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Julian Nagelsmann revealed that he did not shout at his players after a lacklustre first-half performance against Luxembourg, as the manager claimed that the squad could not have handled being attacked at that point. Germany eventually clinched the tie 2-0 thanks to a brace from Newcastle forward Nick Woltemade as they continued to remain favourites to seal a direct World Cup berth from Group A.

Germany edged out Luxembourg

Four-time world champions Germany survived an unsettling evening on Friday as Nick Woltemade's brace proved decisive in a match that will raise far more questions than it answers for Nagelsmann. A 2-0 win over minnows Luxembourg was ultimately enough to keep the Germans on track in their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup, but the performance itself was scattered, lethargic and lacked cohesion, particularly in the first half.

With the three points, Germany head into the final group game as favourites to book their tickets to North America next year. They are currently tied on 12 points with Slovakia, which means that Nagelsmann's side will directly qualify for the flagship competition with a win or a draw.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportNagelsmann reveals half-time team talk

Nagelsmann was asked how, after such a shaky and goalless first-half, he knew what to say to bring out the best of his players in the second period. 

Speaking to reporters, the Germany head coach said: "I asked myself the same question at the end of the first half, how I should dribble up there. In the end, I do get the feeling that the team can't handle it when you go at it really hard. Honestly, we all want to be successful together. I've already engaged the players and simply demonstrated some things again, staying focused on the content. I also announced beforehand that I wouldn't raise my voice. We implemented the game better in the second half, focusing on winning through our tactics."

Nagelsmann added: "Luxembourg caused us a lot of problems, especially in the first 30 minutes. It was more difficult than you sometimes hope for. We're under pressure in the group. In the end, we have to win the games. First and foremost, we need to win games; that's crucial because it builds self-belief. We simply have to win the game on Monday, and then we can discuss everything else."

Nagelsmann spoke highly of Sane

Leroy Sane contributed with the assist for Woltemade's opening goal at the start of the second half, before setting up a perfect pass for Ridle Baku, who, in turn, fed the Newcastle star for his second goal. 

Praising Sane's performance after the match, Germany coach said: "He had two good actions that led to two goals. He had a few moments in the first half. He played a good game, had two decisive actions, and that's what it's all about in the end." 

Sane, on the other hand, told the media: "I'm happy that I was able to repay Julian's trust to some extent. We had very good talks. Julian knows how I tick. That's normal, that's football, it's part of the game. I can't complain, I can only do my own thing. The World Cup is my big goal."

Before the game the 38-year-old head coach had issued a warning to the winger as he said: "If we had six or seven players to choose from in that position, then it would be significantly more difficult for him. He knows that there aren't an unlimited number of opportunities to prove himself at the national team level. I told him that openly. Profile-wise, he has everything we need in that position. That's why he has this opportunity now. His scoring rate and performances have improved significantly compared to the beginning, both in the Super Lig and in the Champions League. But he still has steps to take to improve even further – both here and at the club."

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Getty Images SportDo-or-die game for Germany

Germany stars need to work on their shortcomings in the next couple of days as there will be no scope for mistakes in their final group game against Slovakia on November 17. It's a must-win game for European giants to book their direct berth in the World Cup next year, although a draw will also suffice. 

حسم مسؤولو نادي نهضة بركان المغربي موقفهم من بيع لاعب الفريق إلى الأهلي المصري، بعد اهتمام الأخير بضمه الفترة المقبلة.

وأكد مصدر بنادي نهضة بركان لـ”بطولات”، أن هناك اهتمامًا من العديد من الأندية الخليجية والإفريقية بأسامة المليوي مهاجم الفريق ومن بين هذه الأندية الأهلي.

ويسعى الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي للتعاقد مع مهاجم مميز، في ظل رحيل وسام أبو علي، وتراجع مستوى محمد شريف ونيتس جراديشار.

طالع.. خاص | موعد مباراة الأهلي والجيش الملكي في دوري أبطال إفريقيا

وتابع: “نهضة بركان موقفه محسوم وهو رفض التخلي عن أسامة المليوي لإن هدفنا التتويج بدوري أبطال إفريقيا هذا الموسم”.

وكان فريق نهضة بركان المغربي تأهل إلى دور المجموعات من بطولة دوري أبطال إفريقيا، بعد الفوز على الأهلي الليبي.

ويقع نهضة بركان في المجموعة الأولى، بدوري أبطال إفريقيا مع بيراميدز، وريفرز يونايتد النيجيري، وباور ديناموز من زامبيا.

Aston Villa’s start to the Premier League season has been anything but smooth.

Off-the-field uncertainty dominated their summer, and the hangover has been felt on the pitch.

The club only recorded their first league win of the season against Fulham on Sunday, lifting them out of the bottom three and into 16th place.

Their negative goal difference reflects a side still finding its rhythm, and the early results suggest that pressure is quickly building on Unai Emery’s squad.

The turbulence began with financial concerns. Villa’s transfer activity was clouded by PSR restrictions, which made it unclear whether they could reinforce without significant sales.

Star goalkeeper Emi Martínez came close to leaving for Manchester United, while Ollie Watkins also attracted interest from other top-flight clubs.

Somehow, Villa kept hold of both – as well as their brightest talent, Morgan Rogers – but the distractions were evident.

Rogers himself did little to dampen speculation, hinting in one interview that a move could be on the horizon.

Late in the window, Villa scrambled to bring in reinforcements, completing deals for Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho on deadline day.

It was a clear attempt to steady the ship and add creativity ahead of a campaign that will also see them compete in the Europa League.

A sixth-place finish last season raised expectations, but early form suggests off-field issues have seeped into the squad’s performances.

Why Morgan Rogers is synonymous with the malaise

No player better symbolises Villa’s current struggles than Rogers.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder enjoyed a breakthrough last season, making 54 appearances across all competitions, including 37 in the Premier League, where he produced eight goals and 11 assists.

That form subseuqently saw him win the PFA Premier League Young Player of the Year award.

His European contribution was also vital: four goals and three assists helped Villa reach the Champions League quarter-finals.

That productivity feels like a distant memory this term. Rogers has looked short on confidence and, crucially, short on decisiveness in possession.

In the defeat to Bologna, he played the full 90 minutes but registered 50 touches, completed just ten of 24 passes, and failed to record a shot on target. He attempted two dribbles and succeeded with neither, while losing possession a staggering 29 times.

For a player once celebrated for his dynamism and flair, those numbers are the starkest evidence yet of his current malaise.

The sense among supporters is that Rogers has become too predictable. Opponents now know his threat and actively look to smother him.

Some Villa fans have called for him to be dropped, suggesting that a spell out of the spotlight might help him rediscover his spark.

His recent form for England, where he registered an assist against Serbia, shows the talent is still there, but he has not been able to translate that into club form.

Aston Villa's Rogers replacement waiting in the wings

Waiting in the wings is Jadon Sancho.

The 25-year-old winger arrived on loan from Manchester United on deadline day, carrying a market value of around £25m.

This is a long way from the £125m peak valuation that this “crazy talent” – in the words of scout Jacek Kulig – held in 2020.

Jadon Sancho – 2020/21
Matches Played	26
Goals	8
Assists	11
Progressive Carries	114
Progressive Passes	178
Source: FBref

His fall from grace has been steep.

At Chelsea last season, his loan spell ended so unconvincingly that the club even paid United to release them from the obligation to make the move permanent.

Now at Villa Park, Sancho has featured three times, though he was an unused substitute in the win against Fulham.

This loan could represent the last chance for him in English football.

He will hope to reignite his career under Emery, with the Europa League providing additional opportunities for minutes and form.

His past record shows what he is capable of: a £73m transfer to Manchester United in 2021 was fuelled by dazzling performances at Borussia Dortmund, where his creativity and ball-carrying made him one of Europe’s hottest properties.

Internationally, Sancho still harbours ambitions of returning to the England setup, having already been capped 23 times.

With Thomas Tuchel putting together his squad for the World Cup, a run of form at Villa could put him back in contention.

More immediately, his arrival puts direct pressure on Rogers. If Emery decides to rotate, Sancho could step straight into the starting XI, offering pace, invention, and – if he can recapture even some of his Dortmund-era form – a cutting edge Villa desperately lack.

For now, Emery has been cautious, perhaps waiting for Sancho to fully adjust.

But the contrast between Rogers’ wastefulness and Sancho’s potential upside is difficult to ignore.

In many ways, Sancho embodies Villa’s gamble: if he thrives, he could spark their attack into life; if he fails, it could be another symbol of a club whose questionable off-field decisions continue to cloud their season.

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Celtic lost another star player during the summer transfer window when they sold electric forward Nicolas Kuhn to Serie A side Como for a fee of £16.5m.

The German attacker ended the 2024/25 campaign with a return of 21 goals and 15 assists in 51 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish Premiership champions, per Transfermarkt.

Kuhn provided a huge threat at the top end of the pitch down the right flank because he had the quality to cause the opposition problems as both a scorer and a creator of goals, domestically and in Europe.

The Hoops did not sign a natural right winger to replace the German, though, and Hyun-jun Yang and James Forrest have combined for no goals or assists in nine combined appearances in the Premiership this season, per WhoScored.

This suggests that Celtic are struggling on the right wing because they did not go out into the market to sign a like-for-like replacement for the left-footed attacker.

Another player the Hoops have yet to fully replace since they sold him for big money is attacking midfielder Matt O’Riley, who joined Brighton & Hove for a fee of more than £25m last year.

Why Matt O'Riley was so valuable for Celtic

The Scottish giants raked in a club-record fee of £25m from the Premier League side when they decided to cash in on the Denmark international. This was because of the value that he provided on the pitch for the Bhoys in the 2023/24 campaign.

Brendan Rodgers arrived at Parkhead in the summer of 2023 to replace Ange Postecoglou in the dugout in Glasgow, and he was key to O’Riley’s impressive progression on the pitch.

The left-footed midfielder scored three goals and provided 12 assists in the Premiership in the 2022/23 campaign under the Australian head coach, which was an impressive return given his creative output.

Rodgers, though, elevated O’Riley to the next level at Parkhead by freeing him up to take on more responsibility as a goalscorer, putting him further up the pitch to break into the box by joining attacks.

Appearances

38

37

Shots on target per game

0.7

1.2

Goals

3

18

Goals per game

0.1

0.5

Big chances created

16

14

Assists

12

13

Assists per game

0.3

0.4

As you can see in the table above, the English-born playmaker scored 15 more goals under Rodgers than he did under Postecoglou in the previous Premiership season.

Per WhoScored, O’Riley led the team in both goals (18) and assists (13) in the Premiership in that season under the Northern Irish head coach, which is why he was so valuable to the squad, as both a scorer and a creator of goals.

These statistics and his importance to Celtic convinced Brighton to splash a fee of more than £25m on him in the summer of 2024, and the Scottish giants are still looking for their next version of the Dane.

Benjamin Nygren has shown flashes of promise in a central midfield role, with three goals and one assist this season, and Arne Engels delivered nine assists in the Premiership and the Champions League combined last season, per Sofascore.

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However, Celtic may have their next Matt O’Riley in the making in the form of a player who has been rarely used by Rodgers, so much so that he has played fewer minutes than both Nygren and Engels.

Portugal U21 international Paulo Bernardo has not had too many opportunities to impress in the middle of the park, but has shown potential to develop into an impressive player in the future.

Why Paulo Bernardo could be the next Matt O'Riley for Celtic

Signed on a permanent deal from Benfica in the summer of 2024 after a loan spell in the 2023/24 campaign, the central midfielder has fallen down the pecking order at the start of this season.

Luke McCowan, Callum McGregor, Benjamin Nygren, Arne Engels, and Reo Hatate have all played more minutes than Bernardo in the Premiership, per WhoScored, which shows that the manager rates other players ahead of him in his position at this moment in time.

The Portuguese star has only played 74 minutes in the league. This comes after he started 13 of his 28 outings in the division in the 2024/25 campaign, and showed plenty of signs of real quality at the top end of the pitch.

xG

0.22

Top 7%

xG on target

0.23

Top 8%

Goals

0.14

Top 20%

xA

0.21

Top 11%

Assists

0.21

Top 13%

Chances created

2.20

Top 9%

As you can see in the table above, Bernardo excelled against his positional peers per 90 in a host of key offensive metrics, in both scoring and creating goals.

These statistics suggest that the former Benfica starlet, who was described as “tenacious” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, could provide a big threat at the top end of the pitch from midfield as both a scorer and a creator of goals if given the chance to start week-in-week-out and play more minutes for the Hoops.

His assist, for O’Riley in fact, in the clip above illustrates the kind of quality that Bernardo can provide in the opposition’s box when he is free to push forward and join in with attacks to make things happen in the final third.

The Portuguese whiz is a creative and silky attacking midfielder who has the ability to score and create goals at an impressive rate when allowed to express himself on the pitch, but Rodgers has rarely given him an opportunity to do that.

Celtic’s manager elevated O’Riley to the next level by playing him week-in-week-out and pushing him up the pitch to score goals, and Bernardo has the potential to follow in the Dane’s footsteps.

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But it is now down to Rodgers to provide the 23-year-old star with more chances from the start to allow him to find some consistency in his performances and his end product on the way to being the club’s next O’Riley.

MatériaMais NotíciasRelacionadasVascoCom reforços, Vasco divulga lista de relacionados para a partida contra o CorinthiansVasco28/07/2023CorinthiansSituação por empréstimo esfria, e Corinthians negocia venda em definitivo de Barletta ao CearáCorinthians28/07/2023VascoVasco faz proposta pelo atacante Diego CostaVasco28/07/2023

Mesmo sem público, o Vasco não conseguiu quebrar o tabu e segue sem vencer o Corinthians na Neo Química Arena. Em duelo válido pela 17ª rodada do Brasileirão, o Timão superou o Cruzmaltino por 3 a 1. Maycon, Yuri Alberto e Róger Guedes marcaram os gols corintianos, e Gabriel Pec fez o gol vascaíno.

Com a vitória, o Corinthians chega aos 19 pontos e ultrapassa o Santos na tabela, ficando na 14ª posição e abrindo cinco pontos de vantagem para o Bahia, primeiro time da zona do rebaixamento. Já o Vasco estaciona nos nove pontos e segue na lanterna do Campeonato Brasileiro.

+ Veja tabela e simule as próximas rodadas do Brasieirão

Cinco lances que marcaram a partida

> !SILÊNCIO ENSURDECEDOR!Com a punição pelos gritos homofóbicos, o clima na Neo Química Arena durante o jogo foi melancólico. Sem o barulho da Fiel, deu para ouvir muita reclamação contra Vuaden.

> !REINATO AUGUSTO FAZ SUA MÁGICA! Dominando a partida, o Corinthians saiu na frente com um golaço de fora da área de Maycon, mas o destaque foi o tapa de letra “nojento” de Renato Augusto na jogada.

>FERREIRA OU PEDRO RAUL? Em contra-ataque, Sebastián Ferreira teve oportunidade de ouro para estrear pelo Vasco com gol, mas o novo reforço, de frente para o gol, fez cosplay de Pedro Raul e perdeu chance incrível.

> !NÃO É MENTIRA, YURI ALBERTO FEZ GOL!Não teve deslizada, mas Yuri Alberto ampliou a vantagem do Corinthians após aula de contra-ataque. O centroavante fez bonito e acertou lindo chute, sem chances para Léo Jardim.

>!COMBO DOS TRAPALHÕES!Pec recolocou o Vasco na partida após falha de comunicação entre Bruno Méndez, Bidu e Cássio. Mas nem deu tempo de se iludir porque Paulinho cometeu pênalti infantil e Róger Guedes fez o terceiro do Timão em Itaquera.

Como foi o primeiro tempo?

Com Renato Augusto inspirado, o Corinthians teve o controle e criou as melhores chances no primeiro tempo, sendo bastante intenso na marcação e dificultando a saída de bola do Vasco. O Timão teve leve queda de produção após o gol de Maycon, e a equipe de Ramón Diaz não aproveitou a oportunidade de empatar a partida.

E a etapa final?

As alterações de Ramón Diaz tiveram efeito positivo e o Vasco cresceu na etapa final, incomodando mais o Corinthians. Ambas equipes seguiam cometendo erros na defesa, e o Timão foi letal em suas chances e mesmo com queda de produção, fez dois gols, não deixou o Vasco ter esperanças e venceu a partida por 3 a 1.

O que vem por aí?

O próximo compromisso do Corinthians é na terça-feira (1), contra o Newell’s Old Boys-ARG, pela partida de ida das oitavas de final da Sul-Americana, na Neo Química Arena. Já o Vasco volta a campo apenas no dia 6, contra o Grêmio, pelo Brasileirão, em São Januário.

CORINTHIANS 3 X 1 VASCO
CAMPEONATO BRASILEIRO – 17ª RODADA

Local:Neo Química Arena, São Paulo (SP)
Data e hora:sábado, 29 de julho de 2023, às 18h30 (horário de Brasília)
Árbitro:Leandro Pedro Vuaden (RS)
Assistentes:Maurício Coelho Silva Penna (RS) e Michael Stanislau (RS)
Árbitro de vídeo:Emerson de Almeida Ferreira (MG)
Público e renda:Portões fechado / R$0

Cartões amarelos:Caetano, Fausto Vera (COR); – (VAS)
Cartões vermelhos:-

GOLS: Maycon(1-0, aos 18′ do 1ºT), Yuri Alberto (2-0, aos 18′ do 2ºT), Gabriel Pec (2-1, aos 24′ do 2ºT) e Róger Guedes (3-1, aos 27′ do 2ºT)

CORINTHIANS
Cássio; Bruno Méndez, Caetano (Fagner, após o intervalo), Gil e Fábio Santos (Matheus Bidu, aos 17′ do 2ºT); Maycon, Ruan Oliveira, Renato Augusto (Fausto Vera, após o intervalo) e Adson (Biro, aos 37′ do 2ºT); Róger Guedes e Yuri Alberto.Técnico:Vanderlei Luxemburgo

VASCO
Léo Jardim; Miranda, Manuel Capasso e Léo; Puma Rodríguez (Orellano, após o intervalo), Gary Medel, Jair (Paulinho, após o intervalo), Praxedes e Lucas Piton; Figueiredo (Gabriel Pec, após o intervalo) e Sebastián.Técnico:Ramón Díaz.