Barcelona are dealing with a mounting injury crisis with key defender Andreas Christensen joining forwards Raphinha and Ferran Torres on the sidelines ahead of Tuesday's crucial Champions League tie against Olympiacos. The growing absentee list, which already includes Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo, heaps pressure on Coach Hansi Flick as the Blaugrana prepare for the season's first El Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday.

Fresh defensive concern for Barcelona ahead of El Clasico

Barcelona completed their final training session this morning ahead of hosting Olympiacos in the Champions League on Tuesday, but the session brought fresh defensive issues for the Catalan giants. According to , Denmark international Christensen missed training and returned home due to general discomfort, building concerns around his fitness and uncertainty surrounding his availability in time against the Greece side. This defensive worry compounds a severe crisis in the attacking third, as forwards Torres and Raphinha did not participate in Flick's morning session and are expected to be dropped from the squad. The club are prioritising caution to maximise their chances of being available for Sunday's crucial El Clasico against Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesBarcelona's troubling injury list and its impact

The list of unavailable players now poses a major challenge for Flick's tactical plans. Torres's return from the Spain camp due to a strained left hamstring was initially optimistic, but his continued discomfort ruled him out of the recent Girona match, despite his excellent form this season, where he's been directly involved in six goals across 10 La Liga games. Raphinha, who suffered an injury to the middle third of his right hamstring, faces a longer layoff, now heading for a month out after an initial three-week estimate. These setbacks follow injuries to Lewandowski and Olmo, whose calf injury is expected to sideline him for three to four weeks, almost certainly ruling him out of El Clasico. The coaching staff has voiced deep frustration with the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) over the handling of players like Olmo, who reportedly continued to train despite initial discomfort.

However, Flick in his pre-match press conference ahead of their match against Olympiacos, said: "We hope [Ferran Torres] be in the Clásico, and so will Raphinha. We're expecting him. When he came back from the national team, we did an MRI and saw a different situation. We have to minimize the risks, and him playing tomorrow would be a risk. We'll do another MRI on Thursday and we'll see. We have to take care of the players. The situation is difficult. When everyone is back, the situation will be different."

Lewandowski's injury came across as a surprise disappointment for the Catalan side after they showed discontentment towards him for continuing playing for Poland in the World Cup qualifiers despite feeling uneasiness in the first half of the match against Lithuania. Barcelona officials are furious as they argue given the fixture schedule, the Pole could have acted more in line with the priorities at the club level.

Flick's tactical shuffle and the youth injection

Given the depleted attack, Flick is forced into a major tactical reshuffle. All signs point to loanee Marcus Rashford being positioned at the top of the attack, flanked by Lamine Yamal on the right wing and Fermin Lopez on the left. Yamal's return from a persistent groin injury is a much-needed lift; the 18-year-old winger even provided an assist for Pedri’s opening goal in his return to the starting lineup against Girona. To ensure sufficient depth, Flick again called up seven Barca youth academy players – including Diego Kochen, Eder Aller, Toni Fernandez, and Juan Hernandez – all of whom are now on standby for their Champions League debuts against Olympiacos.

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GettyEl Clasico challenges and Flick's absence

Both sides will enter the season's first El Clasico with depleted squads, adding unpredictability to the fixture. While Barcelona manage absences like Torres, Olmo, and the potential loss of Christensen, Real Madrid are also without key defenders, including Dani Carvajal, out for a month with calf injury and Trent Alexander-Arnold, out with biceps femoris problem. However, Barcelona face an additional with Coach Flick being absent from the touchline at the Santiago Bernabeu. Flick received a red card for arguing with officials over the amount of added time during the dramatic 2-1 victory over Girona. With Madrid leading La Liga with 24 points from nine matches to Barcelona's 22 points, the absence of the coach in the dugout for the critical match will test the team's ability to maintain focus and tactical discipline.

MatériaMais Notícias

Atlético-GO e Juventude vão se encarar em um confronto válido pela 27° rodada da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro neste domingo (10). Os dois times se encontram na primeira página da tabela e sonham com uma arrancada em busca da classificação para a elite do futebol nacional. Veja abaixo onde assistir:

Na 9ª posição, o Atlético-GO conta com a força da sua casa para manter a boa sequência. Nas últimas cinco rodadas, o Dragão venceu quatro partidas e empatou um duelo.

Enquanto isso, na 7ª colocação e a um ponto da zona de acesso, o Juventude tenta repetir a vitória que conquistou no primeiro turno, por 3 a 0.

+ Confira a tabela do Brasileirão Série B

Data: Sábado, 10 de setembro de 2023
Horário: 15h30 (horário de Brasília)
Local: Estádio Antonio Accioly , em Goiânia (GO)
Onde assistir: Band (TV aberta) e Premiere (pay-per-view)

PROVÁVEL ESCALAÇÃO DO ATLÉTICO-GO:

Ronaldo; Bruno Tubarão, Luiz Felipe, Lucas Gazal, Lucas Esteves; Rhaldney, Matheus Sales, Shaylon; Kelvin, Gustavo Coutinho e Luiz Fernando.

PROVÁVEL ESCALAÇÃO DO JUVENTUDE:

Thiago Couto; Reginaldo, Danilo Boza, Zé Marcos, Alan Ruschel; Jean Irmer, Jadson, Vini Paulista, Nenê; David e Taliari.

+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

Ben Charlesworth sparks Kent collapse but hosts need steady hand to reach target of 162

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay19-May-2025Cameron Green held his nerve to steer Gloucestershire to a hard-earned three-wicket victory over Kent on the final day of a thrilling Rothesay County Championship Division Two match at the Seat Unique Stadium, Bristol.Set a modest 162 to win in a minimum 57 overs, the home side made heavy weather of the chase as they were reduced to 57 for 4 and 138 for 7, Nathan Gilchrist claiming 4 for 43 to threaten an unlikely Kent comeback. But Australia international Green performed admirably under pressure to post a crucial match-winning innings of 67 not out from 90 balls, including a six and six fours, as the hosts dug in to reach their target with 13.5 overs to spare.Ben Charlesworth had earlier produced a startling cameo with the ball to set up Gloucestershire’s first home win in nearly three years. Regarded as an occasional bowler after being restricted by injury in recent times, the right arm seamer took three wickets in a devastating 14-ball burst as Kent were dismissed for 253 inside 89 overs in their second innings.Chris Benjamin and Grant Stewart appeared to be making a decent fist of saving the game when staging a half century partnership for the fifth wicket, only for the latter to fall to Charlesworth shortly before lunch and spark a collapse in which the visitors lost their last five wickets for 20 runs in 10.5 overs.This was Gloucestershire’s first home win in 16 attempts since beating Warwickshire at Bristol in September 2022 and this first victory of the season was greeted with glee by long-suffering supporters. The home side banked 24 points to climb the table, while Kent took six after suffering a second defeat in as many outings.Resuming on 135 for 4, a slender lead of 43, Kent batters Benjamin and Jack Leaning extended their defiant partnership to 82 in the face of a probing examination from Gloucestershire’s seamers, who bowled well as a unit to build pressure.Imaginative in his field settings, Gloucestershire skipper Cameron Bancroft deployed a short midwicket and invited a mistake. Leaning fell into the trap, attempting to force a ball from Josh Shaw into the on side and looping a catch up to Ollie Price to afford Gloucestershire the breakthrough they craved. He had contributed a patient 34 from 86 balls and frustrated the home bowlers for best part of an hour on the final morning.Ahead by 88, Kent were now pinning their hopes on Stewart and Benjamin mustering a repeat of the huge partnership that formed the basis of their first-innings total on day one. Benjamin upheld his end of the bargain, going to a watchful half-century from 129 deliveries. Rather more robust in his approach, Stewart played his natural game, taking on the seamers and scoring 41 at better than a run a ball to dominate a progressive stand of 53.That was the cue for Bancroft to throw the ball to Charlesworth, who effected a crucial double breakthrough shortly before lunch. Stewart’s high-risk strategy backfired, the Italy international dragging the ball on to his stumps, and when Charlesworth bowled Jaydn Denly for 5 soon afterwards, Kent were 241 for 7, and in trouble. The lead was 149, but the new ball was two overs away and Gloucestershire sensed an opportunity.Before even the new ball could be taken, Charlesworth made a further intervention, inducing Jake Ball to send a leading edge to point where a full-length Miles Hammond took a startling catch on the run to reduce the visitors to 243 for 8. Having previously sent down a mere 33 overs and taken three wickets at an average of 47.3 this season, the 24-year-old allrounder had doubled his tally in the space of six overs from the Ashley Down Road end to utterly transform his team’s prospects.The rout continued after Gloucestershire took the new ball, Ajeet Singh Dale dismissing Kashif Ali lbw for three on his way to career-best match figures of 9 for 179, eclipsing the 7 for 41 he took against Worcestershire at New Road in April 2023. Benjamin was last man out, edging Tom Price to second slip after chiseling 58 from 149 balls.If Gloucestershire believed the route to victory would be straightforward, they were made to think again, losing both openers inside three overs. Pushing half forward to a length ball from Gilchrist, Charlesworth was brilliantly caught by Leaning at second slip, while Ball produced an excellent delivery to have Bancroft caught behind as the hosts slipped to 12 for 2. Gilchrist then held a return catch off his own bowling after squaring up Ollie Price to further reduce Gloucestershire to 37 for 3.It was 57 for 4 soon afterwards, Hammond inexplicably playing at a wide delivery from Stewart and nicking off to Tawanda Muyeye at first slip for 18. Their nerves jangling, Gloucestershire then received a crucial let-off when the diving Leaning put down a sharp chance at second slip off the bowling of Kashif, affording Green a life on 3. Gloucestershire managed to reach the tea interval without further loss on 65 for 4, requiring 97 more to win in 38 overs.A period of stability was called for and Green and James Bracey calmed any nerves, raising a 50 partnership from 58 deliveries, and then accelerating as the ball softened and Kent’s bowlers wavered. Making good his earlier escape, Green hoisted Kashif over midwicket for an imposing six and mustered five fours on his way to a 71-ball half century.But Kent still fancied their chances when Gilchrist returned to take two wickets in as many balls, Bracey holing out to deep midwicket for 19 and Graeme van Buuren offering a catch behind to bag a pair as Gloucestershire slipped to 121 for 6 with 41 still needed. Tom Price pursued a ball down the leg side and was caught behind off the bowling of Stewart to set-up a tense finale, but the indomitable Green and Zaman Akhter carried the home side over the line.

تحدث آرني سلوت، المدير الفني لفريق ليفربول، عن مباراة كريستال بالاس المرتقبة غدًا الأربعاء، في بطولة كأس رابطة الأندية الإنجليزية، كاراباو، موسم 2025/26.

ويستضيف ملعب “الأنفيلد” مباراة فريقي ليفربول وكريستال بالاس، في إطار منافسات دور الـ16 من كأس كاراباو، مساء الغد.

وسبق أن تواجه الفريقان في كأس الدرع الخيرية، في شهر أغسطس الماضي، حيث خسر ليفربول بركلات الترجيح، قبل أن يسقط أمام الخصم نفسه بهدفين لهدف في الدوري الإنجليزي ذلك الموسم.

اقرأ أيضًا.. ليفربول يحسم موقفه من إقالة آرني سلوت لسوء النتائج

وقال سلوت، في تصريحات نشرها موقع ليفربول: “بكل تأكيد سبق لنا مواجهة كريستال بالاس في الدوري الإنجليزي ذلك الموسم، لم تكن النتيجة في تلك المباراة كما كنا نأمل، يُحسب لهم ذلك”.

وأضاف :”جاء هدف فوزهم متأخرًا جدًا في تلك المباراة بعد أن أدركنا التعادل وذلك بعد شوط أول صعب علينا، لذلك يجب أن نكون على دراية ليس فقط بالمشاكل التي قد يسببونها، بل أيضًا بقدرتهم على الاستمرار حتى صافرة النهاية”.

وواصل: “لم أتخذ قرارًا نهائيًا بشأن التشكيل الذي سنستخدمه لهذه المباراة، هناك حاجة للتدريب والتحقق من جاهزية اللاعبين، ولكن يجب أن يكون أي لاعب نختاره جاهزًا لمواجهة فريق مثل كريستال بالاس”.

Vincent Kompany’s new Bayern Munich contract runs until 2029 without a release clause but with a Champions League bonus. The Belgian, who led Bayern to the Bundesliga title in his first season, has been rewarded for his rapid success as the club look to secure their long-term future under the 39-year-old tactician.

Kompany signed long-term deal with Bayern until 2029

Bayern recently announced the extension of Kompany’s contract until June 2029, a major show of confidence in the Belgian manager after a stellar debut campaign in Bavaria. The new deal makes Kompany the first coach since Hansi Flick in 2020 to be offered a renewal by the club, underlining the hierarchy’s satisfaction with his work.

Bayern’s leadership finalised the agreement at the club's headquarters, marking the occasion with a celebratory toast. The 39-year-old’s deal was initially due to expire in 2027, but the two-year extension ensures long-term stability after several seasons of managerial turnover.

Importantly, Kompany’s new contract does not contain a release clause, a key move to safeguard the German club against potential future interest from Manchester City, his former club, or other top European sides. Instead, the deal features performance-based incentives, including a lucrative bonus if Bayern win the Champions League.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe structure behind Bayern’s long-term faith

The ex-Burnley manager's immediate impact in Munich has been undeniable. After taking over from Thomas Tuchel in the summer of 2024, he guided Die Roten to a dominant Bundesliga title, finishing 13 points clear and scoring 99 goals in 34 matches – a return to the free-flowing, aggressive football that defines the club’s identity.

This season, Bayern’s resurgence has continued. They currently sit top of the Bundesliga with 24 points from eight games, boasting both the best attack with 30 goals and the best defence with only four conceded. Their recent 3-0 victory over Borussia Monchengladbach marked their 13th consecutive win across all competitions, equalling an elite European record previously held by AC Milan in 1992-93.

Such results have cemented Kompany’s growing reputation as one of Europe’s most promising young managers. His emphasis on tactical flexibility, ball progression through the backline, and vertical attacking transitions has rejuvenated a Bayern squad that looked disjointed under previous management.

Inside Kompany’s Champions League clause and Bayern’s ambitions

Bayern’s management see the Champions League as the next major frontier for Kompany. After the club’s quarter-final exit to Inter last season, the new clause offers tangible reward for continental glory, a €1 million bonus should the team lift the trophy, according to .

The clause symbolises Bayern’s renewed belief in a long-term project built around the former Manchester City captain’s modern footballing vision. Kompany himself spoke about his pride and motivation to build on their progress: “I’m grateful, honoured and would like to thank FC Bayern for the trust and the working environment they’ve given me from day one. It feels like I’ve been here a lot longer and that I know the club well. It’s been a great experience so far. We’ve started on a wonderful journey. Let’s keep working hard and celebrate much more success!”

His words reflect a growing harmony between the club's leadership and coaching staff, something that had been missing since Flick’s departure.

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GettyTough tests ahead for Kompany’s record-breaking Bayern

The Bavarians' focus now turns to a crucial ten-day stretch that could define their early-season momentum. Kompany’s men face three major fixtures: a DFB-Pokal clash against Koln on October 29, a Bundesliga showdown with Bayer Leverkusen on November 1, and a high-stakes Champions League meeting with Luis Enrique’s Paris Saint-Germain, on November 4.

Bayern are targeting a return to continental dominance after five years without a Champions League title. With Kompany now secured until 2029 and a strong blend of youth and experience in the squad, Bayern believe they’ve finally found the leadership stability to compete for Europe’s biggest prize once again.

If the Belgian can translate his domestic brilliance to Europe, that €1m bonus may be just the beginning of a golden era under his watch.

Celtic have had a mixed start to the season, with their domestic dominance being undercut by a failure to qualify for the Champions League. Despite looking like favourites going into their qualification tie, the Hoops lost on penalties to Kairat Almaty.

While a number of players arrived over the summer, the Scottish Premiership champions went into the season with something of a sombre mood due to the fans and, seemingly, the manager wanting more new signings.

The main area that looked like it could have done with some more reinforcements was the attack, and after going out to Kairat following two goalless matches, it seems like another attacking signing may have helped them qualify for the Champions League, effectively paying for themselves.

It seems that despite not signing another attacker in the summer, Celtic’s board know that they do need to bring one in and are currently plotting a move for a Champions League winner in January.

Celtic eye Rodgers and Sterling reunion

Celtic’s hunt for a new attacker could come in the form of a reunion, as Brendan Rodgers has been linked with signing Raheem Sterling. Rodgers managed Sterling at Liverpool and selected the former England star on 126 occasions, in which he registered 41 goal involvements.

Football Insider’s transfer correspondent Pete O’Rourke spoke on the Inside Track podcast about the links between Sterling and Celtic, saying Rodgers could be key to any deal.

The report also states that Sterling had a number of suitors in the summer, including offers from Turkey and Saudi Arabia; however, he opted to remain at Chelsea instead, despite it being clear that Enzo Maresca didn’t have a place for him. A move to Glasgow wouldn’t be as dramatic a change to life as a move abroad, and so Sterling may see Celtic as a more appealing prospect.

The biggest downside for Sterling would be Celtic’s budget restriction. Finances were a large part of the reason that they did not bring in another attacker over the summer, and O’Rourke has shared that if the move were to happen, then Sterling may need to take a pay cut to facilitate it.

Sterling could re-find himself in Scotland

Despite an illustrious career that has seen him score 194 senior goals and years of performing at the highest level, Celtic fans may be slightly disappointed with Sterling being their new attacking signing, as the 30-year-old has struggled in the last few seasons.

Chelsea have been trying to offload Sterling in the last two transfer windows, with the England winger eventually joining Arsenal on loan in the summer of 2024. After failing to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge this summer, he has been exiled from the squad with the hopes of a January exit.

Sterling hasn’t managed to score 10 league goals in a season since leaving Manchester City in 2022, and he only managed six goal involvements last season. However, Arsenal were competing at the top of the Premier League and Champions League, meaning Sterling’s minutes were somewhat limited.

Playing in the Scottish Premiership and the Europa League may provide Sterling with the opportunity to rediscover himself, and competing at a slightly lower level may see his goal-scoring numbers rise. Furthermore, Rodgers is a coach who managed to bring about some of Sterling’s best football, so a reunion may provide a further boost.

Half-centuries for senior pair ensure Somerset cannot capitalise on morning declaration

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay 25-Jun-2025

Warwickshire and Somerset harvested the predictable Rothesay County Championship draw as a forgettable match finally petered out on the final day at Edgbaston.Set a notional victory target of 377 in 69 overs, Warwickshire plodded to 161 for four as Tom Latham (52 from 103 balls) and Sam Hain (68 not out, 157) escorted their team to safety and the match to stalemate.Somerset had extended their second innings in the morning to 229 for eight (James Rew 61, 81) but not as quickly as they hoped due to interference from Australian off-spinner Corey Rocchiccioli who took five for 67 on debut.It had always appeared that a bland pitch would blunt the victory aspirations of either side and so it proved. Both shored up their positions in the middle of Division One with a solid points haul from a match which offered less than vivid entertainment. The deployment of two short mid-wickets and two short extras for Latham off Migael Pretorius was about as exciting as it got for the slumbering Edgbaston faithful.Somerset resumed on the final morning on 116 for three, 283 ahead overall, and started purposefully. Rew completed a 66-ball half-century but two wickets for Rocchoccioli slowed the momentum and changed the plan. The spinner unfurled a lovely turning delivery which Rew edged to wicketkeeper Kai Smith. Tom Banton missed a sweep and was lbw.Bowling coach Steve Kirby had suggested after day three that Somerset would need 80 overs to try to bowl Warwickshire out, but that point arrived with the lead only 317. That would have been a very attractive target on a pitch still good for batting.Tom Abell (42, 63) and Archie Vaughan (38 not out, 59) batted watchfully to prevent a collapse then expanded to add 65 in 14 overs before Abell charged and missed at Rocchoccioli. Pretorious had his off-stump rendered askew by Ethan Bamber and Rocchoccioli’s five-for was complete when Craig Overton missed a reverse sweep and was lbw, triggering lunch and the declaration.To challenge the target – 377 in two sessions – Warwickshire needed a strong platform but they lost soon both openers. Alex Davies fell to the fourth ball, lbw, trapped in the crease by Matt Henry. Rob Yates left a gap between bat and pad and Jack Leach, who opened the bowling, turned the ball through it.That scuppered any chance of a Warwickshire win. Somerset’s hopes were ground away over the next two hours by Latham and Hain. There are few batters better-equipped than those to steer a side to safety and they duly quietened the excited fielding side with resolute, solid and watchful work.They declined to pursue a target of 276 from 34 overs after tea. Latham drove a return catch to Overton and Jacob Bethell top-edged a pull at Pretorius but the implacable Hain reached 50 for the 58th time in first-class cricket to see the job through in a soporific, slumbering, sparsely-populated stadium as far-removed as can be from the passionate cauldron it will be when England meet India there next week.

Still on the hunt for their next manager, Rangers and those at Ibrox are now reportedly targeting a manager who’s made history in English football.

Rangers shortlist growing

A number of names have been mentioned since Steven Gerrard’s unexpected decision, but the Gers remain without a replacement for Russell Martin. With Rangers back in action against Dundee United this weekend, to say that their current situation is far from ideal would be an understatement.

The 49ers still have a number of options, however. They could still turn towards the likes of Danny Rohl or perhaps even Hearts manager Derek McInnes. The 54-year-old is doing an excellent job at Hearts right now and has them top of the Scottish Premiership, two points above champions Celtic. For many at Ibrox, he would be the next Rangers manager in an ideal world.

Whether the 49ers can lure the Hearts boss away from his current role is another question entirely. Instead, they may be forced to look elsewhere and towards English football.

Whether that means turning to Rohl will be interesting to see. The former Sheffield Wednesday boss is one of the most exciting managerial prospects around and did an admirable job in a difficult position at Hillsborough. The 36-year-old wouldn’t be the safest choice given his inexperience, but he could be worth taking a gamble on.

It’s not just McInnes on the list, though. Former Young Boys manager Raphael Wicky has also emerged as a potential candidate. A title winner in Switzerland, the 48-year-old may not be a well-known name, but he is someone who has had impressive success in recent years.

The same can also be said for a Championship manager, who even has some historic moments on his side if Rangers come calling.

Rangers now targeting Kieran McKenna

According to TeamTalk, Rangers are now targeting Kieran McKenna. The Ipswich Town boss has emerged as one of the candidates for the job after impressing during his time at Portman Road, with Ashley Young calling him a “winner”.

One of just five managers to achieve back-to-back promotions from League One all the way to the Premier League, it’s hard to doubt McKenna’s ability to transform a club. And whilst Ipswich have since been relegated back to the Championship, the manager’s reputation is still more than intact, with many full of belief in his expertise.

Rangers left impressed after Ibrox talks with "amazing" 4-2-3-1 manager

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ByHenry Jackson Oct 12, 2025

The biggest task for Rangers will be prying McKenna away from Ipswich. The 39-year-old has been at the club since the 2021/22 campaign and still has work to do as those at Portman Road eye an instant return to the Premier League.

If the 49ers did manage to lure the former Manchester United coach away from Suffolk in the coming weeks, then the transition could be smoother than ever. McKenna plays the same 4-2-3-1 system as Russell Martin, albeit without the clear weaknesses that the former manager had.

After defeating Sassuolo in the Serie A, Roma head coach Gian Piero Gasperini has heaped praise on Argentine forward Paulo Dybala for his performance. The Gialorossi edged past their Italian counterparts 1-0 in an away game as the 31-year-old secured the solitary goal, keeping the capital club level on points with Napoli at the top of Serie A.

• Dybala fires Roma to another win

  Thanks to the win on Sunday, Roma now have the same points as table toppers Napoli but sit second on the Serie A table due to a lower goal difference. The victory was crucial to Gasperini's men as they entered the game on the back of successive defeats to Inter in the domestic competition and Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League. Dybala, who recently scored his 200th goal for club and country, added one more under his belt, helping his team cruise past the Sassuolo challenge. Notably, this was the Argentine's first Serie A goal of the season.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Dybala goal earns praise from Gasperini

  After the defeat against Viktoria Plzen, Gasperini was furious with the team's attacking third, tagging them as 'sluggish', but the slender win in Serie A was much more to the coach's liking, singling Dybala out for praise. The 67-year-old said: "I never had any doubts about  Paulo. He's an extraordinary player and a striker, but not a winger: he can play as a first or second striker, he can play anywhere." Happy about the scoreline, he mentioned, "I'm very satisfied with our position in the table and with today's match, which was difficult because Sassuolo are doing well. We played it in the best possible way; after two defeats, we reacted very well. We won an important match."

  Gasperini's next challenge is to improve their home record. As of now, they have lost four games at the Stadio Olimpico, which includes a fixture from the Europa League.  

  "The absolute priority is to get back to winning at the Olimpico," he added. "It's a shame we lost so many times in front of our fans. We'd like to give them good, well-played games. Not all of them were bad, I'm thinking for example of the one against Inter, while Thursday's win shouldn't have been lost. And today's win allows us to recover a little. At home, we have characteristics that sometimes lead us to hit the wall and then concede goals: we need to be more effective."

• Roma warned not to get carried away

  Although this win makes Dybala happy, he is not ready to get carried away. The Serie A is a long competition with 38 matches and they have just completed their eighth so far. He said: "We knew it before the match, even looking at yesterday’s results: there was the possibility of staying at the top of the table, but the season is still very long. There are many games left. These are three important points, also to redeem ourselves after the defeats of the past few days. We’re happy, but now we must immediately focus on Wednesday’s match. Scoring difficulties? Strikers thrive on goals, and it’s obvious that we want to score in every match. Unfortunately, there are difficult moments during the season, but the important thing is that the team wins: whoever scores doesn’t matter."

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  Upcoming hurdles for Roma

  Roma's prerogative would be to return to winning ways in front of their fans on Wednesday, when they face Parma, who sit 15th in the league. Although it won't be a cakewalk for Dybala and Co., a win will enhance the team's confidence ahead of two crucial fixtures in the next 10 days. After facing Parma, they will travel to San Siro to greet Massimiliano Allegri's AC Milan on Sunday. Milan currently sit a place lower than Roma in Serie A, but the competition between the two heavyweights is expected to be boiling. Post the Milan game, Gasperini's team will head to Scotland to take on Rangers on November 6. Roma have acquired only one victory in their three continental fixtures. Rangers, who are yet to get their first win, will be eager to bounce back and are expected to hand the Gialorossi a tough 90 minutes.

Turning into quite the saga, Rangers have now reportedly launched a move to sign another fresh managerial candidate as they look to find their replacement for Russell Martin.

Latest on Rangers' manager search

It’s been a hectic few days for those at Ibrox, who have gone from Steven Gerrard all the way back to the drawing board. By this stage of the international break, the Gers would have been hoping to have their new manager signed and sealed, but their top candidate quickly spoiled those plans. With their next game against Dundee United on the horizon, Rangers are set to be manager-less.

That’s not to say work isn’t being done in pursuit of certain candidates, however, and Kevin Muscat is one of the favourites. The 52-year-old, who has won everywhere he’s been, is currently in charge of Shanghai Port but could ditch the Chinese club in favour of Rangers when the Chinese Super League campaign concludes in mid-November.

Whether the 49ers deem Muscat worth the wait remains to be seen. Of course, if the answer is a resounding no, then they will have to look elsewhere entirely after Danny Rohl removed himself from the running.

The 36-year-old wasn’t the most inexperienced name on the list, but was admired by many for the promise that he has after a successful spell in the chaos surrounding Sheffield Wednesday.

Related Fabrizio Romano shares what he's heard from Rangers on new "leading candidate"

The Gers have identified a new favourite for the job.

Posts ByTom Cunningham Oct 15, 2025

So much so that current Owls star Barry Bannan recently told reporters when asked about his former manager: “If he’s appointed, I definitely think he’ll go in there and get results right away. For me, he’s up there with the very best I’ve worked with during my career.”

Once again though, it’s not an appointment that would come without question marks and if the 49ers really want to avoid more controversy, then they should turn towards a former Premier League manager.

Rangers launch Ole Gunnar Solskjaer move

As reported by Fotboll Direkt and relayed by Sports Witness, Rangers have now launched their move for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who is still a free agent after leaving Besiktas in August. The two-time Eliteserien title winner and former Manchester United boss has reportedly received contact from the Gers and now has a decision to make.

Whilst some may look back on his time at Old Trafford as a failure, Solskjaer is still a manager who showed plenty of promise as a winner at Molde and when asked to steady the ship at United. Whether he’d do the same at Ibrox is something that the 49ers may find out.

Many have had their say about what Solskjaer should do next as a result, including ex-Man United player Nicky Butt, who advised him not to take the Old Trafford job if INEOS sack Ruben Amorim.

After being sacked by Besiktas, the next stage of the 52-year-old’s manager career could be his most important one yet. Fail and he may fall into the abyss of free agent managers. Succeed at Ibrox, however, and he could be a legend.