell you a manager needs time to learn the league. I hope I’m wrong, because Tottenham are in a precarious position.” The north Londoners sit five points above the drop zone and have not tasted top-flight football outside the Premier League since 1978. With West Ham showing signs of life beneath them and Nottingham Forest recalibrating after their own managerial change, Ferdinand warns that comfort is in short supply. “I’m not sure if they’ll go down, but you’d be concerned about their form,” he added. “Spurs won’t be sitting there feeling comfortable; they’re in a battle.” Ferdinand, inducted this week into the National Football Museum Hall of Fame, retains sympathy for Frank, whose tenure was undermined by a cascade of injuries to pivotal attackers Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison, while new signing Mohammed Kudus also spent lengthy spells on the sidelines. The sale of Brennan Johnson without an immediate replacement, Ferdinand argues, further weakened a squad that finished 17th in the previous domestic campaign despite lifting the Europa League. “At some stage you’ve got to look at the players,” he stressed. “This group finished 17th. Winning the Europa League was admirable, but many of those opponents would struggle in the Premier League.” Tudor’s baptism of fire arrives on Sunday with the north London derby against table-topping Arsenal. Ferdinand concedes the timing is brutal: “That’s straight out of the frying pan into the fire, but there’s not a lot he can do. He has to prepare the team this week for that occasion.” Tottenham supporters will hope Tudor’s unfamiliarity with the league proves a blessing rather than a curse; Ferdinand, for now, remains unconvinced.

Kolkata’s Eden Gardens pulsed with Caribbean drums and Italian chants as West Indies faced Italy in a pivotal Group C encounter, and when the final ball settled in Shai Hope’s palms, the hosts had sealed a 42-run victory that tightened their grip on the tournament. Batting first after a hazy evening toss, West Indies laboured through disciplined Italian new-ball spells that nipped the ball gently off the seam. Yet Hope’s composure anchored the innings; his 75 from 46 deliveries blended calculated placement square of the wicket with crisp punishment of anything short. Between boundaries he rotated strike, denying Italy a foothold, and late-order cameos nudged the total to 165 for six in 20 overs. Italy’s reply began with bold intent, openers flaying the powerplay to raise hopes of an upset. The crowd roared as boundaries flowed, but Hope’s safe pair of hands intervened twice — a tumbling catch on the rope and a sharp snare at cover — to swing momentum. Wickets then tumbled in clusters against the climbing asking rate, and Italy’s fearless start dissolved into a scramble. They were bowled out for 123 in 18 overs, the final wicket greeted by jubilant calypso beats echoing around the floodlit arena. Hope’s all-round display earned him Player of the Match honours, his 75 runs and two decisive catches embodying the poise that ultimately trumped Italy’s spirited enterprise. The result propels West Indies up the Group C table, while Italy exit the night with encouragement but no points.

Barcelona’s teenage defensive linchpin Pau Cubarsi has vowed that the squad “will fight until the end” to deliver the Champions League to a fan-base still buzzing from last season’s domestic treble, insisting that Hansi Flick’s high-wire tactical blueprint can conquer Europe despite a recent dip in results. In a wide-ranging interview with Mundo Deportivo, the 19-year-old—already a centurion in club appearances—reflected on his vertiginous rise, the nuances of Flick’s system, and the personalities that populate Barça’s back line. “Everything is happening very fast for me,” Cubarsi admitted. “I almost do not have time to realise what I am doing, but I am very happy, always very proud to be part of the club of my life.” Numbers underline his impact: the Catalan ranks as Europe’s most accurate passer and most dominant duel-winner among Under-21 centre-backs. Yet the Girona native refuses to be seduced by statistics. “They are good statistics, but I am not someone who focuses too much on them,” he said, adding that improvement remains a daily obsession. “With the passing years I gain experience, which is important for big matches.” That maturity will be tested in the Champions League, where Barcelona’s high defensive line has drawn scrutiny after consecutive Liga defeats to Atlético and Girona. Cubarsi, however, defended Flick’s approach with the conviction of a seasoned veteran. “From the outside it might look very risky, but both the coach’s idea and ours is to go all together,” he explained. “We saw last season that it worked well for us. Sometimes we have to adjust four things, which is normal, but I think we are doing things well.” The defender revealed that Flick’s man-management style has accelerated the squad’s buy-in. “He almost always gives us the same advice: to be ourselves, with confidence and security,” Cubarsi noted. “Inside, he always tries to help us and protect us. The truth is that he is a very good coach.” Cubarsi’s emergence has coincided with a changing of the guard at centre-back. After forming a reliable partnership with Iñigo Martínez during last year’s treble drive—Martínez has since departed—Cubarsi now shoulders greater responsibility alongside Eric García, Gerard Martín and the recently returned Ronald Araújo. “With Iñigo I felt safe; he was the experienced one,” Cubarsi recalled. “This year I have had to take a step forward. With Eric I have shared a dressing room and the back line at the Olympic Games; with Ronald and Gerard we form a great duo.” Araújo’s return from a mental-health hiatus has lifted spirits. “He almost behaved like a father when I arrived,” Cubarsi said. “Now he should enjoy what he likes most, which is football.” Speculation swirls around potential reinforcements—Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni has been linked as a natural left-footed option—but Cubarsi redirected praise inward. “Bastoni is a spectacular centre-back, but we believe we have spectacular centre-backs and we are very happy with the work all of us at the back are doing,” he stated. Up front, Julian Álvarez continues to be floated as a future No. 9 should Robert Lewandowski’s tenure wind down. Cubarsi, who has faced the Argentine internationally, called him “a world-class striker, at Barça level,” while stressing that “both Robert and Ferran are very good and help us a lot.” Regardless of personnel changes, Cubarsi’s message to supporters was unequivocal: “Stay with us, because we are going to fight until the end, as we always have, and we will try to bring the Champions League and all the possible titles.” With Flick’s tactical gamble, a retooled defence and the fearlessness of youth, Barcelona’s latest defensive prodigy believes the grand prize is within reach.

HOUSTON — Sean Strickland arrived at UFC Fight Week with his middleweight bout against Anthony Hernandez on the horizon, but it was his scorched-earth commentary on the newly announced Rousey-Carano featherweight showdown that stole the spotlight. Speaking to reporters ahead of Saturday’s card, the former 185-pound champion unloaded on the Paramount+ headliner, women’s mixed martial arts as a whole, and the cultural forces he claims are “ruining society.” The matchup, pitting two of the sport’s most recognizable pioneers in Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano, has been billed as a nostalgic blockbuster since its reveal by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions. Yet Strickland left no ambiguity about his disdain. “It’s fu****g retarded,” he said. “Ronda Rousey’s gonna steamroll her. Ronda was an Olympian that was a multi-time world champion. Gina Carano was pretty in a time when women’s MMA sucked. It’s still not very good, but when Gina Carano was fighting, it was significantly worse.” Strickland doubled down during the UFC Houston media day, framing the contest as an unwanted glimpse into middle age rather than elite competition. “We’re just gonna watch two middle-aged women, fu****g going through menopause, fight each other. I have no interest in that. Who gives a f**k?” The 34-year-old then broadened his critique to women’s sports in general, asserting, “No one gives a f**k about women’s sports.” He followed with a series of incendiary remarks, declaring that “the weakest man in this room could beat up Amanda Nunes” and suggesting that women “shouldn’t be fighting,” instead praising domestic roles such as “having kids, being mothers, making food, cleaning the house.” Strickland’s rhetoric extended beyond MMA. He lambasted global superstar Bad Bunny and lamented that institutions like the NFL, once pillars of “traditional masculinity,” had shifted cultural priorities. Clips of the session circulated rapidly, drawing backlash from figures including former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III and actor O’Shea Jackson Jr., while reigniting discussion over how the UFC polices its athletes’ public statements. With fight night approaching, Strickland’s diatribe ensures the spotlight remains fixed on him—if not for his performance inside the cage, then certainly for the chaos he continues to stir outside it.

Paris Saint-Germain’s path to the Champions League round of 16 remains open, but only after a dramatic escape in Monaco. Trailing 2-0 inside 25 minutes, down a missed penalty and with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé limping off, the holders looked on the brink of genuine jeopardy. Enter 20-year-old Désiré Doué, the summer’s marquee acquisition who had flickered rather than blazed through the first months of 2025-26. Two goals and a key pass on Achraf Hakimi’s equaliser later, PSG return to the capital with a slender advantage in a playoff tie that now feels like a formality. Should Luis Enrique’s side finish the job at the Parc des Princes, they will move directly into a last-16 collision with either Barcelona or Chelsea—two opponents who have shaped the club’s modern European narrative in wildly different ways. Barcelona first. The Catalans remain etched in PSG folklore for the wrong reasons: the 2017 Remontada, when a 4-0 first-leg lead evaporated in a 6-1 Camp Nou nightmare. Since that trauma, however, Paris have wrestled back control, winning both subsequent knockout ties with something to spare and opening the current campaign with a 2-1 comeback victory over Hansi Flick’s La Liga champions. With Neymar’s record-shattering 2017 transfer still hovering over every meeting, the rivalry carries emotional heft as well as tactical intrigue. Chelsea, by contrast, have tormented PSG in bursts. Three consecutive round-of-16 showdowns in the mid-2010s left scars, and last summer’s 3-0 demolition in the FIFA Club World Cup final underlined the Blues’ enduring pedigree on the global stage. Cole Palmer’s masterclass and Enzo Maresca’s tactical stranglehold that night in New York served notice that west London pedigree runs deeper than form tables. New manager Liam Rosenior has steadied the ship since December, steering Chelsea past Pafos and Napoli to secure knockout football. History whispers encouragement: both of the club’s Champions League triumphs arrived after mid-season dugout changes. For Enrique, the equation is stark—overcome Monaco at home, then prepare for a collision heavy with storylines, pressure and the weight of recent history. For Barcelona or Chelsea, the prospect of facing the competition’s holders offers both danger and opportunity. No soft landing awaits in the last 16.

Igor Tudor’s first afternoon in a Tottenham dugout could hardly be more incendiary: 4.30 p.m. on Sunday, live on Sky Sports, Arsenal arrive for a north-London derby and Spurs are bottom-heavy with a dozen unavailable footballers. Cristian Romero is suspended; eleven others are injured. The league table shows Tottenham 16th, five points above the drop, and winless in seven top-flight matches. The Croatian, hired after Thomas Frank’s eight-game winless spiral, has never hidden his tactical DNA. Across spells at Hellas Verona, Lazio and Juventus he has leaned on a back three, usually within a 3-4-2-1 that sacrifices width for twin No.10s behind a lone striker. “I like to be positive. I like to play offensive football,” Tudor said on arrival, but conceded: “We need to first find the best system that suits the players that are available.” Those numbers are stark. With Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin the only fit specialist centre-backs, Tudor must either abandon his favoured shape or field a makeshift defender. Joao Palhinha, used as an emergency centre-half under Frank, is the obvious candidate; 18-year-old Archie Gray has also deputised there. Full-back reinforcements are equally scarce—Pedro Porro and Destiny Udogie are injured—so January signing Souza, briefly glimpsed at Old Trafford, is in contention for left wing-back, with Djed Spence the likely right-sided runner. Arsenal, meanwhile, have lost only once in the Premier League since last season against a three-man defence, though they were held mid-week by bottom club Wolves operating 3-4-2-1. Spurs fans remember November’s 3-0 beating at the Emirates when Frank tried a back three; Tudor must decide whether past trauma or recent evidence carries more weight. Further up the pitch the new head coach has greater latitude. Conor Gallagher, Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, Palhinha and Gray all vie for midfield minutes. In attack, Xavi Simons and Dominic Solanke appear inked in, leaving Randal Kolo Muani—who scored six times in nine Tudor-led Juve fixtures last spring—duelling with Mathys Tel for the final advanced role. Tudor has 12 league games to engineer an escape, a timeframe he bettered at both Lazio (qualifying for Europe in nine matches) and Juventus. “Style is more important than the system,” he insists, yet the immediate priority is clear: halt a seven-match clean-sheet drought while restoring attacking clarity that evaporated during Frank’s pragmatist turn. Supporters, submitting their own XIs, overwhelmingly back a back-three variant, whether 3-5-2, 3-4-1-2 or 3-4-3, almost all featuring Kolo Muani and an attacking mandate. One post read: “I absolutely loved Tudor’s first interview… he demands no excuses and expects his team to go all in for a win.” Sunday’s result will not decide survival, but it will frame the narrative: can a coach famed for defensive trios conjure organisation from chaos, or will Arsenal expose another Spurs experiment gone awry? The white half of north London waits, hopeful that formation, fight and a sprinkling of attacking verve can combine to ignite a season still flickering on the launchpad. SEO keywords:

Madrid, Spain – Real Madrid have joined a growing queue of European heavyweights tracking Levante’s misfiring but still coveted striker Etta Eyong, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, with the Cameroonian’s future poised to become one of the summer window’s most intriguing sub-plots. Eyong, 22, exploded into La Liga life at the start of 2025-26, registering six goals and one assist in Levante’s opening ten league fixtures and briefly looking like the division’s breakout star. Since that blistering run, however, the forward has gone scoreless in ten consecutive club and international appearances, a barren stretch that has done little to cool external interest but plenty to complicate matters at Estadi Ciutat de València. Levante have already fielded multiple offers for their prize asset, most notably rejecting a €30 million approach from CSKA Moscow earlier this year. Sources close to the Valencian club now indicate Levante are actively encouraging the Russian side to return with an improved bid, yet Eyong has flatly refused the move, a stance that saw him left on the bench for Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Villarreal. Despite the slump in form – his seasonal tally stands at six goals and three assists from 22 La Liga outings – Europe’s elite remain on alert. Real Madrid, who will welcome Endrick back from his loan at Lyon ahead of 2026-27, are monitoring developments with a view to a summer approach, while Juventus, Barcelona, Manchester United and Arsenal have all maintained dialogue with intermediaries over a potential deal. With the Russian transfer window still open there remains a theoretical path to Moscow, yet Eyong’s camp is understood to favour waiting until the broader European market heats up, hoping a return to goal-scoring form will entice more lucrative destinations. Levante, for their part, are under pressure to cash in at the right price after banking on an upward trajectory that has recently stalled. Whether Eyong can rediscover the ruthlessness that first caught Real Madrid’s eye may determine not only his next employer but also the size of the fee that could ultimately end his brief but eventful stay on the eastern coast of Spain.

Madrid, Spain — Atlético Madrid have drawn a line in the sand over Julian Álvarez, telling suitors across Europe that the Argentina forward is not for sale at any price. With Barcelona, Chelsea and a clutch of Premier League rivals registering firm interest, the club has countered by placing an upgraded, salary-boosted contract on the table, sources confirmed on Tuesday. Álvarez, 24, is tied to the Metropolitano until 2030, but that long-term security has not deterred would-be buyers from testing Atlético’s resolve. The Madrid side invested €75 million to secure his signature in 2024 and now values the striker at roughly double that figure, yet president Enrique Cerezo insists the calculus is irrelevant. “We have no intention of letting our star leave,” Cerezo said, underlining the club’s stance that the player is central to future ambitions. The proposed new deal would significantly raise Álvarez’s current wages, rewarding the forward’s instant impact and aiming to remove any incentive to listen to external offers. Negotiations remain ongoing, and while the final decision rests with the player, Atlético’s message is unambiguous: every financial lever will be pulled to ensure he continues in red-and-white next season and beyond.

Chelsea are weighing up a mid-season departure for Liam Delap less than a year after beating a host of Premier League rivals to sign the striker from relegated Ipswich Town, according to Thursday’s transfer chatter. The 21-year-old, who arrived at Stamford Bridge amid high expectations last summer, has found first-team opportunities scarce and has managed only one Premier League goal so far this campaign. With his impact limited, Blues officials are open to sanctioning a loan or permanent switch to accelerate his development. Caught Offside reports that appetite for Delap remains strong across the division: Manchester United, Newcastle United, Everton, Sunderland and Brighton are all receptive to striking a deal, ensuring Chelsea are unlikely to be short of suitors should they green-light an exit. Aston Villa’s in-form attacker Morgan Rogers is also attracting increasing attention. Liverpool have now entered a race that already includes Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester United, TEAMtalk understands. Yet the competition is poised to intensify, with Paris Saint-Germain monitoring the 23-year-old throughout the season and weighing up a move of their own. Bodø/Glimt’s Champions League surge has put striker Kasper Høgh on the radar of several English clubs. A proposed January switch to Norwich fell through, but SportsBoom indicates both Tottenham and Wolves are now tracking the Norwegian forward. Union Saint-Gilloise’s towering Canadian striker Promise David is another name generating traction. Everton, Leeds United and West Ham have all made enquiries, with the Belgian side valuing the 20-year-old at €20 million, journalist Ekrem Konur reports. Liverpool’s midfield rebuild is also taking shape. Bence Bocsak claims the Merseysiders have compiled a six-man shortlist headlined by Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton. Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, AZ Alkmaar’s Kees Smit, PSG prodigy Warren Zaire-Emery and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi complete the roster of targets. Finally, Bournemouth centre-back Marcos Senesi is set to become one of the summer’s most sought-after free agents. With his contract on the south coast winding down, clubs from across Europe are positioning themselves to secure the Argentine defender on a free transfer.

Goodison Park’s corridors are buzzing after a whirlwind 24 hours of transfer whispers, emotional reflections and looming contract calls. Everton’s recruitment radar is sweeping continents, while one of their own savoured the moment that turned him into an instant cult hero. Charly Alcaraz has given an exclusive interview to the club in which he recalls the surge of emotion that accompanied his first Everton goal and admits the roar of supporters belting out his song still gives him goosebumps. The midfielder’s breakthrough strike appears to have cemented an already-growing bond with the Gwladys Street faithful. Across the North Sea, Blues scouts were present as Union SG’s Canadian striker Promise David continued his prolific Belgian Pro League campaign. Everton are reportedly locked in a two-way tussle with Wolverhampton Wanderers for the 22-year-old’s signature, with Sports Boom noting that director of football Kevin Thelwell has personally requested extensive reports on the forward’s movement and link-up play. Attention is also fixed on outgoing traffic. West Ham have entered the race for Harry Wilson after Everton made what London World terms a “cheeky enquiry” in January. The Welsh winger, who previously spent a loan spell on Merseyside, could yet return if the Hammers’ pursuit stalls. At centre-back, interest in Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi has intensified. TeamTalk understands Barcelona’s overtures have turned the Argentine’s head, but Tottenham and Everton remain in the background, ready to pounce if the La Liga giants balk at the Cherries’ valuation. Everton have no intention of entertaining offers for midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Football Insider states, with the club viewing the 25-year-old as a cornerstone of their future midfield. The stance is mirrored in the loan market: Accrington Stanley boss John Doolan lauded Toffees youngster Isaac Heath for the “magic” assist that downed Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday, underlining the value of the club’s development pipeline. Off the pitch, the club face a baker’s-dozen of contract decisions ahead of another summer overhaul, according to the Liverpool Echo, while the same outlet asks whether a potential Europa League berth next term would aid or hinder a squad still finding its identity. The debate over David Moyes’ future has also reignited on fan forum ToffeeWeb, with some supporters questioning whether a managerial change is required to accelerate progress. On the women’s side, a tantalising Merseyside derby looms this weekend as Everton Women travel to St Helens Stadium for an Adobe Women’s FA Cup showdown with Liverpool, promising a raucous atmosphere and a shot at silverware. As the Europa League and Conference League playoffs kick off across the continent, Evertonians will watch with interest, wondering if their side might yet gate-crash European football’s secondary stage.

Liverpool have already begun to rebuild the squad that won the Premier League last season. The forward line was the main focus last summer, with two new fullbacks also being added, and a deal has already been agreed for Jeremy Jacquet to move to Anfield and bolster the defence in the summer. The Reds’ next logical step is to address the midfield, especially as there have been times this season that all of the club’s available midfielders have been on the pitch at once. A whole host of midfielders have been linked with a Merseyside move ahead of the summer, but one of the most intriguing names is Kees Smit, and a fresh report has offered more insight into Liverpool’s pursuit of the Dutchman. Arne Slot’s side are not the only ones interested in signing Smit this summer with several of Europe’s top sides, including Real Madrid, also monitoring the 20-year-old. According to a report from Spanish outlet Fichajes, the Reds have accelerated their interest and even contacted Smit’s entourage to get a deal agreed before any other team can. A fee of around €50 million (~£43.5m) could be enough to persuade AZ Alkmaar to sell, but with multiple teams interested a bidding war is always a possibility. The report states that Liverpool are keen to avoid finding themselves missing out on another midfield target to Real Madrid, with Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni both opting to join Los Blancos over the Reds in years gone by. Smit has established himself as a key player for AZ Alkmaar and has demonstrated a versatility in midfield that would be extremely useful in the Premier League. With some doubt over the futures of a number of Liverpool’s current midfield options, the Reds desire to get a deal done as soon as possible is understandable, but things are rarely that simple in football.

SEATTLE — The Seattle Seahawks are officially on the market. Paul Allen’s estate announced Wednesday that it has begun the process of selling the franchise, honoring the late owner’s directive that his sports holdings eventually be liquidated and the proceeds directed to philanthropy. The news comes less than a month after the Seahawks captured their second Lombardi Trophy, a championship that punctuated nearly three decades of stability under Allen’s stewardship. Allen, who purchased the team in 1997 for $194 million from Ken Behring, was widely credited with keeping the Seahawks in the Pacific Northwest. His sister, Jody, has overseen day-to-day operations since Allen’s death in 2018 from complications of non-Hodgkin lymphoma at age 65. Wednesday’s brief statement from the estate offered no timeline beyond indicating the sale will “continue through the offseason,” but it reiterated that the franchise is expected to remain in Seattle, where its lease at Lumen Field runs through 2032 and includes three additional 10-year options. Investment bank Allen & Company and law firm Latham & Watkins have been retained to manage the process. Any final agreement must be ratified by NFL owners, who last approved a franchise transaction in 2023 when a Josh Harris-led group bought the Washington Commanders for a record $6.05 billion. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, speaking ahead of the Super Bowl, praised the Allen estate’s management of the team and signaled the league’s readiness to assist in the transition. “They’re in the Super Bowl, and I think from that standpoint they’ve done a really important job in the context of the trust and the execution of that,” Goodell said. “But eventually the team will need to be sold in accordance with that. That will be Jody’s decision for when she does that, and we will be supportive of that.” The Seahawks’ sale marks the second major move for the Allen estate in less than a year. In September, Jody Allen agreed to sell the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers to an investment group fronted by Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon, a deal expected to close this spring with the stipulation that the franchise stays in Portland. Neither the NFL nor the Allen estate provided additional comment Wednesday, leaving the identity of prospective buyers—and the ultimate price for one of the league’s most stable franchises—to speculation as the offseason unfolds.

Tottenham Hotspur’s turbulent season has taken another twist, with Brazilian forward Richarlison emerging as a summer transfer target for Atlético Madrid. The 28-year-old, who has registered seven goals and three assists in 21 Premier League appearances, is facing an uncertain future in North London after a hamstring injury sidelined him in January. Richarlison had finally established himself as Thomas Frank’s first-choice striker following Dominic Solanke’s ankle surgery, only for his momentum to be halted by the setback. With European qualification slipping out of reach and just one year remaining on his contract, Spurs are open to negotiations, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes. Atlético manager Diego Simeone has already green-lit a move for the Brazilian international, viewing him as a cost-effective option should Julian Álvarez depart for Arsenal. While Richarlison may not be a like-for-like replacement for Álvarez, his reduced price tag would free funds for a marquee signing up front. Tottenham hope Richarlison’s expected return to fitness in late February and a strong World Cup showing for Brazil will drive up his market value ahead of the summer window. Yet, inside the club, the forward is no longer viewed as part of the long-term project at White Hart Lane.

Colombo, 19 February 2026 – The R. Premadasa Stadium hosts a high-stakes dress rehearsal for the Super 8s on Thursday afternoon as Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe lock horns in a contest that will decide the outright leader of their T20 World Cup group. With both sides already assured of progression, the prize on offer is more than mere bragging rights: top spot should deliver a theoretically smoother path when the tournament’s knockout phase begins. Sri Lanka enter the clash in ominous touch. Comfortable wins over Oman and Ireland were followed by a commanding eight-wicket demolition of Australia, a result that announced Dasun Shanaka’s squad as genuine title contenders. Familiar home conditions have allowed the bowling trio of Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera and Matheesh Pathirana to operate with menace, while Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis have provided explosive starts at the top of the order. Zimbabwe, by contrast, have ridden the tournament’s most captivating narrative. A stunning upset of Australia, allied to a rain-affected no-result against Ireland, proved sufficient to eliminate the five-time champions and propel Sikandar Raza’s men into uncharted territory. The Africans have shown fearless cricket throughout, with Brian Bennett’s clean striking and Richard Ngarava’s disciplined new-ball spell embodying a team playing without pressure. Thursday’s afternoon start—3:00 PM IST, toss at 2:30 PM IST—means dew is unlikely to play a major role, allowing the better-balanced side to press home any advantage. Sri Lanka are expected to stick with the XI that dismantled Australia, while Zimbabwe could yet spring a surprise if they opt to bolster either their pace or spin department. Broadcast and streaming details for Indian viewers are straightforward: every ball will be carried live on the Star Sports Network, with digital audiences able to catch the action via the Jio Hotstar app and website. Real-time updates, scorecards and in-play clips will also be available on TimesofIndia.com. Sri Lanka squad: Dasun Shanaka (c), Charith Asalanka, Dushantha Chameera, Dushan Hemantha, Janith Liyanage, Kamindu Mendis, Kusal Mendis (wk), Kamil Mishara, Pathum Nissanka, Matheesa Pathirana, Kusal Perera, Pramod Madushan, Pavan Rathnayake, Maheesh Theekshana, Dunith Wellalage. Zimbabwe squad: Sikandar Raza (c), Brian Bennett, Ryan Burl, Graeme Cremer, Ben Curran, Brad Evans, Clive Madande, Tinotenda Maposa, Tadiwanashe Marumani, Wellington Masakadza, Tony Munyonga, Tashinga Musekiwa, Blessing Muzarabani, Dion Myers, Richard Ngarava.

Istanbul’s Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium will stage the first leg of the Europa League play-off round this evening as Nottingham Forest open a new chapter under Vítor Pereira against a resurgent Fenerbahçe. Pereira, appointed on Sunday, becomes the club’s fourth permanent manager of the season—a Premier League record—and takes charge only days after predecessor Sean Dyche was dismissed despite 15 goals in eight continental fixtures, Forest’s best return since 1978-79. The Reds finished 13th in the league phase, two points shy of automatic qualification, and arrive in Turkey on the back of consecutive domestic victories. Yet defensive concerns dominate team news: Chris Wood and Willy Boly are both sidelined with knee problems, goalkeeper Matz Sels is out with a groin injury, and centre-back Murillo will undergo a late fitness test. Elliot Anderson is expected to start in midfield despite carrying yellow-card risk, while Igor Jesus leads the attack after matching the club’s Europa League scoring record with six goals; one more would set a new benchmark for a single European campaign. January recruit Lorenzo Lucca could debut from the bench. Fenerbahçe, 19th in the league phase, have hit form under Domenico Tedesco with four straight domestic wins and have never lost consecutive home games in Europe. January additions N’Golo Kanté and Matteo Guendouzi are set to anchor a 4-2-3-1, shielding a back line that has conceded 1.4 goals per game this term. Anderson Talisca and Kerem Aktürkoğlu remain the primary attacking threats, though the “Yellow Canaries” have won only one of their last nine encounters against English opposition and have collected a competition-high 33 yellow cards in eight outings. Archie Brown, Abdou Fall and Emre Mor are unavailable. Pereira carries a personal streak of winning his first match in each of his last seven managerial appointments, a run Forest hope will inject momentum into a side that has managed only three wins in 13 recent matches. The visitors’ continental away record offers encouragement: they have consistently outperformed their expected goals on the road. Stabilising a depleted defence against a midfield bolstered by Kanté and Guendouzi will be the Portuguese coach’s immediate priority. Fenerbahçe Predicted XI: Ederson; Semedo, Skriniar, Oosterwolde, Muldur; Kanté, Guendouzi; Nene, Asensio, Aktürkoğlu; Talisca. Nottingham Forest Predicted XI: Gunn; Aina, Milenkovic, Morato, Williams; Anderson, Sangare; Ndoye, Gibbs-White, Hudson-Odoi; Jesus. Kick-off is at 17:00 GMT with live coverage on TNT Sports 3 and streaming via discovery+.