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Who do you pick from among the stellar middle-order players going around? Our in-house selection panel tackles that and other thorny questions

Sreshth Shah03-May-202027:19

Which players would make it to a current World Test XI?

In the first instalment of , a new series where we ask our writers to pick all-star teams based on certain criteria, we selected the best XI from among all the Asian World Cup-winning sides. In episode two, George Dobell, Osman Samiuddin and Andrew Fernando take up the unenviable task of selecting the best Test XI (along with a 12th man) from among the world’s current cricketers. Quite a few players were unanimous choices, but there was plenty of debate too. Watch how our selectors arrived at their picks in the video above.4:38

Don’t we have any top-drawer Test openers?

The opener dilemma
Let’s face it. Very few compelling choices exist among openers successful in all conditions. Does Tamim Iqbal’s form in England earn him a place? Has Tom Latham proved his worth in Asia? Does Mayank Agarwal’s Test average of 57.29 make him an obvious choice? Who did our selectors eventually pick?Come down to the middle order and it’s the opposite. Smith, Kohli, Williamson, Labuschagne, Pujara, Azam and Co. You can pick only three. Who’d be a selector?3:28

A toss-up between two offspinners

Who will keep? Who will spin?
Two front-line contenders in the race for the wicketkeeper’s spot. Guess who they are, and who our panel picked. (They didn’t spend too long debating this one.)Two offies, a leggie, and a left-arm orthodox tweaker were the contenders for the spinner’s spot. One was swiftly discarded based on current form, but the other three offer such varied benefits that they needed to be weighed against each other. Ravindra Jadeja is the ideal allrounder, Nathan Lyon has been excellent on surfaces in Australia – where spin bowling has never been simple – but R Ashwin’s success in Asia cannot be ignored either. Can the experts fit more than one into this XI?6:44

Spoilt for choice with fast bowlers

Does Pat Cummins score over Jasprit Bumrah?
Is it fair to judge Bumrah – who plays most of his Tests in seam-friendly conditions while being rested in Asia, where fast bowling is toughest – on the same yardstick as other seamers? How strong a case do Kagiso Rabada and Trent Boult make? What about one of the other Indian seamers? Questions, questions. Dream Teams,

Chelsea have decided not to fast-track Emmanuel Emegha’s arrival from Strasbourg despite Liam Delap suffering another significant injury setback, with the club maintaining their long-planned timeline for the striker’s summer 2026 arrival. Delap’s shoulder issue leaves Enzo Maresca short of natural No.9 options, but the Blues remain committed to their original transfer plans.

Delap's injury won't change Emegha transfer plans

Chelsea entered the week preparing for their Champions League trip to Atalanta with an unexpected disruption in attack after Delap suffered a nasty shoulder injury in the 0-0 draw at Bournemouth. Delap left the pitch with his right arm supported in a sling, leaving Maresca without one of his two recognised strikers and creating immediate questions about the club’s reinforcement plans heading into January. Although early assessments indicate the issue is “quite bad,” there is not yet a definitive recovery timeline.

Because of Delap’s absence, speculation quickly grew suggesting Chelsea might accelerate the arrival of Emegha, the Strasbourg forward already pre-signed for next summer. However, the has insisted that Emegha will remain in France until the end of the season as originally agreed, with no intention of altering the transfer schedule. Chelsea believe they have enough cover internally and prefer not to disrupt the development plan set for the 22-year-old Dutch striker.

Chelsea opted to bring back Marc Guiu from his Sunderland loan back in August after Delap's earlier injury, and the plan is to stick with the former Barcelona star yet again to provide cover for Delap. Guiu replaced the injured Englishman against Bournemouth, with Maresca explaining that the physical nature of the match suited the teenager more than using Joao Pedro as a makeshift centre-forward. As a result, the club does not see the need to adjust their recruitment plans mid-season, even amid another injury blow in attack.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportChelsea left short of No.9s after Delap's injury

The timing of Delap’s injury is particularly disruptive given Chelsea’s need to balance Champions League commitments with Premier League progress. The club has scored in 20 consecutive matches across competitions before the Bournemouth draw, but the stalemate highlighted the fragility of their attacking output when key personnel are absent. Maresca’s forward line now depends heavily on the rotation of Guiu, Pedro, and Pedro Neto, the latter two of whom are not long-term natural fits as a conventional No.9.

While the decision to keep Emegha at Strasbourg appears firm, Chelsea know they must extract maximum versatility from their existing forwards in the coming months. Neto has operated as a false nine before, however, using him in that role regularly may hinder the team’s balance in wide areas. Pedro remains more effective between the lines, meaning Guiu becomes the most natural option, though the club acknowledges he is still raw and in the early stages of his development.

AFPEmegha's move pre-agreed for the summer of 2026

Emegha’s move to Chelsea was agreed months ago as part of the recruitment network shared between the club and their sister side Strasbourg. The plan is for him to complete the season in France to maximise minutes, given that he is still refining his physical and technical profile, and Chelsea consider a mid-season move potentially damaging to his progress. The Blues believe that arriving during pre-season offers him a much stronger platform to integrate and adapt.

These developmental considerations remain central to Chelsea’s reluctance to bring him in ahead of time despite the disruption caused by Delap’s injury. The 22-year-old forward has been closely monitored throughout the first half of the Ligue 1 season, and the west Londoners view his steady progression as evidence that sticking to the original timeline is beneficial. At the same time, Chelsea’s hierarchy trusts Maresca’s ability to extract attacking solutions from the current squad.

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Getty Images SportChelsea to utilise multiple players to cover for Delap

Chelsea are expected to continue with Guiu, Pedro, and Neto sharing responsibilities in central areas while Delap undergoes further medical assessment in the coming days. Maresca will rotate based on tactical needs, while the availability of Moises Caicedo and other key returnees may help stabilise the team’s overall structure. The manager is likely to offer further updates on squad depth following Tuesday’s Champions League match.

Attention will soon shift to Everton at Stamford Bridge, where a more traditional attacking setup may be preferred if Guiu continues to meet training expectations. Chelsea will be cautious not to overwork their young forwards amid a packed schedule, especially with Delap facing another potentially lengthy spell out. January discussions will continue internally, but the stance on Emegha appears settled barring an unforeseen change in circumstances.

Looking ahead, Emegha’s arrival in the summer remains a central part of Chelsea’s evolving forward blueprint, with the club expecting him to compete immediately for significant minutes. Delap’s long-term role will depend on his recovery and ability to stay fit.

Vincent Kompany played down links with Manchester City after Bayern Munich chief tipped the Belgian coach to replace Pep Guardiola at Etihad Stadium in future. Kompany played under Guardiola at City for three seasons and is heavily influenced by the Spanish coach's style and philosophy. The 39-year-old joined the Bavarian club in the summer of 2024.

Kompany linked to Man City

In his maiden season in Munich, Kompany helped Bayern regain the Bundesliga title after they lost it to Bayer Leverkusen during the 2023-24 campaign. In the current season, Kompany oversaw a blistering start for the Bavarian side, who are currently enjoying a rich vein of form across all competitions. 

In the Bundesliga, they sit at the top of the table with 34 points from 12 matches, having won 11 and drawn one. Their most recent league outing saw them thrash Freiburg 6-2 at the Allianz Arena, with goals coming from Lennart Karl, a brace from Michael Olise, Dayot Upamecano, Harry Kane, and Nicolas Jackson. Their Champions League campaign has been equally impressive. They enjoyed a flawless record until their last fixture against Arsenal, where they lost 3-1 and suffered their first defeat of the season. 

Kompany has received praise from club president Uli Hoeness as the Bayern chief claimed that the Belgian would one day replace Guardiola at Etihad Stadium. Speaking at the recent ‘Power Days’ business event, Hoeness said: "Kompany learned a lot from Pep Guardiola. When [sporting director] Max Eberl suggested Kompany as the third or fourth option, Karl-Heinz [Rummenigge] and I called Pep Guardiola, with whom we are both very good friends, and asked him. Pep said, ‘You can take him blindly, he’s a fantastic coach, he’ll even take over Man City someday when I’m no longer there.'"

AdvertisementGetty Images SportTipped to replace Guardiola at Man City?

Speaking about the links to his former club and Hoeness' comment, Kompany said: "I've often said, I'm not here to comment on Uli Hoeness' statements. I have huge respect for him. But in football I can't think that far ahead, my focus is on Bayern and what we can achieve now. I like to just live in the world I have in front of me now, that takes up all my time. I have zero thoughts about other teams, I only see FC Bayern."

Kompany not bothered by recent drop in form

Bayern's sensational form has gone down a bit in the past couple of weeks as some key errors have been noticed in their matches of late. Against Freiburg, Bayern conceded two early goals before coming back from the setback to score six and pick up a thumping win in the end. Then came the 3-1 drubbing at the hands of Arsenal in the Champions League.

Kompany, however, is not too worried about the drop in form as he told reporters: "We started the season by scoring three goals in the first 20 minutes. It was to be expected that it would change. But falling behind is something we're working on, putting a greater focus on. I still think it's normal circumstances but if it starts to become a pattern, we'll have to work on breaking through that. But the last 20 games we've usually led 3-0 after 20 minutes, that's been the case much more often."

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Getty Images SportKompany wants to end Bayern's wait for DFB Pokal

After helping the club win back the Bundesliga title last season, Kompany now aims to win the DFB Pokal too, a trophy that Bayern have not won since 2020. Ahead of the club's  DFB Pokal round of 16 clash against Union Berlin on Wednesday, the Belgian coach said: "At the end of the season, we'd like to have this pressure again, even more. We want to put in a good performance and win – we're prepared for anything, for 90 minutes or another 30. It's positive pressure. You can always say you want to win everything — but it takes work and attitude. If we show tomorrow how hungry we are for the final, then we have a good chance."

Mitchell Starc has been included for the ODIs against India but Glenn Maxwell remains sidelined from the T20Is with his wrist injury

Andrew McGlashan07-Oct-20254:12

Was replacing Rohit as captain the right call?

Marnus Labuschagne has been dropped from Australia’s ODI squad to face India with his Queensland team-mate Matt Renshaw in line for a debut in the format.Labuschagne’s omission is not a huge surprise as he has a top score of 47 in his last ten ODI innings. He may not have featured against South Africa in August had Matt Short, who is included in this squad, not been ruled out with a side strain. A benefit of his omission is that he can continue to push for a Test recall in the Sheffield Shield, having started the season with 160 against Tasmania.Renshaw’s call-up comes off the back of an impressive run in List A cricket, which included a century for Australia A against Sri Lanka in Darwin during the winter. While he is currently opening in red-ball cricket – and could be an outside contender for the Ashes – he has flourished largely as a No. 3 and No. 4 in the 50-over game. Since November 2021, he has averaged 48.68 with six of his seven career centuries, and has also developed into a very effective middle-order T20 batter.He was previously included in an ODI squad to face Pakistan in 2022 but didn’t get a game.ESPNcricinfo LtdMitchell Starc, who hasn’t played ODIs since last November, has also been included in what is a full-strength squad from the players available. Alex Carey will miss the opening game of the series in Perth so he can play the second round of Sheffield Shield for South Australia, having missed the first match after his call-up to the T20I squad in New Zealand.Fellow wicketkeeper-batter Josh Inglis has recovered from the calf strain that kept him out of that series and is part of both the ODIs and T20Is. The initial squad for the T20Is is only for the first two games of the series with some management of multi-format players likely to happen for the final three games for those involved in the Ashes.Glenn Maxwell remains unavailable for the T20Is due to the broken wrist he suffered ahead of the New Zealand series.Cameron Green has been included for the ODIs but won’t feature in the T20Is as he prepares to face England, and will likely play more Shield games for Western Australia.Matt Renshaw has impressed in white-ball cricket over the last few seasons•Getty Images”We have named a squad for the ODI series and first two games of the T20 series as there will be some management through the back end of the series as individuals prepare for the summer through Sheffield Shield cricket,” chair of selectors George Bailey said. “The majority of the T20 squad will remain together as it’s an important period in the build towards the World Cup next year, however we are trying to strike a balance to ensure we simultaneously prepare certain individuals for the Test series ahead.”Allrounder Cooper Connolly, who took 5 for 22 against South Africa in Mackay, retained his place in the ODI squad. He has enjoyed a productive tour of India with Australia A, making two half-centuries in the three-match one-day series.Mitchell Owen also has a chance to make an ODI debut having been ruled out of the South Africa series after a concussion.Mitchell Starc will play his first ODIs in nearly a year•Getty ImagesNathan Ellis returned to the T20I squad after missing the New Zealand tour for the birth of his first child. There is no room for Sean Abbott in the ODI group but he has kept his T20 spot.The ODIs against India will take place in Perth (October 19), Adelaide (October 23) and Sydney (October 25). The first two T20Is are in Canberra (October 29) and Melbourne (October 31) before the final three matches in early November.Australia ODI squad vs IndiaMitchell Marsh (capt), Xavier Bartlett, Alex Carey (wk), Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Mitchell Owen, Matt Renshaw, Matthew Short, Mitchell Starc, Adam ZampaAustralia T20I squad vs India (first two matches) Mitchell Marsh (capt), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Tim David, Ben Dwarshuis, Nathan Ellis, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitchell Owen, Matthew Short, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

تحدث سيف الدين الجزيري مهاجم فريق الزمالك، عن الفوز أمام زيسكو يونايتد الزامبي، في بطولة الكونفدرالية. 

وكان الزمالك قد حقق الفوز على زيسكو الزامبي، بهدف دون رد، ضمن منافسات الجولة الأولى من دور المجموعات من بطولة الكونفدرالية. 

طالع.. فيديو | الجزيري يقود الزمالك لفوز صعب على زيسكو في افتتاح مشواره بدور مجموعات الكونفدرالية

وقال سيف الجزيري في تصريحات على قناة “بي إن سبورتس”: “انتصار مهم، الأداء لم يكن أفضل شيء، لكن أهم شيء هو الفوز، وبالنسبة للهدف، المهم أنا كمهاجم أمنح الفرصة لنفسي وأتحرك جيدًا والتوفيق من عند الله”.

وتابع: “ينقصنا الحركة للأمام، المنافس اليوم كان محترمًا ويقف جيدًا، استطعنا التسجيل، الأداء لم يكن الأفضل، لكن الأهم في البطولة أن نحقق الفوز”.

وعن صعوبة السفر إلى جنوب إفريقيا، أكد سيف الجزيري: “هذه طبيعة البطولة، نحن اعتدنا على ذلك، أهم شيء نعود بالفوز، وخطوة بخطوة سننتقل لمستوى أعلى”.

وواصل: “سعداء بالفوز ونسعى للفوز في جميع المباريات لعبور هذا الدور ومن ثم إلى الأدوار المقبلة والتتويج بلقب البطولة، أغلقنا هذه المباراة ونبدأ التركيز للمباراة المقبلة التي نسعى لتحقيق نتيجة إيجابية خلالها”.

Manchester United are keen to build a dynasty under Ruben Amorim and could now be set to up their pursuit of an exciting midfielder who could come in to bolster their ranks in 2026.

Man Utd aim to build consistency in Premier League

Last weekend’s victory over Liverpool had a transformational feel for supporters of the Red Devils for several reasons, though the biggest one may arguably be winning back-to-back matches for the first time since Amorim’s arrival.

Frustrating early-season performances and a lack of consistency have left many questioning Manchester United’s bottle in their quest to climb the Premier League table.

However, Devils’ Advocate podcast host Gaz Drinkwater believes his side could find themselves in the top six come the end of the season if the Red Devils can continue to tick off difficult fixtures.

He said via BBC Sport: “With the squad and with performances like that, we could be up there in the top six. Our squad is good enough to finish top six. It is. That should be the minimum requirement for this season.

“And if we’re in the top six and we’re looking comfortable and showing that we’re capable of never mind back-to-back wins in a row but three or four wins in a row, then who knows where we can finish.”

Looking ahead to 2026, transfer windows will offer a vehicle for Amorim to strengthen his squad, and Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher is being lined up by Manchester United as a potential replacement for Kobbie Mainoo if the latter is sold.

Athletic Club’s Oihan Sancet is another target for the Red Devils, illustrating that the engine room is a recruitment priority, and another name spoken about within the corridors of Old Trafford has now come to light.

Man Utd now keen on Chelsea star Andrey Santos

According to talkSPORT, Manchester United are keen on bringing Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos to Old Trafford if he becomes available in 2026. The Blues are reluctant to sell the 21-year-old, so it remains to be seen if the Red Devils’ lure can play a part in swaying him to swap London for Manchester.

The Brazil international, who thrived on loan at Strasbourg last season, was the subject of interest from Bayern Munich and Al-Qasdiah during the summer as a result of his form in Ligue 1, where manager Liam Rosenior claimed he was already “world class”.

It's not Mainoo: Man Utd may have found the new Pogba in "phenomenal" star

Manchester United already have another talent who is on a similar trajectory to Paul Pogba.

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By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 24, 2025

Known to idolise Casemiro and possessing an eerily similar playing style, Santos has registered one assist in nine appearances across all competitions this term and has shown himself to be a reliable ball-winner in the engine room, coming out on top in 15 duels this season, per Fotmob.

Gallagher, Stiller and Adam Wharton are also on Manchester United’s radar, though it will remain to be seen who they manage to land in their quest to build a midfield capable of helping Amorim challenge for major honours over the coming years at the English giants.

Brendan Doggett has been ruled out of Australia’s Test series against West Indies due to a hip injury with Sean Abbott called up as his replacement.Doggett, whose injury has been described as “minor”, was the traveling reserve for the World Test Championship final and was due to be part of the squad in the Caribbean but will now instead return to Australia.He ended the 2024-25 season with the spectacular match figures of 11 for 140 in the Sheffield Shield final for South Australia, during a summer where he climbed back up the national pecking order of pace bowlers, and may have pushed for a Test debut in West Indies.Related

• Australia's batting issues: questions surround Khawaja, Labuschagne, Konstas and Green

• Smith avoids surgery, faces race to be fit for West Indies Tests

• Khawaja has Ashes backing, but Labuschagne's spot uncertain

Abbott, like Doggett, is uncapped at Test level, was in Australia’s squad which toured Sri Lanka earlier this year and also during the India series at home. He is often considered one of the unluckier players yet to earn a cap.Australia will travel to Barbados in the middle of next week ahead of the first Test which begins on June 25, followed by matches in Grenada and Jamaica, the latter of which will be a day-night encounter.There is a chance Australia could alter the balance of their attack at stages during the series if conditions are conducive to turn with left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann a potential partner for Nathan Lyon alongside two quicks. Beau Webster’s presence in the side means they would still have an extra seamer if needed.”What are we going to get in the Caribbean? We haven’t been there since 2016, so there’s a little bit of the unknown, but we feel as though we’ve got a squad that can cover all bases,” head coach Andrew McDonald said.They will also need to assess the fitness of Steven Smith when they arrive following the compound dislocation he suffered on the third day at Lord’s which has left him doubtful for the opening Test. However, he avoided a break which would likely have required surgery and though he is required to wear a splint for eight weeks may be able to bat in it after around a fortnight.”It just split the skin and dislocated it, which made me feel pretty ill at that stage,” Smith told the ICC. “I think in a splint for eight weeks now and may be able to play with it in a couple of weeks, so it’ll depend on my functionality and what I’m able to do, but it’s probably the best result I could have hoped for.”

Duo share seven wickets as Lancashire collapse

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay18-Jun-2025Ryana MacDonald-Gay and Phoebe Franklin shared seven wickets to spark a Lancashire collapse and lead Surrey to a 53-run victory at the Oval – their seventh win in eight games.Franklin’s 3 for 19 and MacDonald-Gay’s 4 for 14 wrestled back control as the visitors crumbled from 102 for 3 to 118 all out chasing 172 for victory. Their heroics followed a 70-run stand between Emma Lamb, who scored 64 off 46 balls, and Ellie Threlkeld (32) which threatened to snatch an unlikely win for the Red Rose county.All this drama came after Grace Harris scored 57 from 31 and shared a fifth-wicket stand with Paige Schofield worth 69 to help the hosts recover from 17 for 3 to 171 for 9.For the second home game in a row, Surrey’s much-vaunted batting line-up was soon in trouble. Skipper Bryony Smith slapped the first ball for four, but was bowled by the second from Sophie Morris which skidded onto middle stump. Sophia Dunkley inside-edged a full toss onto off stump and confusion in running left Kira Chathli stranded.Danni Wyatt-Hodge, involved in the mix-up, was starved of strike and became fretful before dancing down the pitch to Morris to be stumped by Threlkeld to leave Surrey 50 for 4.Harris looked like she was batting on a different pitch, striking the ball powerfully down the ground before pulling a short one from Morris over deep-square for six as she marched to 50 in 28 balls.Scholfield struggled initially and was dropped in the deep by Eve Jones on 11. The reprieve loosened her shoulders – a huge six over midwicket the pick of her shots in the stand.However, England stars Kate Cross and Lamb removed both batters in quick succession and thereafter only a few late blows from Tash Farrant carried the hosts to what looked an under-par 171.An early missed stumping chance by Chathli off Tilly Corteen-Coleman which reprieved Lamb didn’t help the cause, but the unlucky bowler struck later in the same over trapping Eve Jones lbw.The slow left-armer returned to castle Seren Smale and when MacDonald-Gay found the edge of Fi Morris’s bat, Lancashire were 32 for 3 at the end of the powerplay.Lamb though, who also survived a close call for a run out, creamed one from Harris to the cover fence to signal she remained a threat, while Farrant just failed to hold onto a flashing drive from Threlkeld.Lamb and Threlkeld hoisted Corteen-Coleman over the ropes at midwicket and mid-off respectively, the former moving to 50 from 36 balls, before four boundaries in the next over from Alice Davidson-Richards suggested a momentum shift.Franklin struck back to have Threlkeld stumped to end their stand in a brilliant over which conceded only one and brilliant fielding by Franklin and MacDonald-Gay in the next over had the dangerous Ailsa Lister run out for nought.Lamb was then bowled by Macdonald-Gay, who in company with Franklin routed the tail.

كشف نادي الزمالك برئاسة حسين لبيب، عن المدير الفني البديل الذي سيقود تدريب فريق الكرة الأول خلال الأيام المقبلة، في الدوري الممتاز وبطولة السوبر المصري.

وكان نادي الزمالك قد أعلن منذ لحظات عن توجيه الشكر إلى يانيك فيريرا المدير الفني للفريق الأول لكرة القدم، عقب تراجع نتائج الفريق في الدوري الممتاز.

وتعادل الزمالك مع فريق البنك الأهلي، بهدف لكل فريق، ضمن مباريات الجولة الـ12 من بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

طالع.. عاجل ورسميًا – الزمالك يعلن رحيل يانيك فيريرا

ويحتل فريق الزمالك المركز الرابع في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري الممتاز برصيد 19 نقطة، حيث لعب المارد الأبيض 11 مباراة، فاز في 5 مباريات وتعادل في 4 مواجهات وتلقى الخسارة في مباراتين.

وأسند مجلس إدارة نادي الزمالك مهمة تدريب الفريق إلى أحمد عبد الرؤوف المدرب العام للفريق، خلفا لـ يانيك فيريرا.

وأكد الزمالك أن أحمد عبد الرؤوف سيقوم بتشكيل الجهاز الفني المعاون له، خاصة وأن الفريق مقبل خلال أيام على المشاركة في بطولة كأس السوبر المحلي المقرر لها في الإمارات، وسيتولى عبد الرؤوف قيادة الفريق بالبطولة.

ومن المقرر أن يلتقي الزمالك مع طلائع الجيش، غدا الأحد بالجولة الـ 13 ببطولة الدوري المصري، ثم يسافر إلى الإمارات لخوض منافسات بطولة السوبر المصري حيث يستهله بمواجهة بيراميدز في دور نصف النهائي يوم الخميس 6 نوفمبر.

أشاد أليخاندرو بالدي، نجم نادي برشلونة، بزميله في صفوف الفريق، وذلك عقب الانتصار العريض الذي حققه البلوجرانا أمس الثلاثاء على أولمبياكوس ببطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

برشلونة استطاع أن يستمر في صحوته وحقق انتصارًا كبيرًا على أولمبياكوس بستة أهداف مقابل هدف، ضمن الجولة الثالثة من مرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ووجه بالدي في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة موندو ديبورتيفو الإشادة إلى اللاعب الشاب درو فيرنانديز، والذي يعتبر من خريجي أكاديمية لاماسيا ولعب بشكل جيد أمس.

وعول مدرب برشلونة، هانز فليك، على خدمات درو في لقاء الأمس بشكل أساسي، في ظل كثرة الإصابات التي يعاني منها الفريق الكتالوني، حيث غاب عن مباراة أمس رافينها دياز، وروبرت ليفاندوفسكي، كما عاد فيران توريس من الإصابة لكن اللاعب بقى كبديل طوال اللقاء.

أقرأ أيضًا.. فيرمين لوبيز بعد هاتريك أولمبياكوس: نتطلع للكلاسيكو.. وحققت حلمي مع برشلونة

وقال بالدي: “أعتقد أننا لعبنا مباراة جيدة، حتى قبل البطاقة الحمراء كنا نؤدي بشكل جيد، الفوز مهم دائمًا فهو يمنحنا ثقة كبيرة، خاصًة إذا كانت النتيجة كبيرة بهذا الشكل، أنا سعيد جدًا بالفوز والنقاط الثلاث وخاصةً مع درو، فخور وسعيد به”.

كما حذر بالدي ريال مدريد، وذلك قبل الكلاسيكو المرتقب بين الفريقين يوم الأحد المقبل، في قمة الجولة العاشرة من بطولة الدوري الإسباني على ملعب سانتياجو برنابيو.

وتمنى بالدي أن يسحق برشلونة ريال مدريد مجددًا في ملعب البرنابيو، مثلما حدث الموسم الماضي والانتصار على الميرنجي 4-0.

واختتم بالدي: “أنا متحمس جدًا للكلاسيكو، إنها مباراة مميزة وآمل أن نفوز بها، آمل أن نسحق ريال مدريد مجددًا في البرنابيو، لكن الأهم هو من سيحصد النقاط الثلاث، أعتقد أن لدينا شعورًا جيدًا قبل الكلاسيكو لكن لا يهم أي فريق في أفضل حالاته وكل شيء وارد في هذه المباراة”.