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With the pressure growing on Arne Slot, Xabi Alonso has reportedly made his mind up on taking the Liverpool job if it becomes available at the same time that he potentially leaves Real Madrid.

For the first time in Slot’s Liverpool career, serious questions are being asked about his tenure. Last season’s Premier League title win has provided him with plenty of credit but, as Jamie Carragher pointed out on Monday Night Football, not everyone is still convinced that he’s still the man for the job.

After eight defeats in 11 games, the Dutchman simply has to turn things around. The Reds backed him by breaking their transfer record twice in the summer and spending over £400m, but are yet to see that investment pay off.

The most concerning aspect of Liverpool’s recent run is that nothing has changed. Slot has persisted with the same system, which only provided false dawns against Real Madrid and Aston Villa.

Now, with Alonso also under pressure at Madrid, Liverpool could be presented with a tempting opportunity to make a sensational change.

Xabi Alonso makes Liverpool decision

According to Football365, Alonso is now ready to take the Liverpool job if Real Madrid decide to sack him. The Spaniard has been put under increasing pressure by reports that Vinicius Junior has decided against signing a new deal whilst the manager is in charge.

As Real Madrid are forced to decide between their star man and their new manager, it’s Liverpool who could take full advantage.

For many, the big question has centred around who would replace Slot if Liverpool decided to sack the Dutchman. In Alonso, they’d have the perfect answer.

The Reds were interested in a reunion with the Spaniard before they hired Slot and could now get what they initially wanted over a year later.

Forget Leoni: 19-year-old academy star could end Konate's Liverpool career

Liverpool’s French centre-back has been abject in Slot’s system this season.

ByAngus Sinclair Nov 24, 2025

Although a lot of pieces will need to fall into place, there’s little doubt that Alonso would be welcomed with open arms at Anfield.

"I'm told" – Romano shares what Slot thinks about his own Liverpool future

It's spring training for everyone across baseball, including the censors.

The Cincinnati Reds had the bats going during their Cactus League game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, with Austin Hays leading the way in an 8–1 win. The 29-year-old outfielder, who totaled five home runs between the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies in 2024, went 3-for-3 with a pair of homers and six RBIs on the day.

His second big fly jumped off the bat, with a pop loud enough to make one fan sitting very close to a crowd microphone loudly exclaim something that doesn't usually make its way onto a family friendly broadcast.

Cincinnati fans hope that Hayes and the Reds can provide some more "oh s—" moments in the months to come.

Cincinnati finished a disappointing 77–85 in 2024, and hasn't made the playoffs since the abridged 2020 season. The Reds' last postseason trip in a full year was 2013, and they haven't won a playoff game since 2012 or series since 1995.

But that is the beauty of spring training—hope springs eternal for all 30 clubs.

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Botafogo e Cuiabá se enfrentaram neste domingo (29), no Estádio Nilton Santos, em jogo válido pela 30ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro. Jogando em casa, o Alvinegro teve amplo domínio da partida, mas não conseguiu transformar a superioridade em gols. Por outro lado, o time visitante não perdeu a chance que teve, estufou as redes do líder do torneio e garantiu uma vitória maiúscula fora de seus domínios.

CINCO PONTOS QUE MARCARAM A PARTIDA

> MILAGRE, WALTEEEER! Júnior Santos partiu para dentro da defesa adversária, e a bola sobrou para Eduardo, que finalizou na cara do gol, mas parou em Walter. No rebote, o camisa 33 sofreu falta na lateral da área e gerou nova chance para o Alvinegro.

> QUE ISSO, DEYVERSON? Isidro Pitta recebeu na esquerda, carregou para o centro do campo e finalizou de fora da área. A bola explodiu em Deyverson, que estava impedido e atrapalhou o companheiro

> GOL DO BOTAFOGO, MAS NÃO VALEU! Marçal cobrou na área, Tiquinho deu de cabeça para Júnior Santos. Ele cabeceou para Victor Cuesta, que estufou as redes de Walter, mas o lance estava impedido!

> GOL DO CUIABÁ! VALEU! Denilson fez o lançamento, Lucas Perri saiu mal e perdeu para Isidro Pitta. O atacante ganhou de Di Placido na corrida e entrou com bola e tudo no gol do Botafogo.

> QUASE, SEGOVINHA! O paraguaio fez jogada individual, chega à linha de fundo e cruza. Janderson cabeceia bem, mas a bola vai por cima do travessão

Como foi o primeiro tempo?

Os 45 minutos iniciais foram de amplo domínio do Botafogo. Os mandantes do confronto tinham a posse de bola e comandavam as ações da partida, criando um grande volume e boas chances. Aos 50 minutos, o Alvinegro abriu o placar com Victor Cuesta, mas a arbitragem assinalou impedimento, e o primeiro tempo terminou em 0 a 0. O destaque foi Júnior Santos, que não deu sossego para a defesa adversária.

E a etapa final?

O segundo tempo se iniciou com gol do Cuiabá, após falha de Lucas Perri. O goleiro do Botafogo errou a saída de bola e facilitou para Isidro Pitta, que abriu o placar no Niltão.

O que vem por aí?

O Botafogo volta a campo na quarta-feira, dia 01 de novembro, para enfrentar o Palmeiras, às 21h30 (horário de Brasília), novamente no Nilton Santos. O Cuiabá, por sua vez, volta a Arena Pantanal e encara o Vasco, na quinta-feira (2), às 17h (de Brasília).

BOTAFOGO 0 X 1 CUIABÁ – 30ª rodada do Campeonato Brasileiro

Data e hora: 29 de outubro de 2023, às 20h (horário de Brasília)
Local: Estádio Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro (RJ)
Árbitro: Wilton Pereira Sampaio (FIFA-GO)
Assistentes: Luanderson Lima dos Santos (FIFA-BA) e Leone Carvalho Rocha (GO)
VAR: Daniel Nobre Bins (FIFA-RS)
Cartões amarelos: Alan Empereur, Lucas Mineiro, Denilson, Walter António Oliveira (CUI)
Cartões vermelhos: Não houve
Público e renda: 30.659 pessoas/ R$ 1.031.390,00

Gol: Isidro Pitta, 6’/ 2ºT (0-1)

BOTAFOGO (Técnico: Lúcio Flávio)
Lucas Perri, Di Placido, Adryelson, Victor Cuesta, Marçal (Hugo/28′ do 2º t), Marlon Freitas (Gabriel Pires/42′ do 2º t), Tchê Tchê (Carlos Alberto/42′ do 2º t), Eduardo (Janderson/28′ do 2º t), Junior Santos, Luis Henrique (Segovinha/14′ do 2º t) e Tiquinho Soares

CUIABÁ (Técnico: António Oliveira)
Walter, Matheus Alexandre, Alan Empereur, Marllon, Rikelme (PK/36′ do 2º t), Raniele, Lucas Mineiro (Filipe Augusto/ 19′ do 2º t) , Denilson (Fernando Sobral/14′ do 2º t) Clayson (Jonathan Cafú/36′ do 2º t), Isidro Pitta (Wellington Silva/19′ do 2º t) e Deyverson

Alejandro Garnacho pulled out his trademark Manchester United celebration after scoring his maiden goal for Chelsea against Sunderland on Saturday. Garnacho, who joined the Blues on a permanent transfer from United in the last transfer window, took seven matches before scoring for the first time in a Chelsea shirt. Following the goal, the Argentine also emulated his idol Cristiano Ronaldo while celebrating.

• AFP
  

  Garnacho pulls out Man Utd celebration

  Garnacho featured in the Chelsea starting lineup for the third game in a row in the Premier League as he continued to adjust to the new conditions at Stamford Bridge. In the fourth minute of the match, Enzo Fernandez won the ball in his own half and fed Pedro Neto with a quick pass. Neto then sent a through ball towards Garnacho from the centre circle as the Argentine winger made a run from the left flank. 

  The youngster received the ball and made a run straight into the Sunderland box, before dodging past an opponent defender and finding the back of the net with a quality strike from a narrow angle. After scoring the goal, Garnacho, along with Neto, sat on the billboards to celebrate. He had earlier performed such a celebration in 2024, while at United, where Kobbie Mainoo and Rasmus Hojlund joined him on the advertising board. 

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• Getty
  

  Garnacho emulated Ronaldo

  Before approaching the sideline and sitting on the advertising board, Garnacho had pointed towards the ground to celebrate his maiden Chelsea goal. Football fans have seen such a celebration performed by legendary Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo on numerous occasions in the past. Garnacho has been a lifelong fan of Ronaldo and he has often gone public to show his admiration of the Al-Nassr star. He even shared a dressing room with Ronaldo briefly in the 2022-23 campaign at Old Trafford. 

• Why did Garnacho leave Man Utd?

  After being put in Ruben Amorim's 'bomb squad' in the summer, Garnacho was determined to exit Old Trafford for a new experience elsewhere. He had a fallout with coach Amorim last season, which eventually cleared his way out of the club. The Blues signed him for £40m ($54m) from the Red Devils in the summer, but until Saturday, Garnacho had failed to live up to the expectations.

  Following his departure from Manchester, Garnacho recently opened up about his journey with United, as he told TNT Sports: "I’ve got nothing bad to say about my old club Manchester United, just bad moments in life. I’m very happy to be here now, play in this competition and get three points today.

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• AFP
  

  Chelsea aim for three points

  Garnacho did hand Chelsea an early lead but they blew off the advantage within 18 minutes as Wilson Isidor restored parity in the match. Maresca will now have to rethink his tactics and take a more attacking approach in the second half to walk away with crucial three points. 

  After the Sunderland clash at home, the Blues are scheduled to take on Wolves in a Carabao Cup encounter on Wednesday before meeting Tottenham Hotspur in a key Premier League fixture on November 1.

They might be in the relegation zone and have a single win from their last five Premier League games, but the future could be bright for West Ham United.

Granted, things off the pitch and the relationship between the ownership and fans are in a dire state, but with Nuno Espírito Santo now in the dugout, there is a feeling that he could steer the side to a respectable finish this season.

Moreover, while they have not performed well enough, there is real talent in this squad, with summer signing Soungoutou Magassa being someone who could explode with the right coaching.

On top of that, there are several truly exciting players in the academy, including one who could be unreal with the Frenchman and has been compared to former Hammer Mohamed Diamé.

Why West Ham signed Magassa

In late August, West Ham completed the £17.3m signing of Magassa, and while it was undoubtedly done with the intention of him making an impact this season, it also feels like a move that could help make the midfield so much better in the long term.

The simple reason for this is that the incredible Frenchman is brilliant when it comes to the defensive and offensive side of the game – he is someone who can shield the backline, but also spring attacks for his side.

For example, the respected analyst Ben Mattinson has claimed that the Stains-born gem has an immense ability to “spray passes wide out to the wings” but that he’s also got very “high potential” for playing as a six “due to how he reads the game and his pure athleticism.”

Likewise, U23 scout Antonio Mango has highlighted how “strong in both offensive and defensive duels” the youngster is.

This ability to excel in both parts of the game is unsurprisingly represented in his underlying numbers.

Magassa’s Scout Report

Statistics

Per 90

Percentile

Dribbles Challenged

3.59

Top 1%

Dribblers Tackled

1.80

Top 2%

Blocks

2.07

Top 2%

Ball Recoveries

6.98

Top 3%

Passes Blocked

1.52

Top 4%

Tkl+Int

4.84

Top 4%

Tackles

3.25

Top 6%

Interceptions

1.59

Top 7%

Switches

0.76

Top 8%

Tackles (Def 3rd)

1.38

Top 8%

Through Balls

0.41

Top 11%

Tackles (Att 3rd)

0.48

Top 11%

Shots Blocked

0.55

Top 12%

Tackles (Mid 3rd)

1.38

Top 14%

Touches (Def 3rd)

17.28

Top 14%

Touches (Def Pen)

3.59

Top 15%

Successful Take-On %

61.9%

Top 15%

Goals/Shot

0.13

Top 17%

All Stats via FBref

According to FBref, he ranks in the top 2% of midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues for dribblers tackled and blocks, the top 3% for ball recoveries, the top 8% for switches, the top 11% for through balls and more, all per 90.

In short, Magassa is an excellent prospect, and in more good news, West Ham could have another gem who’d be brilliant alongside him, someone who has been compared to Diame.

West Ham's ideal teammate for Magassa

There are several exciting prospects currently plying their trade in West Ham’s academy, from Josh Landers to Preston Fearon.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

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However, only one youngster has been compared to former Hammer Diame, which is Mohamadou Kanté.

The promising Frenchman joined the club from Paris FC last summer, but remained in the French capital for the season, where he made eight appearances in what turned out to be a promotion-winning campaign.

Described as having “good anticipation” and being “very calm and composed on the ball” by one analyst, another has been bolder, claiming he “moves like Mo Diame.”

The argument behind such a comparison is that, like the retired midfielder, the youngster has “long-ranging legs that eat up ground & extend to win the ball off the toes of the opposition.”

However, he’s more than just a tenacious ball-winner, with the same analyst highlighting his “nibble feet & intelligent, composed passing.”

It’s the combination of all these traits that have seen him rack up an impressive tally of two goals and two assists in just eight appearances for the U21s so far this season.

Moreover, as he’s comfortable playing in central and defensive midfield, he could end up being a brilliant partner for Magassa, with one driving forward and the other sitting back to help the defence.

Ultimately, it’s still early in his West Ham career, but Kante looks to be a real star in the making.

Related West Ham hope of signing "special" striker amid Nuno's damning Fullkrug update

Nuno’s fears around the German have been realised.

Posts ByEmilio Galantini Oct 17, 2025

U.S. international Haji Wright is back with the national team after being left out of the September squad, thanks to his strong recent form. The Coventry City forward sits among the Championship’s top scorers with eight goals. Yet U.S. icon Alexi Lalas cautions that club form – especially in England’s second tier – doesn’t always translate to international success.

• Getty Images Sport
  

  Difficult to read Championship performances

  The FOX Sports analyst pointed to Josh Sargent as an example. Sargent started the season strongly with Norwich, being named the Championship's Player of the Month in August, but that form didn't translate to the national team as he struggled in his start against South Korea in September.

  “We saw what happened with Josh Sargent," Lalas said on his State of the Union podcast. "Now, Josh Sargent's on the outs when it comes to the national team, and he's struggling when it comes to the Championship with where Norwich is. So that's not a good thing for club or country when it comes to Josh Sargent. 

  "I’ve said for years and years, form is fallacy. It often is. Not always, but for the most part, it is."

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Best options available?

  Yet, with the U.S. looking for a backup striker to Folarin Balogun as Ricardo Pepi is dealing with injury issues, the former U.S. defender believes Wright will get a fair shot to prove his value.

  "He will continue to at least get a look," Lalas said. "This is a wonderful vein of form that he's in."

  Lalas expects Pochettino to keep looking to England’s second division for striker options, given the lack of depth elsewhere. He pointed to Derby Country's Patrick Agyemang as another example.

  “It is still soccer that is being played in Europe. And therefore, that glaze can form over people's eyes and distort the actual quality of the player. But you know what, beggars can't be choosers here," Lalas said.

• Striker competition continues

  While several American forwards – including Wright, Sargent,  Pepi, and Balogun – have impressed at club level, none has firmly claimed their national team role. Balogun showed promise at the Copa América and again against Japan in September, while Pepi has flashed when healthy, scoring 13 goals in 33 caps.

  Agyemang has five goals in 12 appearances. Meanwhile, Wright and Sargent have combined for 10 goals in 46 appearances.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  October matches ahead

  As the USMNT prepare for their October fixtures against Ecuador and Australia, manager Mauricio Pochettino will have another opportunity to evaluate Balogun, Wright, and Agyemang in those two matches.

Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal has been told – in an exclusive interview carried out by GOAL – that he would have “no chance” of winning the Ballon d’Or at Liverpool, as Chelsea playmaker Cole Palmer is offered advice on how he could push himself into contention for the most prestigious of individual honours. Those words have been delivered by Blues legend Gus Poyet, who continues to keep a close eye on European football.

• Getty
  

  Best in the world: Dembele lands Golden Ball in 2025

  In 2025, the title of best player on the planet has gone to Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembele. The France international now forms part of an exclusive club – alongside the likes of Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho – when it comes to players that have won the Ballon d’Or, World Cup and Champions League. His exploits when helping PSG to three major honours last season helped him to secure Golden Ball recognition.

  Competition from Yamal was fended off when landing that prize, with the teenage wonderkid enjoying a meteoric rise. At 18 years of age, he is already considered to form part of the global elite – with it seemingly only a matter of time before he emulates fellow La Masia academy graduate Messi by winning the first of many Ballons d’Or.

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• Does Palmer need transfer to compete for Ballon d'Or?

  Palmer will also be hoping to challenge for upcoming awards, with his creativity being put to good use by Chelsea and England. He finished eighth in the 2025 Ballon d’Or vote despite enduring a slight dip in the 2024-25 campaign – with his goal output dropping from 25 to 18. He is now tied to a contract at Stamford Bridge through to 2033.

  The 23-year-old has, however, been informed that a future switch to a team such as Barcelona or Real Madrid would make it easier for him to win the Ballon d’Or. Quizzed on whether that is the case, ex-Blues star Poyet – speaking in association – told GOAL: “100 per cent, no doubt. For me, [Jude] Bellingham when I saw him at Dortmund, I liked him a lot. Then his first season at Real Madrid, I love him. Why? Because he was at Real Madrid doing what he was doing, simple. And I thought, maybe he is the Ballon d’Or. It was a big opportunity because he was amazing his first season in Spain – he was tremendous, another dimension, another level, and that helps.

  “Would Lamine Yamal win the Ballon d’Or if he was playing at another team, Liverpool? No chance. I would say that I don’t like the Ballon d’Or nominations and I don’t like the vote, I think they are not fair. The people in Spain vote for the ones that play in La Liga, the people in England vote for those in England. The countries that don’t have anyone nominated, such as Uruguay, maybe they vote for the real one, the one that you think is the best. I don’t think it’s right, but it’s a great party for the players and it’s great to have one of them.”

• Getty
  

  Top 10: Palmer now in elite company

  Another former Chelsea star, Joe Cole, has told of Palmer’s claims to a Golden Ball after breaking into the top 10 of that poll: “He is there, he is in that elite level of players, so I am happy for him that he got that. These individual awards are wonderful; man of the matches, player of tournaments, they are great – they are not the be all and end all. They are nice and it is really nice for Cole Palmer that he is recognised, and I think it will give him a little boost.”

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• Injury blow: How long will Palmer be out for?

  Palmer has been nursing an injury of late, with physical issues forcing him out of Chelsea’s Premier League defeat at Manchester United on September 20. He has made just four appearances across all competitions this season, scoring two goals, with Enzo Maresca desperate to get his talismanic No.10 back.

  The Blues cannot afford to take any risks, though, on a player that is so important to the collective cause in west London. It is already being suggested that a groin complaint could keep him out for the remainder of the calendar year.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Thomas Frank identified a “superstar” as a priority target after Randal Kolo-Muani, with a late approach being made on deadline day.

Spurs tried to sign another forward after Kolo-Muani

In one of the surprise moves of deadline day, Spurs got Kolo-Muani through the door, with the Frenchman joining on a straight loan deal from Paris Saint-Germain.

Frank has since explained why he decided to bring in the PSG forward, who has predominantly featured at striker throughout his career to date, rather than signing a new winger.

The Tottenham manager said: “He’s a good age, in the prime of his career, has good qualities that will suit both us and the Premier League,”

“He gives us a different option in the final third, being able to play out wide and through the middle. Randal is a quality player who has proven himself over a number of years, playing for big teams in the Champions League and also with good experience for the France national team.”

However, while Frank was clearly delighted to get Kolo-Muani through the door, the Dane identified another forward as a priority target in the final hours of the transfer window.

That is according to a report from GiveMeSport, which states the manager was eyeing Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman as his top target, but Tottenham were ultimately unable to come to an agreement with the Italian club.

It is revealed that Spurs wanted to sign Lookman on a straight loan, rather than forking out the £43m it would’ve taken to get a deal over the line, meaning they have now missed out on his signature.

With the forward’s proposed move to Bayern Munich also falling through, he could be set to remain at Atalanta until January, at which point the Lilywhites may have the opportunity to make another approach, given that he is well-known to have fallen out with his club.

"Superstar" Lookman could've been quality signing for Spurs

Tottenham were clearly reluctant to splash the cash on deadline day, having also signed Kolo Muani on a straight loan deal, which includes no option or obligation to buy, and they may have missed out on a top player.

Sold for £6.7m: Spurs must regret selling star who's outscoring Kolo Muani

After Tottenham signed Randal Kolo Muani on deadline day for a €5m loan fee, should Spurs regret selling a striker who has outscored the Frenchman?

1 ByBen Gray Sep 2, 2025

Lauded as a “superstar” by 90min’s Sean Walsh, the 27-year-old has taken his career to new heights since arriving in the Serie A, picking up a very impressive 52 goals and 25 assists in 118 appearances for the Italian club.

As such, the Nigeria international may now be ready to test himself in the Premier League once again, despite not setting the world alight during previous stints with Fulham, Leicester City and Everton.

Lookman in England

Appearances

Goals

Everton

48

4

Fulham

35

4

Leicester City

42

8

Wayne Rooney has revealed how bitter a rivalry led him to lock wife Coleen out of the house after he fell victim to a brutal prank at his family home. Wayne Rooney grew up supporting Everton and spent 13 glorious years at Manchester United, while his wife Coleen is known to be a supporter of Liverpool and has always been vocal about her support for the Reds.

Rooney welcomed with Liverpool flags

Rooney recalled the incident from five years ago when Liverpool finally ended their wait and won the Premier League under Jurgen Klopp's tutelage in 2020. Rooney was managing Derby County at that time. Following the Reds' triumph, one day when Rooney returned to his family home, he was shocked to see Liverpool flags all around his home, a prank that Coleen pulled on her husband.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportRooney "locked" Coleen out

On podcast, the United legend narrated the entire incident, as he said: "When Liverpool won the Premier League a few years ago, I came home, I was at Derby at the time, and Coleen's got Liverpool flags up outside the house. 

"It was our old house, so outside the front door there's a little balcony thing and the flag was outside the window there, so I told her to go and get it down. She went up and you had to actually climb out the window to get it down, so she went up and I locked her out."

Rooney, however, did not drag the prank for too long and he soon allowed Coleen back in the house. 

Rooney's lavish 40th birthday celebration

Coleen is planning a lavish celebration to mark her husband's 40th birthday on October 24, where she wants her fellow WAGs Victoria Beckham, Abbey Clancy, Toni Terry and Alex Gerrard to attend.

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Getty Images SportMerseyside derby to kick off gameweek five

Gameweek five of the Premier League will kick off on Saturday with Merseyside rivals Liverpool and Everton locking horns in a derby clash at Anfield.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras goleou o Goiás por 5 a 0, neste domingo, em Goiânia e assumiu a vice-liderança do Brasileirão. Com direito a quebra de jejum de Dudu e do reencontro de Endrick com a rede, o Verdão aproveitou as superioridades técnica, númerica e no placar para dominar a partida e sair da casa do adversário com três pontos na bagagem. Artur, Sidimar (contra) e Raphael Veiga completar o o marcador na Serrinha.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasCom a janela fechada, Palmeiras deve ter ‘reforço’ do sub-20 para substituir MuriloPalmeiras07/05/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Verdão domina as ações e abre o placar com lance típico

Apesar de o Goiás ter sido o mandante da partida, quem tomou as iniciativas foi o Palmeiras, que durante os primeiros minutos controlou a posse de bola e não teve pressa para definir as jogadas. Não demorou muito para, em cobrança de escanteio, Raphel Veiga cruza na cabeça de Zé Rafael, que desviou para trás e encontrou Artur, que só teve o trabalho de cabecear para abrir o placar na Serrinha. O Esmeraldino buscou um sufoco logo em seguida para tentar o empate, mas esbarrou na defesa adversária, que afastou os perigos.

Palmeiras diminui o ritmo, e Goiás explora deficiências, mas vai para o intervalo com um a menos

Sem necessidade de “tirar o pé”, o Verdão aproveitou a vantagem no placar para administrar a partida ainda no primeiro tempo. Enquanto isso, o Esmeraldino explorava o lado direito da defesa palmeirense, que se salvava pela consistência de todo o sistema. Nos contra-ataque, a equipe de Abel Ferreira tomava decisões erradas, mas em um deles Rony sairia cara a cara com o goleiro e foi parado com falta dura de Lucas Halter. O VAR solicitou a análise do árbitro de campo, que decidiu expulsar o zagueiro. Na cobrança de falta, Veiga quase fez um golaço, mas Rangel fez milagre.

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Verdão volta do intervalo e amplia o placar

Não demorou muito para o Palmeiras conseguir seu segundo gol. Em jogada pelo lado esquerdo, Piquerez tentou cruzar para a área e Sidimar acabou desviando para a própria meta, cedendo o tento para o adversário. Com um a mais e a vantagem no placar, o Verdão deu alguns vacilos defensivos desnecessários, mas seguia com chances de buscar mais gols. Dudu, por exemplo, teve duas boas oportunidades, mas não conseguia encerrar seu jejum em 2023. Nesse meio tempo, Abel Ferreira começou a mexer no time e poupar algumas peças.

Palmeiras controla o jogo e passa a ser mais assertivo para golear

Com as mudanças e o placar praticamente definido, o Verdão parecia apenas refinar a conclusão de suas jogadas para fazer mais gols. E foi isso que aconteceu na reta final. Primeiro Veiga aproveitou saída errada de bola do Esmeraldino para fazer o terceiro gol. Depois foi a vez de Piquerez, de novo, cruzar para a área e achar Endrick, que de cabeça colocou para dentro. Eram três partidas que o garoto não entrava em campo. Ainda teve tempo para Dudu quebrar seu jejum. Piquerez, novamente, cruzou para a área e o camisa 7 completou para o gol. 5 a 0 e fecha a conta.

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E agora?

Com a vitória, o Palmeiras vai a dez pontos no Brasileirão e atinge a segunda posição na tabela, atrás apenas do Botafogo, que tem 12 pontos. Enquanto isso, o Goiás fica com apenas três pontos e ocupa a 18ª posição na classificação, ou seja, no Z4 da competição. Na próxima rodada, o Alviverde paulista recebe o Grêmio, na quarta-feira, no Allianz Parque, às 21h30. Já o Esmeraldino vai até o Maracanã pegar o Flamengo, às 20h.

FICHA TÉCNICA
GOIÁS 0 x 5 PALMEIRAS
Local: Hailé Pinheiro, em Goiânia (GO)
Data-Hora: 7/5/2023 – 18h30 (de Brasília)
Árbitro: Wagner do Nascimento Magalhães (Fifa/RJ)
Assistentes: Kleber Lucio Gil (SC) e Thiago Henrique Neto Correa Farinha (RJ)
VAR: Rodrigo D’Alonso Ferreira (SC)
Público: Não disponíveis
Cartões amarelos: Dieguinho, Bruno Melo (GOI) Endrick, Zé Rafael, Gustavo Gómez, Piquerez, Raphael Veiga e Mayke (PAL)
Cartões vermelhos: Lucas Halter, aos 40’/1ºT (GOI)
Gols: Artur (9’/1ºT) (0-1), Sidimar (contra) (2’/2ºT) (0-2), Raphael Veiga (32’/2ºT) (0-3), Endrick (37’/2ºT) (0-4), Dudu (44’/2ºT) (0-5)

GOIÁS: Marcelo Rangel; Guilherme Marques, Lucas Halter, Bruno Melo e Sander; Zé Ricardo (Alesson, aos 35’/2ºT), Morelli, Dieguinho e Palacios (Dodô, aos 35’/2ºT); Vinícius (Diego Gonçalves, aos 13’/2ºT) e Matheus Peixoto (Apodi, aos 13’/2ºT). Técnico: Émerson Ávila.

PALMEIRAS: Weverton; Mayke (Garcia, aos 20’/2ºT), Gustavo Gómez, Luan e Piquerez; Zé Rafael (Fabinho, aos 25’/2ºT), Gabriel Menino (Richard Ríos, aos 20’/2ºT) e Raphael Veiga (Jhon Jhon, aos 33’/2ºT); Artur, Dudu e Rony (Endrick, aos 20’/2ºT). Técnico: Abel Ferreira.

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