The 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star starters were announced on Wednesday night. National League frontrunner for MVP, Shohei Ohtani, and American League MVP candidate Aaron Judge highlighted the lists for both leagues, securing their spots earlier this month as leading vote-getters.

Now we know which players will fill out the AL and NL starting lineups alongside them.

The 2025 Major League All-Star game is set for Tuesday, July 15 at 8 p.m. ET at Truist Park in Atlanta.

American League All-Star Starters

C: Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners

1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Toronto Blue Jays

2B: Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers

SS: Jacob Wilson, Athletics

3B: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians

OF: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

OF: Riley Greene, Detroit Tigers

OF: Javier Baez, Detroit Tigers

DH: Ryan O'Hearn, Baltimore Orioles

National League All-Stars

C: Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers

1B: Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers

2B: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

SS: Francisco Lindor, New York Mets

3B: Manny Machado, San Diego Padres

OF: Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves

OF: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs

OF: Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs

DH: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers

After sacking Liam Manning, Norwich City have reportedly conducted an interview with former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Gary O’Neil and set a managerial deadline.

The Canaries made the decision to sack Manning after 15 Championship games in charge. The former Bristol City manager arrived off the back of an excellent campaign with the Robins, in which they secured a playoff place, but was unable to replicate that form in charge of Norwich.

Instead of the top six, the Canaries have found themselves in the bottom two courtesy of Manning and only above Sheffield Wednesday, who were hit with a 12-point deduction after entering administration.

After two wins in 15 league games, Manning’s tenure suddenly makes former manager Johannes Hoff Thorup’s time at the club look rather promising, on reflection. Whether there’s some regret that those at Carrow Road didn’t give the latter more time is up for debate, however.

Sporting director Ben Knapper released a statement after sacking Manning, telling fans that they “tried absolutely everything possible” to turn things around under the former Bristol City boss.

Meanwhile, the search for a new manager is very much underway with reports going as far as to claim that the Canaries have already interviewed two candidates for the job.

Norwich interview Gary O'Neil

As reported by The Telegraph’s John Percy, Norwich have now interviewed O’Neil for their vacant managerial role and are keen to make an official appointment in the next 10 days.

The ex-Premeir League manager was recently linked with a second stint at Wolverhampton Wanderers, but turned his former club down. Now, he could be on his way to Carrow Road.

Former Blackburn Rovers manager Jon Dahl Tomasson has also reportedly been interviewed, but O’Neil’s Premier League experience should make him Norwich’s number one choice.

Dubbed “fantastic” by former Wolves winger Jordan Graham during his time in the Midlands, O’Neil has all the credentials needed to finally turn things around at Norwich, who sit four points adrift of safety in the Championship.

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Gudakesh Motie, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd have been rested for the Nepal series, while Shimron Hetmyer had made himself unavailable

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Sep-2025

The West Indies team management is looking to expand the bowlers’ pool ahead of the T20 World Cup early next year in India and Sri Lanka.Their next T20I assignment is against Nepal at the end of this month for which the selectors have picked five uncapped players, including legspinner Zishan Motara, left-arm quick Ramon Simmonds and legspin-bowling allrounder Navin Bidaisee, apart from batters Ackeem Auguste and Karima Gore, who played international cricket for USA until 2021 but is yet to get his West Indies cap.They have also picked a support staff heavily stacked with former bowlers to accompany the 15-man squad to Sharjah, with Rayon Griffith as the head coach, Ottis Gibson as fast-bowling consultant, and Nikita Miller and Jerome Taylor as assistant coaches.Related

'Not tactics, just team belief' – Pooran toasts TKR's spirit after CPL glory

Nepal, WI to play first bilateral T20I series in September

Five uncapped players in Akeal Hosein-led WI T20I squad against Nepal

“The tour of Nepal is quite strategic for us,” CWI director of cricket Miles Bascombe said in a press meet. “We have recognised that probably over the last few years, our bowling has been a little bit of the Achilles’ heel in our white-ball team. So we have tried to bolster the support for the bowling group.”After touring the UAE, West Indies will tour Bangladesh for six white-ball matches in October and then fly to New Zealand for five T20Is and three ODIs.Full-time head coach Daren Sammy explained that some of the first-choice players like Gudakesh Motie, the second-highest wicket-taker in the ongoing CPL, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford and Romario Shepherd had been rested for the games in Nepal to manage their workloads. Except Shimron Hetmyer, who blew hot and blew cold this CPL and was unavailable for the tour.Ottis Gibson’s presence raises the profile of the West Indies support staff•Getty Images

“If you look at the workload of these guys, Rovman for sure, he has been battling a wrist injury that prevented him from playing in the Pakistan series,” Sammy said. “I mean, he pushed it through this CPL. He requested a time off for him to further look at it. Motie and Shepherd, because of their workload over the last few months, we gave them a time off for that. Sherfane was also [rested] because of his workload.”Hetmyer also requested that he was unavailable for that Nepal trip. So again, like I said, it’s not always a bed of roses. Some things we don’t see, but it’s always a challenge. I’ve said that when I call somebody and tell them, ‘you’ve been selected for some of the series’, and I have to ask to everyone, do you accept the selection to play for West Indies? It’s something that I must do because we don’t own the players. We could only select from what’s available to us. Hettie has been one of our promising, talented players from the Under-19 level. However, the scope of things that now… we could only select and hope guys accept this selection. But he’s always available for selection from our side.”Sammy further said that the selectors and coaches also looked at the performers from the inaugural Breakout League – a new T20 league launched earlier this year to spot talent from across the Caribbean – and the CPL to pick fresh players for the upcoming T20Is.Nathan Edward is a rare left-arm quick in West Indies cricket•ICC/Getty Images

“You look at the Breakout [League] and again, I will emphasise the need for continued avenues for us to showcase and unearth talent,” he said. “And the Breakout, maybe some people were against it because it was a T20 format, but if you see this year, the amount of players that came through – Bidaisee was one of them that came through and show his skillset in the Breakout. And, he reminds me of Samuel Badree, who probably could bowl in the powerplay, bowl in the middle, very consistent around that good-length area that brings challenges to batsmen.”And two areas that I’ve spoken about in our bowling department in T20s is the need for a wristspinner. And every single team I could remember in World Cup T20 cricket, has had a left-arm seamer. Just the angle they bring and the difficulty, especially in the back-end of an innings, or whether the ability to swing. I don’t think in the history of West Indies cricket we’ve actually even had two left-arm seamers playing together, much less three. And we also, from the Breakout, you see a young Nathan Edward, who’s been quite quality as well. So again, you put that and you’re hoping that one or two will graduate so quickly that they could be into the senior team.”We gave Jediah [Blades] the exposure, but the way Ramon Simmonds has been bowling in all phases of the game gives me, and I’m pretty sure the selection group, confidence. It makes us excited about the prospects, the promise he’s shown. And then to top that, having somebody like an Ottis Gibson working with them, it’s a win-win situation for us. And hopefully that experience that they will gain or learn from getting the skillsets and the technical aspects of fast bowling or seam bowling from Ottis on that short trip could be a step…”Matthew Forde was still not fit to be considered for selection after he dislocated his shoulder in August, which made him miss the ODIs against Pakistan. CWI is, however, hoping he will be “up and running again” by the Bangladesh series.

Chelsea are believed to be in discussions over signing a “very mature” England international ahead of 2026, which interestingly comes amid Romeo Lavia’s injury nightmare.

Lavia was hauled off after just eight minutes during Chelsea’s 2-2 midweek draw with Azerbaijani minnows Qarabag in the Champions League, which could slap the Belgian with yet another lengthy lay off.

Enzo Maresca didn’t provide a definitive update on the ex-Man City gem’s condition in his pre-match press conference ahead of Wolves, but admitted the situation is a “painful” one.

Lavia launched a water bottle in frustration after being taken off against Qarabağ, and it’s hard to blame him.

Since joining Chelsea in a near-£60 million deal over two years ago, Lavia has failed to complete a single 90 minutes — missing a total of 87 matches and being sidelined for 568 days.

Chelsea have been tipped to sign a new midfielder since Lavia was sidelined once again, but journalist Graeme Bailey says it is something they’ve been considering for a long while as Maresca’s side look to bring in more competition for Enzo Fernández and Moises Caicedo.

Dario Essugo is also out for a “long time” after undergoing surgery on his thigh, with Maresca suggesting he could remain out until January.

In light of this, Chelsea are believed to be weighing up their options, and they apparently hold a serious interest in Crystal Palace sensation Adam Wharton.

The 21-year-old’s excellent 23/24 campaign earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad for the Euros, but injuries have somewhat stifled his development since then, even if he’s still considered to be one of the country’s brightest up-and-coming talents in the engine room.

Chelsea "actively in talks" with Crystal Palace over Adam Wharton

The Blues are expected to be in the race for Wharton next year, and journalist Aaron Ramiro now claims that they’ve gone a step further already.

According to his information, Chelsea are “actively in talks” with Palace over a deal for the ex-Blackburn Rovers starlet, and the Eagles are talking about the possibility of Trevoh Chalobah going back to Selhurst Park as a makeweight in negotiations.

The England international is very highly-rated by his peers, and Palace have apparently slapped a £100 million price tag on his head to ward off suitors.

How Wharton plays this season will greatly determine whether Chelsea would be willing to get anywhere near that valuation, but former Palace teammate Eberechi Eze is convinced that he’s set for a bright future and already “very mature” for his age.

Starting in 2027, Major League Soccer will transition from its current calendar-year schedule to a summer-to-spring format, aligning with top international leagues. The move has caused much discussion, but United States national team boss Mauricio Pochettino has thrown his full support behind the move, saying it's a great step forward for the game in America.

• MLS making switch to align with Europe

  The new 2027-28 regular season will kick off in mid-to-late July 2027 and conclude with the MLS Cup in late May 2028, with a lengthy mid-winter break from mid-December until early February. Before the full switch, a transitional mini-season will run from February to May 2027, featuring 14 games to determine qualification for other tournaments, including the US Open Cup and Leagues Cup. This historic shift aims to improve global competitiveness, enhance transfer market opportunities, and ensure the MLS Cup Playoffs do not compete with the NFL and college football seasons. The decision was approved by the league's Board of Governors. While owners and fans anticipate the benefits, the league is also addressing potential challenges, such as winter weather, for northern teams. 

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• AFP
  

  Pochettino expresses support

  Pochettino said: "For sure this is a great step forward for MLS to be on par with the top leagues in the world. Having managed club teams and now the US National Team, the ability to align with the international calendar will have a huge positive impact for the players, coaches and clubs. This also extends beyond the senior national teams; it will allow us to have access to the youth national team players during critical periods of international competition, further advancing their development."

  The former Spurs and Chelsea boss added: "My reaction is: well done. Congratulations, fantastic, I think great decision. What we can do from my personal view and the (US soccer) federation is to show our support. It’s a great decision. I think it’s going to be good for MLS, good for soccer in the US and I agree with the decision. I’m happy because, with me here or not, I think it’s a good decision for soccer. The feeling is going to be like were competing here in the U.S. like we are in Europe, that is always the reference. We are in a process to evolve and develop. The best way to grow in the sport is to see the principal leagues [in the world], how they act and how they are doing things."

• MLS chief explains switch

  MLS Commissioner Don Garber hailed it as a landmark moment for MLS, saying: "The calendar shift is one of the most important decisions in our history. Aligning our schedule with the world’s top leagues will strengthen our clubs’ global competitiveness, create better opportunities in the transfer market, and ensure our Audi MLS Cup Playoffs take centre stage without interruption. It marks the start of a new era for our league and for soccer in North America."

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  Potential pitfalls of switching calendar

  Switching to a summer-to-spring calendar creates significant problems for MLS, primarily in dealing with frigid weather and managing player relationships. Teams in northern markets will face lower attendance and tougher conditions for games and training during the winter months, despite the planned break. This move also risks disputes with the MLS Players Association over the length of the off-season and changes to existing player contracts. While the switch aligns with the global transfer market, it presents logistical challenges for a league covering a vast and climatically diverse area.

Under the guidance of director of cricket operations Mithun Manhas, they are eyeing their maiden semi-final appearance in the Ranji Trophy

Himanshu Agrawal07-Feb-2025Jammu & Kashmir are in the Ranji Trophy knockouts after five years. En route, they have beaten higher-rated teams like Mumbai and Baroda to finish with the second-highest points from the group stage. This is only the third time they have entered the quarter-finals in their 55 years of participation in the tournament.Their campaign has had shades of the 2019-20 season, where they made the knockouts on the back of six outright wins in nine matches. They were within touching distance of the semi-finals then, before nerves got the better of them against Karnataka.That season should have been the springboard for higher honours. Instead, the following four years have been about inconsistency, lack of proper build-ups to seasons, infrastructure issues and administrative apathy.Related

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Ranji Trophy quarter-finals – teams in the fray, players to watch, and much more

Accuracy in, pressure off: How J&K took down mighty Mumbai

Haryana vs Mumbai Ranji quarter-final shifted to Kolkata

How Saurashtra rewired their game to turn Ranji season around

Things have been slightly different this time. The Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) had emphasised on proper conditioning through match time in the build-up to the season, and that seems to have given the players a better footing. They had a proper pre-season camp, followed by a competitive pre-season tournament – Buchi Babu in Tamil Nadu – prior to the Ranji season. The players haven’t had to hit the ground running.With Srinagar unable to host matches because of the harsh winter conditions, J&K’s only other available ground, the Gandhi Science College ground in Jammu had to be renovated quickly, and that work started late last year. It’s possible even JKCA didn’t factor in the possibility of the team qualifying in the manner they have – they finished as group-toppers and earned the right to host the quarter-final against Kerala, starting February 8.They play in Pune instead. But if it is a red-soil surface, as it is likely to be, J&K won’t complain, having performed exceedingly well and beaten Mumbai and Baroda on such surfaces in their own backyards.

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J&K’s run hasn’t been because of their big-ticket players. Umran Malik hasn’t played a game owing to form and injury issues, Rasikh Salam has mostly been used in T20s, and Abdul Samad, a player with big-match capabilities, hasn’t quite been able to come on the way everyone anticipated him to when he broke through in 2019-20.Samad is still their second-highest run-getter this season with 393 runs, but he’s only been a support player to the likes of batter Shubham Khajuria, allrounder Abid Mushtaq, right-arm quicks Auqib Nabi, Yudhvir Singh and Umar Nazir, and offspinner Sahil Lotra.Nabi has enjoyed a breakthrough run five years after first playing for the state. Now 28, Nabi is this season’s second-highest wicket-taker with 38 wickets, including five five-wicket hauls. In fact, he is one of only two pacers in the top ten in the wicket-takers’ charts.

“Before he came on board, I feel we lacked in off-season camps and preparation. In these three years, we have had a different coach for batting, bowling and fielding. Every year when the season ends, Mithun summons all the players and asks what was lacking during that season. And with everyone’s feedback, that thing [which was lacking] is implemented next year”Shubham Khajuria on the impact of director of cricket operations Mithun Manhas

Nazir, meanwhile, was instrumental in running through Mumbai’s top order on the opening day two weeks ago, taking 4 for 41. This included the wicket of Rohit Sharma, which he didn’t celebrate because he’s a “big fan” of the India captain. Nazir has been the perfect back-up to Nabi in the pace department. And like Nabi, Nazir too has over the years built up solid experience.”For the past two years, we have been playing red-ball tournaments outside of our own state,” Nabi said. “We also played the Buchi Babu tournament in Tamil Nadu. So our practice was very good. The same team that plays Ranji also went there. So it helped us a lot.”One of the sounding boards for this team is Mithun Manhas, the former Delhi captain who now leads their cricket operations as director. Manhas took over after Irfan Pathan and Milap Mewada left as mentor and coach respectively following Covid. Success hasn’t come overnight; it has taken three years for Manhas and the others to get it right. Manhas’ challenge will now be to ensure, unlike earlier, this isn’t a case of taking two steps forward and then three back.This season, Manhas brought in Paras Dogra. At 40, he’s the oldest member of the side, but also the most experienced, having played 142 first-class games at the time of writing. Dogra took over the captaincy, a tough ask for anyone coming in. While he has been short of runs (216 runs in 12 innings), his experience has certainly lent a degree of calmness.Dogra has had the support of Ajay Sharma, the former India batter, who was brought on as head coach three years ago. While the start to his tenure wasn’t great, the JKCA hasn’t been swayed by short-term results.Prior to the season, former Rajasthan batter Dishant Yagnik was brought in as fielding coach. He conducted camps along with Ajay for the batters. Then there were other moves which helped, like the BCCI deciding to split the Ranji Trophy season in two to avoid games getting affected by fog during peak winter in north India, something that cost them last year.Shubham Khajuria is Jammu and Kashmir’s leading run-scorer this season•PTI “All our three home games in 2023-24 were badly hit,” Nabi said. Barely any action could take place over four days in the matches against Himachal Pradesh (65.3 overs), Delhi (42) and Uttarakhand (39) in Jammu. While the first two of those games took place in early January, even the one against Uttarakhand in early February was fogged out. It meant J&K could hardly challenge for a knockouts berth.However, the tweak to the calendar worked in their favour. After a high-scoring draw against Maharashtra and an innings victory against Services in Srinagar, they also beat Tripura in Jammu, before getting on a roll in their away games.

****

For the first time, J&K brought on a bowling coach in an official capacity two years ago when Manhas called up former Rajasthan quick Pudiyangum Krishnakumar. Until then, Abdul Qayoom, the former J&K player, had been in an overseeing role. “We never had a bowling coach before him,” Nabi said. “So I’ve practiced a lot with him. I worked with him on my outswing, and I have been getting very good outswing since then.”Khajuria, J&K’s highest run-getter this season, credited Manhas for the resurgence, especially when it came to the planning part.”I feel we lacked in off-season camps and preparation,” Khajuria said. “In these three years, we have had a different coach for batting, bowling and fielding. Every year when the season ends, Mithun summons all the players and asks what was lacking during that season. And with everyone’s feedback, that thing [which was lacking] is even implemented next year.”He also underlined how the preparation was different.”After the [List A] Vijay Hazare Trophy got over, we reached Jammu on January 6. Thereafter, we had our camp from January 9 onwards; we hardly took a two-day break in between,” he said. “We practiced there till January 15, and realising the massive difference between the weather in Jammu and Mumbai, the association sent us to Mumbai on the same day itself. That was eight days before our match, during which we practiced there.”Both Nabi and Khajuria were part of the XI in the 2019-20 quarter-final heartbreak. As experienced players now, they have had a ringside view of the challenges the team has had to endure since.Auqib Nabi, with 38 scalps, finished the league stage as the highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers•PTI “The biggest problem is that we don’t have any infrastructure in J&K; it is coming up a bit, but it’s still not a lot,” Nabi said. “For instance, I come from Baramulla, where we don’t have enough nets to practice. We have to practice on our own.”There are not many turf cricket in Kashmir. Some [players] go out of state to practice. But over the last one or two years, JKCA has helped us play a lot of matches. So there has been a lot of improvement in our performance.”And people with expertise in the domestic circuit – Ajay Sharma is a Ranji Trophy legend – has only helped. Especially people like Khajuria.Over the course of the ongoing domestic season, Khajuria has cracked 255 in a Ranji game against Maharashtra, 159 against Chhattisgarh in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and 85* against Uttar Pradesh in the [T20] Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy – all of them the highest by a J&K batter in the respective tournaments’ history.”Ajay sir has been asking me to play the long innings,” Khajuria said. “Often, I used to get out in the 30s or 40s. That has stopped happening now. So the mindset has changed. Earlier, the environment of J&K’s dressing room was not like this either. [But] now, everyone talks about winning. We have had [three] different Man-of-the-Match winners across our five victories. Everyone has contributed. Now it is the case of trying to win every match.”The next week could take J&K to new frontiers. They have never made a Ranji semi-final previously and there’s nervous excitement bubbling. How they channel it could determine their road ahead.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are on the verge of appointing their successor to Vitor Pereira as Rob Edwards closes in on a move from Championship side Middlesbrough.

The EFL outfit have already confirmed that their head coach is in talks with the Premier League club over a switch to Molineux, and he did not take charge of their match at the weekend.

It has been reported that he has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Wolves, who are set to pay a fee of around £3m in compensation for the former Luton boss.

The biggest changes Rob Edwards needs to make at Wolves

It is fair to say that Edwards will have plenty of work to do when he gets his feet under the desk at the training ground, as the Old Gold are bottom of the Premier League with no wins after 11 matches.

Per FBref, Wolves are 18th in the division for xG created (9.6) and 20th for goals scored (seven), which shows that the new boss will have to find a way for the team to create more chances and score more goals.

On top of that, the club’s goalkeepers currently rank 20th in the league for post-shot xG minus goals conceded (-4.3). This means that Jose Sa and Sam Johnstone have combined to be the worst two shot-stoppers out of the 20 teams.

Edwards could address both of those problems by switching formations and making two key signings when the January transfer window officially opens for business.

The dream Wolves XI Rob Edwards could build in January

The English tactician played a 4-2-3-1 formation in four of his last five matches at Middlesbrough, per FBref, whilst Wolves have played with three or five at the back in eight of their 11 games, and have not played a 4-2-3-1 at all.

Moving from a formation with five defenders to four could provide the team with more chances to create opportunities at the top end of the pitch, by getting more attacking players in the team in the 4-2-3-1 system.

It will take more than a change in shape to turn the tide, though, and one signing that could make a lot of sense is Hayden Hackney. It was reported in the summer that the club were willing to splash £30m on the England U21 international.

The central midfielder has produced eight goals and five assists in the Championship since the start of last season, per Sofascore, and could add an attacking threat to Wolves’ midfield, playing at the base alongside Andre.

Bringing the English youngster in for £30m in January would provide Edwards with more attacking quality and creativity, as well as a player who already knows his system and way of working, having played under him for Boro.

Another signing that could turn the club’s season around is Lazio goalkeeper Christos Mandas, who is a reported £25m target, as he could solve the shot-stopping issues that Wolves have had.

Dream Wolves XI after January

Position

Player

GK

Christos Mandas

RB

Jackson Tchatchoua

CB

Ladislav Krejčí

CB

Toti Gomes

LB

Hugo Bueno

CM

Andre

CM

Hayden Hackney

RM

Jhon Arias

AM

Joao Gomes

LM

Hee-Chan Hwang

CF

Jorgen Strand Larsen

The Serie A star has fallen foul of a manager change, as Maurizio Sarri came in and preferred Ivan Provedel, but his form in the past suggests that he would be an upgrade on Johnstone and Sa.

Mandas prevented 1.9 goals based on post-shot xG minus goals conceded, per FBref, across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns combined in the

Serie A for Lazio, whilst the two Wolves goalkeepers have combined to concede 4.3 more than expected in the Premier League this season.

The Greek international also prevented 3.6 goals on the same metric across nine appearances in the Europa League last season, per FBref, which suggests that he is a strong shot-stopper who can bail out his defenders on a consistent basis.

Overall, paying £55m to sign Hackney for £30m and Mandas for £25m could significantly improve the team in two key areas that Edwards needs to address, whilst the change in formation could also help to facilitate more attacking play.

Related Gary O'Neil favourite is on borrowed time at Wolves after Edwards arrival

Rob Edwards could look to immediately ditch this Wolverhampton Wanderers flop when he enters the Molineux dug-out.

Posts ByKelan Sarson Nov 9, 2025

It may not be enough to survive this season, as the manager is arriving in a horrendous position, but it could give Wolves their best chance of avoiding the drop, or at least preparing well for a promotion tilt in the Championship next term.

Vincent Kompany insists that his Bayern Munich side will iron out their set-piece weakness before they take on Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Bayern returned to winning ways with a resounding 6-2 victory over Freiburg but went behind on home turf to two early corners as their dead-ball issues came to the fore once more.

Getty Images SportBayern's set-piece struggles magnified in win over Freiburg

Bayern sit top of the Bundesliga after the opening 11 games of the season having claimed 31 points from 33 available. In the process, the Bavarian giants have conceded just eight league goals, the fewest in Germany's top tier this term, as they maintain their seemingly unstoppable march towards back-to-back Bundesliga crowns.

However, of the eight goals they have shipped, six have come from set-piece situations, which is a concern ahead of Wednesday's Champions League game at Arsenal. The Gunners, like Bayern, boast a 100 percent record in European action this season having won their opening four league phase games.

Arsenal sit top of the Premier League table following their opening 11 matches of the season, and have a chance to go six points clear of second-placed Chelsea when they welcome Tottenham to the Emirates on Sunday afternoon. A key reason behind the Gunners rise to top spot in England's top tier has been their proficiency from set pieces.

Mikel Arteta's mean have scored 10 goals from dead-ball situations, more than any other team in the Premier League this season, and their ability to challenge any team from corners of free kicks will pose a huge threat to Bayern in midweek.

AdvertisementKompany 'calm' on Bayern's set-piece issues

The last four goals Bayern have conceded have come from set-piece situations, which their Premier League counterparts will look to exploit on Wednesday night. Bayern boss Kompany, though, insists he is "calm" having been asked whether he is worried about facing set-piece specialists Arsenal in the Champions League.

"I'm calm. We made mistakes in these phases as a team. We shouldn't hide, we should show personality and character to defend them," Kompany said.

"We're also a good team in attacking set pieces, we scored from a corner today. We just have to stay calm and work to get out of this phase and show that we're also good in this department. I have confidence that we'll solve it"

Ultimately, Bayern went on to claim a huge 6-2 victory over Freiburg on Saturday, as goals from Michael Olise – twice – Lennart Karl, Harry Kane, Nicolas Jackson and Dayot Upamecano saw FC Hollywood return to winning ways having been held to a 2-2 draw with Union Berlin prior to the international break.

Getty Images SportBayern boss heaps praise upon Arsenal

Kompany did go on to heap further praise upon Arsenal ahead of next week's meeting, adding: "They're the best team in Europe at set pieces. I think it's a good challenge. I don't know if there are many better teams than Arsenal in Europe at the moment. We're looking forward to the game."

Arsenal's reliance from set-pieces means they have been dubbed 'Set Piece FC', a nickname that supporters have taken in their stride. Indeed, whenever Arsenal have scored from a dead-ball situation, supporters have chanted 'Set Piece again, ole ole!' to celebrate their effectiveness from corners or free kicks.

The Gunners will hope to maintain their good form when they take on Tottenham in the north London derby on Sunday. Spurs haven't won a league game at the Emirates since they came from two goals down to win 3-2 in 2010 as strikes from Gareth Bale, Rafael van der Vaart and Younes Kaboul capped a remarkable turnaround.

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Arsenal receive timely injury boost

And Arsenal have received a timely injury boost ahead of the hectic festive run of games as captain Martin Odegaard nears a return from injury. The Norwegian midfielder has endured a stop-start beginning to the 2025-26 season, with Odegaard presently missing having suffered a knee injury in a home win over West Ham last month.

In his pre-match programme notes, however, Odegaard has admitted his is close to a comeback, stating: "This week I’ve been working really hard on my rehab – it’s going very well. I can feel I’m getting closer every day and getting towards the final stages where it’s a lot more exciting.

"I’ve been doing some pitch work and training, so I really feel like I’m getting there. That’s the best part of the rehab, when you’re getting closer to joining the team, you can do a lot more on the pitch and you can be more aggressive in the rehab. I feel like I’m getting stronger and stronger. I can’t wait to be back now, we’re on a good path and it’s looking good. I’m really excited.

"I guess that’s one of the good things about being injured. You get hungrier and more excited to play football again. That’s the good part of it, I’m desperate to get going again."

Fast bowlers confirm readiness for roles in Australia this winter as champions showcase strength in depth

Vithushan Ehantharajah15-Sep-2025, are more amenable to a reduction, though their members seem minded to disagree.The folly of it all is that this final also serves as a reminder of the wrangle for sporting integrity. This is the first time Surrey and Nottinghamshire have met this season, the pitfall of squaring a 10-team top division into 14 fixtures. Should they both end the season in the top-two spots, it would be the fourth season in a row that county champions and runners-up have squared up just the once.It is a quirk of circumstance given the previous three runners-up have all been different (Lancashire 2022, Essex 2023, Hampshire 2024). And a reflection of Surrey’s dominance and robust squad depth that they’ve prevailed in each of those previous seasons – traits which are no less apparent coming into the final eight days of this summer.Gus Atkinson, now England’s more than Surrey’s, was typically incisive for his 4 for 41. He is likely to be utilised as a load-bearing bowler for the winter’s Ashes, and got the ball rolling with the early removal of Nottinghamshire skipper Haseeb Hameed. But it was Matthew Fisher, brought in to cover for Atkinson’s international duties (and, as it turned out, absences through injury) who ended up leading the line with 5 for 61, his first five-wicket haul for Surrey after four previous such hauls for Yorkshire.Gus Atkinson made the breakthrough in the morning session•Getty Images for Surrey CCC

Fisher’s move down from Headingley to south London was a familiar story – a player hoping a new challenge will reignite a career that had looks to have struck a ceiling. By and large, it has, even if the numbers do not quite tell that story.It took nine innings for Fisher to reach double-figures for his new club, at the end of June, despite stitching together some good spells in that period. His efforts spoke of the promise that had brought about his one and only Test cap, on an unforgiving Bridgetown pitch and in even more unforgiving circumstances, given that he featured on that trip as a (premature) replacement for Stuart Broad and James Anderson.Now that that pair have finally left the scene, the likes of Atkinson and Nottinghamshire quick Josh Tongue have shunted Fisher down the pecking order, to the extent his winter remains free. Could a Lions spot on this winter’s tour of Australia be in the offing? As England look for insurance with their quicks, and with Brendon McCullum confirming that that trip will play a key back-up role for the Ashes, it would make a lot of sense.Fisher was undoubtedly Surrey’s best with the Kookaburra ball – more so than South Australian Dan Worrall who was reared on them – and has added consistency and endurance to his naturally hard length and knack of challenging both edges of the bat.He was originally introduced after 20 overs as the fifth bowler used, by which point Nottinghamshire had made it to 51 for 1. After a five-over spell from the Vauxhall End, he switched to the Micky Stewart Pavillion End and earned a much-needed breakthrough ten balls later.Profitting from extra juice from that end, Fisher went wide on the crease from around the wicket, angling into Freddie McCann then leaving him, clipping the edge on the way. A second leftie was sent back soon after when Ben Slater, composed for his 50 from 95 deliveries, fell victim to a better version of the McCann delivery; fuller, straighter, leaving Slater powerless while doing the needful of protecting his off stump just in case.Those dismissals were the first two of the final eight to fall for just 142, but the collapse felt avoidable. Joe Clarke had played engagingly for 29 before needlessly chasing a wide delivery from Atkinson with an angled bat. Brett Hutton’s unbeaten 30, while motivated by an imminent end to Nottinghamshire’s first innings, demonstrated that the surface still rewarded application, having last been used against Somerset at the end of April.South African keeper-batter Kyle Verreynne was slowly compiling before Fisher, tighter to the stumps, nipped one into middle from an initial line outside off, for a plumb lbw. Though he did receive a bit of tap as Nottinghamshire swung from the hip in pursuit of bonus points – Hutton deposited him over square leg for the innings’ only six – rewards duly came. Tongue’s booming drive brought a fifth catch for Ben Foakes, before Pennington’s wild hack left his front shin unguarded for a second leg-before.Fisher barely celebrated, jarring his right knee as he turned sharply to appeal to the umpire. He soon shook that off, leading the team back into the dressing room, ball aloft. Whatever is to come in the County Championship, both this season and next, Fisher’s present and immediate future looks far more assured.

عاد ماركو أسينسيو، نجم نادي ريال مدريد السابق وفناربخشة الحالي، للحديث عن رحيله من صفوف الفريق الملكي، موضحًا أنه ليس نادمًا على هذا القرار.

أسينسيو وقع مع ريال مدريد عام 2015 قادمًا من ريال مايوركا، حيث استمر اللاعب لسنوات عديدة مع الفريق الملكي، قبل الرحيل إلى باريس سان جيرمان وعدم تجديد عقده مع الميرنجي.

وغادر أسينسيو ريال مدريد عقب نهاية موسم 2023، حيث لم يجدد اللاعب عقده ليوقع مع باريس سان جيرمان في صفقة انتقال حر.

ولم ينجح أسينسيو مع باريس سان جيرمان، حيث وقع على سبيل الإعارة في بداية العام مع نادي أستون فيلا، ومن ثم الانضمام بشكل نهائي إلى فناربخشة.

وأكد أسينسيو في مقابلة مع صحيفة ماركا، أنه لم يرحل عن صفوف ريال مدريد بسبب المال.

اقرأ أيضًا .. “عضلات بلا مهارات”.. صحفي إسباني يوضح نقطة ضعف ريال مدريد الحقيقية

وقال أسينسيو عن رحيله عن ريال مدريد: ”لا أندم على ذلك، ففي عامي الأخير فزت باللقب الذي كنت أفتقده مع ريال مدريد وهو كأس الملك”.

وأضاف أسينسيو في حديثه: ”يجب أن تعرف متى تغادر، شعرت بمودة كبيرة من الجماهير، من فلورنتينو بيريز، ومن المدرب، لكنني شعرت أن الوقت قد حان للرحيل”.

وأوضح: ”لم يكن قرار رحيلي عن ريال مدريد رياضيًا أو ماليًا، بل قرارًا شخصيًا، أردت وضع أهداف جديدة لأنني كنت بحاجة إلى تغيير في حياتي ومسيرتي المهنية، سيبقى ريال مدريد دائمًا بيتي، لأنني مدريديستا منذ صغري، لكنني شعرت أن الوقت قد حان لتجربة شيء جديد”.

وعن رئيس ريال مدريد، فلورنتينو بيريز، أردف أسينسيو: “مع فلورنتينو، والآن نتحدث عن الوداع، عشنا لحظة جميلة وحميمة. كان وداعًا رائعًا في الملعب ولكن قبل المباراة الأخيرة لي مع ريال مدريد قضيت لحظة جميلة مع فلورنتينو على انفراد، وأتذكرها بشغف كبير”.

واختتم أسينسيو: ”كنا وحدنا أنا وبيريز في غرفة واحدة، في لحظة خاصة جدًا نتحدث عن الحياة، عن كيفية انتقالي لريال مدريد، عن عائلاتنا، كان الأمر مذهلًا. لطالما جمعتني علاقة مميزة بفلورنتينو، لطالما عاملني معاملة حسنة للغاية، وهو شخص عزيز جدًا علي”.