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Records tumbled as Sri Lanka and South Africa played out 127 scoreless balls between them

Sampath Bandarupalli03-Jun-202477 – Sri Lanka’s total against South Africa in their Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 clash in New York is their lowest in men’s T20Is. Their previous lowest was 82 all out against India in 2016 in Vishakhapatnam.It is also the lowest total by any team against South Africa in men’s T20Is. The previous lowest was Afghanistan’s 80 all out during the 2010 T20 World Cup.7 – Runs conceded by Anrich Nortje on Monday, the fewest by a bowler completing their four-over quota in the Men’s T20 World Cup. The previous fewest was eight runs, by three bowlers – Ajantha Mendis (vs Zimbabwe in 2012), Mahmudullah (vs Afghanistan in 2014) and Wanindu Hasaranga (vs UAE in 2022).Related

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Nortje also conceded the fewest runs by a South Africa bowler in their four overs in a men’s T20I.3 – Hauls of four or more wickets for Nortje in T20 World Cups, the joint-most by any bowler at the tournament, alongside Saeed Ajmal and Shakib Al Hasan.4 for 7 – Nortje’s figures are the best for South Africa at the Men’s T20 World Cup, bettering his own record of 4 for 10 against Bangladesh in 2022.Nortje’s figures are also the best by any bowler against Sri Lanka in the men’s T20 World Cup and the third-best in all men’s T20Is against them.Most dots in a men’s T20 WC match•ESPNcricinfo Ltd20 – Dot balls bowled by Ottniel Baartman, the joint-most by a bowler in a Men’s T20 World Cup game. Kemar Roach bowled 20 dot balls against Ireland in 2010, while Ajantha Mendis did the same during his six-wicket haul against Zimbabwe in 2012. Baartman’s 20 dots are also the most for South Africa in a men’s T20I.1 – Nortje and Baartman became the first pair to concede less than ten runs apiece in an innings at the Men’s T20 World Cup (while bowling their full quota of four overs).Only twice before have a pair of bowlers from Full Member teams done this in men’s T20Is – Chris Mpofu and Ray Price for Zimbabwe against Canada in 2008, and Ajaz Patel and Rachin Ravindra for New Zealand against Bangladesh in 2021.11 – T20 World Cup matches played by Nortje, taking at least one in each. It is now the longest wicket-taking spree for any bowler in the Men’s T20 World Cup. Nortje bettered Ashish Nehra, who has taken at least one wicket in all ten T20 World Cup matches.4.42 – The scoring rate in this South Africa vs Sri Lanka match was the lowest for a Men’s T20 World Cup game (min: 150 balls). None of the previous 252 T20 World Cup matches lasting 25-plus overs finished with a run rate below five an over.127 – Dot balls played out on Monday were the most for a Men’s T20 World Cup match. The previous highest was 123 dots in the 2007 game between South Africa and India, and by Oman and Namibia during last night’s tie.Sri Lanka’s batters played out 72 of the 127 dots, the joint-most by a team in a Men’s T20 World Cup game, alongside Afghanistan against England in 2012.

Pant added 222 runs with Ravindra Jadeja for the sixth wicket to lift India from 98 for 5

Sampath Bandarupalli01-Jul-2022222 Partnership runs between Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja. It is India’s joint-highest partnership for the sixth or a lower wicket in Tests from a team total of less than 100 runs. Mohammad Azharuddin and Sachin Tendulkar added 222 runs for the sixth wicket against South Africa in 1996 from a team score of 58 for 5.1 The 222-run partnership by Pant and Jadeja is India’s joint-highest stand for the sixth or a lower wicket in an away Test. Azharuddin and Tendulkar’s partnership of 222 runs against South Africa also came away from home – in Cape Town.ESPNcricinfo Ltd4 Number of pairs in Test cricket with two double century stands for the sixth and lower wickets, including Pant and Jadeja. They added 204 for the seventh wicket against Australia in the 2019 Sydney Test.4 out of five centuries by Pant in Test cricket have come outside Asia. Only two India batters had more Test 100s outside Asia before turning 25 – seven by Sachin Tendulkar and five by Sunil Gavaskar.89 Balls taken by Pant for his hundred. It is the second-fastest century for India in Test cricket in England. The fastest is by Azharuddin, who needed 87 balls for his hundred at the Lord’s in 1990.131.53 Pant’s strike rate during his 111-ball 146. It is the second-fastest century for India in terms of strike rate in Test cricket. Azharuddin had a strike rate of 141.55 during his 77-ball 109 against South Africa in the 1996 Kolkata Test.ESPNcricinfo Ltd93 Balls needed for MS Dhoni to bring up his century against Pakistan in 2006 in Faisalabad, the fastest century by an Indian wicketkeeper in Tests, before Pant’s effort in Birmingham. It was the first of the six Test hundreds for Dhoni, the only player with more Test hundreds as an India wicketkeeper than Pant (5).87.5 Pant’s average while batting at No .5 in Test cricket. Across the seven innings Pant has batted at this position, he’s scored 525 runs with a century and four fifties, all at a strike rate of 98.68.161.53 Pant’s batting strike rate in Tests against Jack Leach. He has scored 147 runs off 91 balls against the left-arm spinner, all while being dismissed once. Since the start of 2002, only one batter has had 100-plus runs against a bowler in Tests, at a higher strike rate than Pant – 175.00 by Shahid Afridi against Irfan Pathan (147 off 84 balls).

Angels owner Arte Moreno is reportedly eyeing franchise legend Albert Pujols as the team's next manager, according to a report from Sam Blum, Katie Woo and Ken Rosenthal of

Pujols, who played 10 of his 22 years in Los Angeles, remains on the team's payroll on a 10-year, $10 million personal services contract that was inked as part of the $240 million deal that he signed with the Angels before the 2012 season.

Pujols has assisted the team in Spring Training over the last few seasons and has also worked in the Dominican Republic for the organization's prospect academy.

Pujols told reporters last March that he would be interested in managing at some point.

"Yeah, I think. Why not? I think if the opportunity is right one day, I think I'll be ready for that," Pujols said.

Perhaps the time is now for Pujols to take over the reigns from Ron Washington, who was let go earlier this week.

Bennett and Raza added 61 off 44, while Evans’ three-for meant Sri Lanka were bowled out for 95

Madushka Balasuriya20-Nov-2025Sri Lanka’s batting imploded in the face of a disciplined Zimbabwe attack, as they fell to a 67-run defeat in the second match of the men’s T20I tri-series in Rawalpindi. They were bowled out for 95, chasing a target of 163. For Zimbabwe, it was the perfect response to their opening game defeat to Pakistan.The wickets were spread among each of the six bowlers used by Zimbabwe. Richard Ngarava was excellent picking up figures of 2 for 15, but he was outdone by the ever-reliable Brad Evans, who ended with match best figures of 3 for 9.For Sri Lanka, only Dasun Shanaka, the stand-in skipper, produced an innings of any promise, during a backs-to-the-wall 34 off 25. The only other player to reach double digits was Bhanuka Rajapaksa, who struck a pained 11 off 18 playing his first T20I since January.Zimbabwe, who had been put in at the toss, had a much better time with the bat, led by Brian Bennett (49) and Sikandar Raza (47). It wasn’t a perfect innings as they limped to the finish, but it proved to be more than enough in the end. Wanindu Hasaranga picked up innings-best figures off 3 for 32, while debutant Eshan Malinga also impressed with 2 for 27.Bennett and Raza set the toneBennett, as he has been doing increasingly of late, gave Zimbabwe a fast start inside the powerplay as he and Tadiwanashe Marumani put on a 26-run opening stand in a little over three overs. Sri Lanka though struck back, through Maheesh Theekshana and Malinga, to share the opening period with Zimbabwe on 46 for 2 after six oversSikandar Raza added 61 off 44 balls with Brian Bennett•Pakistan Cricket BoardHowever, Raza pushed himself up the order, likely in response to how their innings had fallen apart against Pakistan two nights ago, and together with Bennett set about putting up a 61-run partnership off just 44 deliveries.While Bennett fell for 49 for a second game running, the pair had ensured a solid platform as Zimbabwe’s 100 came up inside the 14th over. Raza continued on unbothered, on his way to 32-ball 47, inclusive for three fours and two sixes. With Raza at the crease, 180 was on the cards, and it would take a fantastic running catch in the deep from Shanaka to end his innings.With Bennett and Raza both back in the dugout, Zimbabwe’s innings closed out with a relative whimper; they struck 22 runs in the final three overs to sneak past the 160-mark. Malinga added to his impressive debut with a double-wicket penultimate over, while Dushmantha Chameera also gave away just 12 runs bowling two of the final three overs.Sri Lanka’s house of (batting) horrorsChasing 163, after the powerplay Sri Lanka had found themselves on 25 for 2, their lowest powerplay total in 14 T20Is in 2025. Zimbabwe’s combination of tight lines and lengths, and solid plans, had short-wired the thinking of the Sri Lankan batters.Pathum Nissanka had chipped one to midwicket in the opening over and Kusal Perera skied one to short fine leg in the next, but what followed was truly calamitous.Dasun Shanaka walks back after being dismissed•Associated PressThe returning Rajapaksa and Kusal Mendis ate up 26 deliveries in their 19-run stand, and such was the pressure being built by the likes of Ngarava, Tinotenda Maposa and Evans during this period, that the Lankan batters were starved of boundary deliveries and forced to take ever more risky singles.It was one such ill-fated run that brought an end to the partnership, as Rajapaksa struck one straight to cover before setting off on a non-existent single. By the time he looked up to realise his partner still at the other end, Rajapaksa was already halfway down. Not even a wayward throw to the wicketkeeper could save Kusal Mendis, who had made a belated dash for safety.An over later, Rajapaksa was at the non-striker’s end turning down a fairly straightforward single and nearly had Shanaka run out – a wicket spared only by a truly horrendous throw to the keeper.It wasn’t long before Rajapaksa himself was dismissed, clean bowled looking to hit out. It meant Sri Lanka had lost their top four inside the opening 10 overs – it was five midway through the 11th when Raza snuck one past Kamindu Mendis. Only Shanaka showed some defiance, but when he edged one behind from Ryan Burl, Sri Lanka’s faint hopes went with him. The rest of the batting dragged the game to the death, before Evans cleaned up the innings off the final delivery.

Matt Renshaw says he’d love to open the batting for Australia in the Ashes series, but it’s not the be-all, end-all in his life

AAP22-Oct-2025

A Zen-like Matt Renshaw has freed himself of all thoughts about opening the batting for Australia in the looming Ashes series.Renshaw says he’s oblivious to speculation of being recalled to the Test team to face England.”Obviously I want to be there, it would be remiss of me not to say that,” he told reporters in Adelaide on Wednesday. “But I try and stay away from it as much as possible.”Related

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Renshaw, who made 21 not out on ODI debut on Sunday, was so surprised to be summoned to Australia’s squad for the current ODI series against India, he had to Google when and where the games were scheduled.The 29-year-old is also unaware how many runs are being scored by other contenders for Australia’s much-debated opening slot. It’s a deliberate ploy to free his mind, and a far cry from the 20-year-old Renshaw who made his Test debut in 2016.”There’s been times in my career where I come off after a Shield game, and obviously all the Shield games are on at the same time, and you’re looking at the scorecard, you’re looking at different names, seeing how they went,” he said.”Now, like the first Shield game [this season], I couldn’t tell you who scored runs in other games.”Knowing that it doesn’t really matter in terms of someone else scoring runs, it doesn’t matter to how I’m going to go out and play my game.”Matthew Renshaw made a century in the first Shield game of the season•Getty Images

Being a father of a two-year-old girl and five-month-old boy was now Renshaw’s validation, rather than earning a Test recall or  judging himself on his run-scoring.”A lot of the time you try and force a few things, you see someone else gets runs, and you go: ‘I need to score runs because then I’m going to be picked for Australia, then I’m going to become a good person’,” he said.”That whole mentality when you’re young is that’s how you view yourself as a person.”Whereas now I go home and I’ve got to change nappies, I’ve got to put kids to bed, I’ve got to try and calm screaming babies down.”When you’re young, you go home, you have got nothing to do, so you’re just sitting on your phone scrolling.”I hide. I don’t have the Cricket Australia app, I don’t try and look at any news, I hide all the cricket stuff on my Instagram so I don’t see it.”Renshaw made his Test debut after just 12 first-class games, struck a century in his fourth Test, but has played only 14 Tests overall – the most recent in 2023.But a century for Queensland in the first Sheffield Shield game of the season has the left-hander in the Ashes frame. Former Australia captain and one of the selectors who first picked him for Test cricket, Greg Chappell, believes Renshaw is the man who should open in Perth.Renshaw, however, is taking notes from how fellow Queenslander and Australian opener Usman Khawaja handled his time away from Test cricket.”Once you sort of realise that it might not happen again, you talk to people,” Renshaw said.”I am really close with Uzzy, he thought his Test journey was over and look at him now. I try and talk to him about he’s going about it.”It’s just amazing, it’s almost like once you let go of that one side of playing for Australia, that’s what I need to do.”I have two kids now, they’re a huge part of my life, so it’s knowing that cricket’s not like my sole reason, it’s everything else.”If I get everything else in order, the cricket will just take care of itself.”

Manchester United are reportedly monitoring the former Manchester City and Real Madrid star Robinho's son and are "not ruling out" a transfer for the Santos teenager in January. Although a deal mid-season is considered unlikely, United are refusing to shut the door on a move and are prepared to revisit negotiations at the end of 2025 if they feel the timing is right.

• Old Trafford scouts set sights on the next Robinho

  According to , Santos have yet to receive any formal offers for the youngster, but are fully aware that interest is intensifying across Europe. Apart from United, Inter Milan, Espanyol and Galatasaray are among the clubs reportedly tracking the teenager, whose emergence in the Santos first team has generated optimism that he could follow the footballing path once set by his father. He has already featured in 14 senior matches for Santos, registering two assists. He made his first professional start in the derby against Palmeiras, playing more than 60 minutes and displaying a level of composure that belied his years. Although Santos were beaten 2-0, the youngster earned praise from Vojvoda, who believes the foundations of a top-level career are already visible.

  "I liked his first half performance, but we didn't have as much possession in the second half," he said. "He played a decent game, especially considering it was his first as a starter. He'll continue to grow. I spoke with him and told him he'll be a great player. He needs more statistics, assists, goals, but he's on the right track."

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  Will Santos part ways with Robinho Jr.?

  Robinho Jr. was part of Santos’ victorious 2025 Sao Paulo Under-20 Championship squad. However, financial considerations may ultimately force Santos to part with one of their brightest prospects. Internal discussions at the club acknowledge that selling academy talents could help stabilise their accounts at the end of the season, a frustrating reality that could open the door to European suitors. Interest in Robinho Jr has inevitably revived discussion about his father, Robinho, whose career ended under the cloud of one of football’s darkest scandals. The former Brazil international was convicted in 2017 for his involvement in the gang rape of a 23-year-old Albanian woman at a Milan nightclub in 2013. The Italian Court of Cassation upheld the nine-year sentence in 2022. Having exhausted avenues in Italy, Robinho is now serving his sentence in Brazil at Tremembe prison, near Sao Paulo, after the conviction was transferred. 

  Speaking to , Justice Luiz Fux said: "The declaration of opposition is only admissible when there is ambiguity, obscurity, contradiction or omission in the sentence or ruling, as provided for in article 619 of the CPP. The defence is unreasonable. The Plenary of this Supreme Court, by majority, expressly rejected, in this specific case, the principle of non-retroactivity provided for in Article 5, XL, of the Federal Constitution, considering it inapplicable in the present case."

• United’s AFCON headache: Mbeumo and Amad set to depart

  United’s interest in Robinho Jr. also aligns with squad planning ahead of a crucial period in the season. The Red Devils are expected to lose Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo to the Africa Cup of Nations, which begins in Morocco in late December and runs until mid-January. Mbeumo is set to join Cameroon, while Amad is likely to receive the call from the Ivory Coast as they attempt to defend their AFCON crown. Their dual absence will hit United hard, depleting their attacking options at a time when fixtures traditionally come thick and fast. Speaking ahead of United’s weekend trip to Nottingham Forest, manager Ruben Amorim was frank about the difficulty of the situation, but insisted it could also open doors for squad players desperate for minutes.

  When quizzed about AFCON, Amorim said: "We will have time to suffer. We are going to struggle a little bit, but we already knew it's going to be an opportunity. When I watch the training, there are players that should be playing, but it's hard with one game to take some players from the team, because they are doing well also during the training in games. So other players are going to have the opportunity to help us.

  "They are understanding the way we want to play, so if we are improving on that, the change of characteristics is not going to change the idea or the momentum of the team. But let's use Amad and Bryan in these games and we will see in general."

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  What next for United?

  After an impressive October, United are again going through a slump. Two successive draws against Nottingham Forest and Tottenham, followed by a recent defeat to Everton, have put the pressure back on Amorim. They are currently placed 10th in the league standings with 18 points from 12 matches. The Red Devils are now desperate to turn their fortunes, but face a Crystal Palace side at Selhurst Park who are fighting for a top-four finish.

Ex-England seamer takes six wickets before classy century builds healthy overnight lead

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay24-Sep-2025Sussex 228 for 5 (Coles 102, Simpson 62*) lead Worcestershire 123 (Lategan 41, Robinson 6-68, Unadkat 4-43) by 105 runsOllie Robinson produced a reminder of his capabilities with a stunning six-wicket haul as Sussex took charge on day one of their Division One clash against Worcestershire.Taking two wickets in the first over of the match, Robinson went on to finish with season-best figures of 6 for 68 as he and Jaydev Unadkat combined to skittle Worcestershire for 123.James Coles then registered a measured century during a dominant afternoon session for the visitors, in which skipper John Simpson made 62 not out as Sussex finished the day 228 for 5, leading by 105 runs. Earlier, Dan Lategan (41) top-scored for the home side, with contributions from Matthew Waite and Gareth Roderick the only other scores of note.Returning to action for the first time since Saturday’s One Day Cup final triumph, already relegated Worcestershire were brought back down to earth with a bump, as a searing spell from Robinson saw the former England seamer take four wickets in the first hour of the match.Youngster Rehaan Edavalath was caught behind with the third ball of the match, before Pears skipper Jake Libby’s off stump was sent cartwheeling after facing just one ball as the Pears fell to 1 for 2.19-year-old Lategan provided a classy counter-attacking cameo for the hosts, easing the ball through the vacant offside whenever the opportunity arose, but Robinson continued his unrelenting start to the morning, claiming two further scalps, including that of first-class debutant Isaac Mohammed who was pinned lbw. A sobering opening hour was rounded off with the dismissal of Rob Jones, who suffered the same fate, leaving his side in a heap at 36 for 4.Lategan continued to regroup, but Worcestershire’s woes deepened with Gareth Roderick (22) caught behind after an encouraging start to his innings off the bowling of Unadkat. Robinson then collected his fifth wicket of a superb spell by removing the key man, Lategan, for his resolute 41.Robinson almost secured his sixth wicket in a morning session dominated by the bowlers, but the umpires were not convinced Simpson had held onto a rebound catch behind, as lunch was taken with Worcestershire 91 for 6.Unadkat picked up where he left off after the resumption as Ethan Brookes became his second victim with a regulation catch provided to Coles at slip.Unadkat took his season tally of wickets to 13, after removing Tom Taylor caught behind for nine and trapping Ben Allison in front without scoring as the Pears’ landslide continued.Robinson completed his six-fer with the wicket of Waite, who was the last man out for 33 as Worcestershire were dismissed for 123.Worcestershire hit back in resilient fashion as Ben Allison led the way in an inspired early spell, taking three wickets to help reduce Sussex to 67 for 4.The seamer first trapped Hughes lbw for 24, then took a stunning one-handed caught-and-bowled to remove Carter, before bowling Alsop for just one. At the other end, Taylor took his 51st Championship wicket of the season to drag the hosts back into the contest.Simpson and Coles led the Sussex revival however, dominating an afternoon session that saw the fifth-wicket pair add 90 runs before tea, with Coles reaching a fluent fifty in the process.Both batters moved past 1,000 first-class for the season during the evening session, with Coles reaching his century from 105 balls, before he was bowled by Ben Gibbon as Simpson and bad light closed out a dominant day for the visitors.

MLB commissioner Rob Manfred discussed a handful of topics with reporters on Wednesday at league headquarters, including the latest with the Oakland Athletics' proposed relocation to Las Vegas.

The A's played their final game at the Coliseum in the East Bay in September and plan to play the next three seasons in Sacramento as their proposed ballpark is built on the site of the Tropicana Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

However, shovels have yet to hit the ground to begin construction of the stadium that is supposed to be ready for Opening Day in 2028. Questions remain about the A's finding the funds to start constructing the $1.5 billion project.

Manfred affirmed Wednesday the A's planned move to Las Vegas remains as scheduled.

"I understand there seems to be some sense of doubt that persists out there, but [owner] John Fisher is completely committed to the process," Manfred said [via ]. "The building’s been demolished. The site’s available. They are on track for a 2028 opening. They’ve gone through the process of demonstrating that whether or not he takes local [investment] partners, he has the capacity to build the stadium. We’re full speed ahead."

A's executive Sandy Dean said in October that Fisher plans to invest $1 billion of his own money into construction of the stadium, which is expected to begin next spring.

The A's plan to present the proof that they have the necessary funds at an authority meeting on Dec. 5.

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O Palmeiras conquistou uma vitória importante por 1 a 0 sobre o Goiás, nesta sexta-feira (15), com direito a gol de Breno Lopes aos 50 minutos do segundo tempo. Poderia ser um feito épico a ser lembrado, mas o atacante decidiu provocar a torcida em sua comemoração e acabou recebendo uma resposta atravessada da principal organizada do clube. Não à toa, Abel Ferreira teve que comentar a situação, mas amenizou os efeitos.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasBreno Lopes provoca torcida do Palmeiras e recebe resposta após gol da vitóriaPalmeiras16/09/2023PalmeirasVÍDEO: Assista aos melhores momentos de Palmeiras x GoiásPalmeiras15/09/2023PalmeirasATUAÇÕES: Breno Lopes volta a ser herói do Palmeiras em vitória no BrasileirãoPalmeiras15/09/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Em entrevista coletiva após a partida, o técnico do Verdão puxou a responsabilidade para si e lembrou que ele mesmo já errou muitas vezes ao perder o controle de suas emoções. Abel aproveitou também para reforçar a importância da torcida para o desempenho do time.

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

– Primeiro é dizer que precisamos dos nossos torcedores, quando estamos todos juntos, apoiar, nós precisamos deles, eles sabem que temos um elenco bem curto e agora com a lesão de Dudu, menos um jogador, nós precisamos deles todos e precisamos muito que lees nos ajudem. O primeiro a cometer erros aqui sou eu, já fui expulso muitas vezes, por muitas vezes não controlei minhas emoções, apesar de que agora estou diferente, bem melhor nesse aspecto, mas isso faz parte do futebol, as emoções, isso que é o mais importante, o apoio dos nossos torcedores.

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+ ATUAÇÕES: Breno Lopes volta a ser herói do Palmeiras em vitória no Brasileirão

Em outro recado ao torcedor, Abel Ferreira pediu para que os torcedores entendam a situação da equipe, que hoje conta com elenco curto e acabou de perder Dudu, por isso é preciso ter todos os jogadores possíveis. O treinador também afirmou que o mais importante de tudo é que Breno marcou o gol da vitória.

– Entender que eu mesmo cometo erros, perco o controle das emoções, mas nós precisamos de todos os jogadores, temos um elenco curto, e precisamos estar cada vez mais unidos aqui em casa. Nossos torcedores são a alma da nossa equipe, valeu a pena pagar o ingresso e ver o gol no último segundo. O importante é que o Breno fez o gol da vitória e era isso que nós precisávamos.

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Por fim, Abel Ferreira exaltou Breno Lopes, falando que ele joga menos minutos do que gostaria, mas ainda assim é decisivo. Além disso, o técnico português lembrou que o atacante já faz parte da história do clube.

– Vocês sabem que ele é um jogador que não tem jogado quanto eu queria, mas é um jogador que tem seu nome marcado aqui na história do clube, é um jogador que eu confio, que eu gosto. Contem a quantidade de gols que ele fez com cinco, dez minutos que eu coloco ele. Isso é o mais importante para nós.

+ Breno Lopes provoca torcida do Palmeiras e recebe resposta após gol da vitória

O Palmeiras volta a campo na quinta-feira (21), diante do Grêmio, em Porto Alegre, pela 24ª rodada do Brasileirão. O Verdão é o segundo colocado do campeonato, com 44 pontos, sete atrás do líder Botafogo.

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Abel FerreiraBreno LopesPalmeiras

“Right now it looks like a mess”. Those were the words of Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, speaking after his former side slipped to a frustrating 1-0 defeat away to Galatasaray on Tuesday evening.

Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty proved enough to clinch all three points for the Turkish giants in that Champions League tussle, with the trip to Istanbul a particularly damaging one amid notable injury blows for both Alisson and Hugo Ekitike.

While the reigning Premier League champions remain top of the pile domestically, this has been a challenging week for Arne Slot’s side, having been deservedly beaten by an in-form Crystal Palace at the weekend.

This is certainly no time to panic, amid a difficult seven days in what has largely been a flawless tenure for the Dutchman to date, although with the warning signs having already been there in recent weeks, something needs to change.

As Carragher alluded to on CBS, the Merseysiders “haven’t gained anything going forward, but they’ve lost a lot defensively” following the summer squad overhaul, with the backline looking all at sea thus far.

With just two clean sheets in ten games in all competitions in 2025/26 – the last of which came away at Burnley – the Reds need to find a way to plaster over the cracks that are emerging…

Konate & Frimpong's display vs Galatasaray

While there were few who could hold their heads high on Tuesday night, among those who particularly underwhelmed were Ibrahima Konate and Jeremie Frimpong, with the pair enduring another worrying display against the Super Lig side.

In the case of Frimpong, there may well be concerns brewing over his ability to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back for the long-term, with Slot even favouring him in a more advanced role, in order to afford Mohamed Salah a well-earned rest.

That switch certainly didn’t pay off, however, with the diminutive Dutchman hooked on the hour mark after a desperately disappointing showing, having lost the ball on 16 occasions from just 35 touches, as per Sofascore, while winning just two of his nine attempted duels.

Such lightweight quality hardly inspires any confidence that the ex-Bayer Leverkusen man can flourish when moved back into a full-back berth, with Slot perhaps wise to avoid pairing the summer signing with the hapless Konate in that right channel.

Indeed, the Frenchman endured another sorry outing up against the rampant Osimhen, having notably gifted possession to the Nigerian in the second half, after a slack pass back was intercepted by the ex-Napoli striker.

As noted by the Liverpool Echo’s Paul Gorst, the former RB Leipzig man ‘looks worryingly out of form of late’, with the failure to get the Marc Guehi deal over the line looking set to haunt Slot and co over the coming months.

Even despite the lack of alternatives, Slot needs to find a way to take Konate – and Frimpong too – out of the firing line, with the same perhaps true of this season’s Alexander-Arnold…

The new Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool

While ‘Trent’ may now be old news at Anfield, it is worth noting that the struggles of the injury-hit Real Madrid man last season now appear to be being repeated in this new-look Liverpool side.

There is a sense that the Reds romped to the title in 2024/25 in spite of the Englishman, not because of him, with the contract rebel never seemingly managing to win over Jurgen Klopp’s successor in the dugout.

Indeed, while the attacking quality remained – with his 14 goals and assists eclipsing his tally of 13 from the previous campaign – the 26-year-old’s defensive woes were plain to see.

Substituted off on 16 occasions in the top-flight, the academy graduate notably made four errors leading to a shot, while being dribbled past 1.7 times per game, as per Sofascore, with Slot certainly not wholly impressed by what he saw:

That scenario now looks to be repeating itself with the case of £40m man, Milos Kerkez, with the Hungarian youngster also emerging as something of a liability at full-back, following his summer switch from Bournemouth.

Much like Alexander-Arnold, the 21-year-old – who registered five Premier League assists last season – is a real asset in an attacking sense when at his best, with that form also seeing him create eight ‘big chances’ under Andoni Iraola’s watch.

Unfortunately, that quality is yet to be seen in a Liverpool shirt, with Kerkez still waiting to register his first goal involvement for his new side, after making ten appearances in all competitions.

Targeted on the opening weekend by former teammate Antoine Semenyo, the rampaging left-back has regularly come under the microscope since then, not least following his early withdrawal amid the threat of a red card at Turf Moor.

It was also his errant clearance which led to the throw-in that saw Palace clinch victory at the weekend, while in midweek, the £75k-per-week menace won just three of his seven attempted duels, while failing to provide a single successful cross or long ball.

It is, of course, still early days, with the at-times hot-headed defender also perhaps not aided by the woes of those ahead of him, having yet to strike up a fruitful partnership with Cody Gakpo down that left flank.

That being said, as was the case with Alexander-Arnold’s demotion behind young Conor Bradley on occasion last term, Kerkez may find himself ousted for a more steady presence in the form of the long-serving Andy Robertson.

Like Trent, at his best, the former Cherries starlet can be such a weapon from the flanks with his wicked delivery and attacking instincts. Like Trent, too, however, at his worst, he can be a costly figure in a defensive sense for Slot’s side.

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By
Angus Sinclair

Oct 1, 2025