“If you’re having more injuries or the trend is more injuries than usual, then you’ve got to review it”

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jan-2021

“When you’re getting a lot of injuries, that would be a negative; we’re going to try to see if there’s any answers for it”•Getty Images

The Indian Test party in Australia is so badly affected by injuries – impact and otherwise – that they might be struggling to put a proper, fit XI on the field for the final Test, from Friday in Brisbane. Justin Langer, the Australia coach, feels that the IPL – the timing of it to be exact – is to blame, and pointed to the players Australia had missing during the white-ball games earlier in the summer.”… I’ve said this is going to be the survival of the fittest this summer. It’s really interesting how many injuries there’s been throughout this summer,” Langer said at a press interaction on Wednesday. “We suffered through it through the white-ball series if you remember, and through the Test series. I can’t help but think that the IPL this year really probably wasn’t ideal timing for anyone, certainly for such a big series like this.”India reached Australia without Rohit Sharma (for the first two Tests) and Ishant Sharma (out for the whole series) after they picked up injuries during the IPL. Since then, they have lost Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja to injuries sustained while batting, as well as Umesh Yadav (calf strain) and KL Rahul (injured at training), while R Ashwin, Hanuma Vihari and Mayank Agarwal are carrying injuries too.Related

WATCH (India only) – Ishant to Jadeja – the long injury list

Australia sweating on Pucovski and Warner's fitness for Brisbane

As for Australia, they didn’t have David Warner and Marcus Stoinis, both of whom were key players for their respective teams at the IPL – played between September and November this year because of Covid-19 – for most of the short-format games because of injuries. Warner, in fact, missed the first two Tests against India too before returning for the third despite not being completely fit.”I love the IPL, I look at the IPL now how I used to look at county cricket for our young players, who go and play county cricket and it helps their cricket development enormously,” Langer said. “I think it’s the same with the IPL with our players now, it helps their white ball development. But the timing of it because of what happened with Covid, probably wasn’t ideal, and I just wonder whether that’s having an impact on the injuries we’re seeing for both teams throughout the summer. I’m sure we’ll review that.”Langer stressed that with so many cases of soft-tissue injuries, the matter should be considered a trend, and addressed accordingly.”We’ve got some high-performance people and the medicos and we said after the one-day series that we should review it,” he said. “If you’re having more injuries or the trend is more injuries than usual, then of course you’ve got to review it. I’m sure we’ve got Andrew Weller at Cricket Australia, he’s on the case at the moment. A lot of these things you can say they’re one-off incidents, but when it becomes a trend, India and Australia have had more injuries.”Some have been a broken arm, Ravi [Jadeja] broke his thumb the other day, so they’re a bit unusual. But the soft-tissue injuries we’ve got to look at and I’m sure we’ll review that like we do with most things post-series. When you’re getting a lot of injuries, that would be a negative we’re going to try to see if there’s any answers for (it). There might not be, but there might be.”The next edition of the IPL is scheduled to take place at its usual window, between April and May this year.

Arsenal are believed to be admirers of a £160,000-per-week midfield alternative to the heavily-linked Real Sociedad star Mikel Merino, and Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is especially keen.

Arsenal plotting summer move for Mikel Merino

Widespread reports from both England and Spain have claimed that the north Londoners have their eyes on Merino to upgrade Arteta's midfield, coming after the departure of Mohamed Elneny on a free and amid the uncertain future of Thomas Partey.

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Partey's contract expires in under 11 months and he has been widely tipped to leave Arsenal this summer, after making just 14 Premier League appearances last season. In the event of the Ghanaian's departure, Arteta will need another midfielder to replace him.

The club sought to extend Jorginho's contract by an additional year to provide Arteta with a Declan Rice partner for 2024/2025, but another capable body is needed in that area as Arsenal look to challenge Man City in another Premier League title race.

Merino, who could be available for as little as £20 million with his Sociedad contract expiring next year, has emerged as a key midfield target. Sam Dean of The Telegraph backs that Arsenal are plotting a move to sign Merino in the coming weeks, with the 28-year-old fresh off the back of an excellent Euro 2024 campaign with Spain.

The former Newcastle United midfielder scored the winner against hosts Germany in their 2-1 quarter-final and played a key role in their run to glory at the expense of England last Sunday.

Appearances

45

Goals

8

Assists

5

Bookings

14

Minutes played

3,601

Transfermarkt

Merino also made 45 appearances in all competitions for Sociedad last season, scoring eight goals and assisting five others in that time, with his potential price tag alerting a host of elite European sides.

It won't be easy for Arsenal sporting director Edu to strike a quick deal, as the likes of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are also believed to be targeting Merino.

Arsenal interested in signing Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes

According to GiveMeSport, in terms of potential Merino alternatives, £160,000-per-week Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes has admirers at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal are apparently interested in signing Guimaraes and Arteta is a "huge" admirer, but there are doubts over whether a deal could be done given the potential cost of an operation now that the Brazilian's release clause has expired.

"He was brilliant. He deserved it [player of the match]. He scored two wonderful goals. His all-round performance, I thought, was magnificent," said Alan Shearer on Guimaraes after his performance in a 3-2 Magpies win over Nottingham Forest earlier this year.

"Everything good about Newcastle, he was at the heart of it. Whether he was keeping the ball, protecting the ball, adding that little bit of quality with his passing, his movement, his ability to find space that not many others can.

"He's got a great relationship with the fans and rightly so. He's a lovely man and a very, very good footballer."

لا يزال مستقبل الدولي الأوروجواياني، رونالد أراوخو، الأكثر إثارة للجدل في مكاتب نادي برشلونة الإسباني خلال فترة الانتقالات الشتوية الجارية.

اللاعب الأوروجواياني لديه عرض كبير من يوفنتوس للانضمام إلى النادي الإيطالي، خلال فترة الانتقالات الصيفية الجارية.

طالع أيضًا.. موندو ديبورتيفو توضح تطورات إصابة رافينها أمام ريال مدريد

صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو” الإسبانية، أكدت بأن روبرت ليفاندوفسكي استغل الاحتفالات في ملعب الجوهرة المشعة بعد فوز برشلونة ببطولة كأس السوبر الإسباني، وحاول السيطرة على أراوخو.

وحسب ما تم التقاطه بواسطة كاميرات قناة “Movistar” الإسبانية، كان ليفاندوفسكي مبتسمًا ووضع ذراعه حول عنق أراوخو، وقال له: “عليك البقاء، رونالد”.

كما كشفت الصحيفة الإسبانية، عن دور جافي الذي تحدث مع اللاعب في الممر المؤدي لغرف خلع الملابس، وحاول إقناعه بالاستمرار في برشلونة، وعدم الرحيل إلى يوفنتوس.

وعاد أراوخو من إصابة أبعدته عن الفريق منذ الصيف الماضي، بعد أن أصيب في مباراة منتخب بلاده أوروجواي أمام البرازيل ببطولة كوبا أمريكا.

وارتبط أراوخو بالرحيل إلى يوفنتوس، بسبب عدم الاعتماد عليه أساسيًا منذ عودته الشهر الماضي، ولكن بعد أن أصيب إينييجو مارتينيز واحتمالية غيابه لمدة شهر ونصف على الأقل، تعززت فرص بقاء الأوروجواياني.

Victor Osimhen, Jonathan David and Julian Alvarez are just three names that have been linked with a move to Chelsea during the ongoing transfer window.

From these respective links, it’s evident that new boss Enzo Maresca wants a world-class centre-forward to give himself the best possible chance of returning to the Premier League’s top four.

However, the Blues didn’t look short of goals in England’s top four last season, scoring 77 goals – the fifth-highest tally of any side in the division.

Cole Palmer topped the goalscoring charts with 22 goals in his first season at Stamford Bridge, with Nicolas Jackson achieving a total of 14 in his first campaign in English football.

Despite the duo’s respective tallies, the Blues are still eyeing a new talisman, with the club set to rival another Premier League side for a very talented goalscorer.

Chelsea interested in £86m forward this summer

According to Football Transfers, Chelsea are set to rival Arsenal for the signature of Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres this summer.

The 26-year-old Swedish international registered a staggering 29 goals and ten assists in his 33 matches in Liga Portugal last season – making him the division’s top scorer by eight goals.

Football Transfers' report states that the two Premier League sides are the only options for Gyokeres this window after Italian outfit Napoli pulled out of the race for his services.

Antonio Conte’s side have undoubtedly been priced out of a move for the former Coventry City man, after Sporting set a £86m price tag to prise him away from the Portuguese club ahead of the 2024/25 campaign.

Chelsea’s interest in the striker could spell the end of their desire to sign another forward, with Gyokeres undoubtedly a better option for Maresca next season.

Why Gyokeres would be a better option than Isak for Chelsea

In recent weeks, rumours have been circulating over a potential move for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, with Eddie Howe’s side wanting a fee of over £100m for his star man this summer.

The fee touted is hardly a surprise, given his goalscoring tally from last season, which saw the 24-year-old score 21 times in his 27 Premier League appearances.

His tally would undoubtedly provide the added goalscoring threat Maresca is looking for, but the club would be better off opting for a move for Sporting striker Gyokeres instead.

He managed to finish the previous campaign with 16 more goal contributions than the Newcastle ace, whilst also averaging more combined goals and assists per 90.

With the Blues wanting an out-and-out centre-forward, Gyokeres, who's been dubbed a "powerhouse" by analyst Ben Mattinson, would prove to be a better addition, winning over double the amount of aerials compared to Isak – giving Maresca the focal point that he’s craving at Stamford Bridge.

How Gyokeres & Isak compare in 2023/24

Statistics

Gyokeres

Isak

Games

33

30

Goals + assists

39

23

Shots per 90

3.4

2.9

Aerials won

49%

20%

Progressive carries

114

68

Goals + assists per 90

1.2

0.9

Stats via FBref

This season is a pivotal one for Chelsea as they aim to close the gap created by numerous sides above them in recent campaigns, having missed out on Champions League qualification yet again in 2023/24.

With the club already splashing out over £100m on two players under Todd Boehly’s watchful eye – in the form of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez – it’s crucial that should they spend a similar figure this summer that they identify the right talent, with Gyokeres undoubtedly more of a better fit for the Blues.

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West Bromwich Albion fans will be eagerly anticipating any developments of new arrivals into the building at the Hawthorns, with much of the talk this off-season in Baggies quarters centring on a number of departures.

It doesn't have to be all doom and gloom from a West Brom perspective, however, with a new and fresh squad next campaign perhaps working in their favour, ahead of another promotion push being on the cards.

The West Midlands outfit could even sign a player with the same sublime trickery as Grady Diangana this transfer window, if reports are correct, without having to break the bank to do so.

West Brom looking at entertaining free-agent

According to a recent report from Birmingham World, the Championship play-off semi-finalists from last season are ready to 'lock horns' with rivals Birmingham City over the signature of soon-to-be free agent Josh Windass, who is out of contract with Sheffield Wednesday imminently.

Looking nailed on to sign a new deal at Hillsborough at one point, after performing valiantly for the Owls during their relegation worries, talks between the 30-year-old attacking midfielder and the South Yorkshire side have since stalled, leading to West Brom's keen interest forming.

The report further suggests that the Baggies have even made contact, with Carlos Corberan's men potentially having the upper-hand in any potential transfer scrap, owing to their status in the Championship, compared to Birmingham's now League One positioning.

What Windass could offer West Brom

With speculation also suggesting that Diangana could be off this summer, Windass might well be the natural successor West Brom need if the Congolese attacker does end up leaving, having enthralled and entertained fans at Hillsborough in a similar manner over his many years at Wednesday, to that of Diangana back at the Hawthorns.

Much like the former West Ham United winger too, Windass has equally frustrated those in South Yorkshire across his long-standing association with Danny Rohl's men, often going missing in games.

Yet, it's his ability to conjure up a slice of magic in clutch moments, like his audacious strike against Blackburn Rovers above, that will have piqued the interest of Corberan and Co the most, especially if they end up landing Windass – who was described as being a "game-changer" for Wednesday on his day last season by Rohl – for nothing.

Games played

25

36

Goals scored

6

7

Assists

2

8

Scoring frequency

293 mins

341 mins

Shots per game

2.1

1.2

Despite Diangana bettering Windass with his overall output for the season, the 30-year-old forward could still offer the same energy in attack as that of the West Brom number 11 and give even more to the cause, with Windass averaging more shots per game last season when contrasted with Diangana, alongside impressively scoring at a more rapid pace at every 293 minutes.

Even if the 26-year-old were to stick it out at the Hawthorns ahead of next season, Windass would still be a worthwhile capture to make, with the former Accrington Stanley man also able to offer more depth down the wings.

Windass has played down either flank on occasion for Wednesday, which will help in areas that certainly need more numbers filling in at the moment at West Brom, with Matt Phillips no longer being on the books in the West Midlands one notable departee.

West Brom supporters will be apprehensive about their side's chances of going one better and actually tasting promotion next campaign, but that shouldn't mean the entertainment levels at the club suffer, with Windass guaranteed to get fans of his new club off their feet, if playing to the best of his ability.

He could leave: West Brom must avoid Kipre repeat with their future star

West Bromwich Albion won’t want to lose any more players for nothing.

ByKelan Sarson Jun 25, 2024

Ballon d'Or winner Rodri has revealed that Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior would have been his third choice for the 2024 Golden Ball.

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Rodri reveals who he'd have picked ahead of Vini in Ballon d'Or voteWas unfazed by Real Madrid's absence in ParisSpaniard out until next year with ACL injuryFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The Manchester City star became the first midfielder since Luka Modric to win the prestigious Ballon d'Or award this year as he beat Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior to the Golden Ball. Los Blancos, as a club, decided to boycott the ceremony just hours before the event as they had come to know about the outcome before.

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The Brazilian's snub in Paris has divided opinions in world football, however, Rodri claimed that he was unfazed by the Spanish giants' absence at the ceremony. He also went on to claim that Vinicius Jr. would not have been his second choice for the award this year if he had the opportunity to vote.

WHAT RODRI SAID

Speaking to , the Manchester City midfielder said: "I felt a bit of disbelief when, at the time of the presentation of the trophy, half the room shouted 'Vinicius, Vinicius!'. In any case, there was a lot of respect for me from the audience because afterwards they all stood up and applauded me.

"The Ballon d'Or has rewarded consistency, which is the most difficult thing in football. I am not the one to say whether I deserved this award or not. In 2023 I thought I could win it for my great season at City and this year I think I did even better."

He added: "Winning it changes your life a bit, it's a before and after. I've been congratulated by a lot of people, one of the ones I'm most excited about is [Andres] Iniesta, who should also have a Ballon d'Or in his showcase because he's been the best footballer in our country's history."

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The 28-year-old might have sparked yet another controversy as he revealed that Vinicius Jr. would have been his third choice for the award, adding: "I would have chosen [Dani] Carvajal second and Vinicius third."

When asked if Real Madrid's boycott hurt him, the City star said: "It didn't hurt me that they weren't present. It was my moment, with my family, and the last thing I thought about was the people who hadn't come to the gala.

"Did I receive any congratulations from Madrid? There were some from former players of this club like Nacho and Joselu, with whom I shared a dressing room," said Rodri, who made it clear that "I didn't miss Vinicius not congratulating me. I care about my people, my family and my club. I wouldn't have done what Real Madrid did by not showing up to the gala, but there's no point in thinking about it any more."

Whilst Arsenal look set for a summer full of big-name signings, it looks as if a team are now monitoring one of the Gunners' stars ahead of a potential move.

Gunners set to make room for incoming stars

The big news out of north London in recent weeks has concerned the imminent arrival of Riccardo Calafiori. A report by Fabrizio Romano last week suggested that Arsenal have reached an agreement to sign the Bologna defender with a fee in the region of €45million (£38million) cited.

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With the Italian defender close to being confirmed as an Arsenal player, it is now thought that Jakub Kiwior could be shown the door in order to make room for the new arrival.

Joining the Polish defender on the Gunners' list of stars deemed surplus to requirements is Eddie Nketiah. The striker has recently been linked with a move to West Ham and would likely be sold to fund Arsenal's pursuit of Sporting CP talisman Viktor Gyokeres.

With the Gunners clearly not afraid to let players leave this summer, it appears that a club is actively assessing a move for another Arsenal attacker.

Al-Ahli eye Premier League shopping spree

According to a report in the Daily Mail, Al-Ahli are monitoring Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus ahead of a potential summer move. The outlet claims that the Saudi Pro League side are also looking at Tottenham Hotspur's Richarlison as they look for a player to replace the departing Allan Saint-Maximin.

The report goes on to state that the club will assess both players before choosing one to sign during the transfer window. If Al-Ahli end up opting for Jesus over his compatriot and good friend, the chance to secure a significant fee for the Brazilian may prove an enticing one for the higher-ups at the Emirates.

Jesus arrived in north London in a £45million move from Manchester City in the summer of 2022. Whilst the 26-year-old has had his moments in an Arsenal shirt, many of the Gunners' faithful may be happy to see a portion of the fee recouped and his hefty £265,000-per-week salary off the books.

Throughout the course of last season, Jesus struggled for form, finding the back of the net on just four occasions in the league. With Kai Havertz now the favoured option at centre-forward and the Gunners linked to a number of new strikers, it could be a good opportunity to call time on Jesus' Arsenal career.

Despite his struggles, it was the striker's relationship with current Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta that kept him in the picture at the Emirates, with the Spaniard speaking of the chaos Jesus brings to his side back in September:

"In certain areas of the pitch, I love it. In others, I hate it. So it’s where you produce that chaos. He draws a lot of attention from opponents with the way he plays and creates space for others. That’s a big quality of his."

Whilst things have not worked out as imagined for Jesus at the Emirates, this summer could see him get a new lease of life while Arsenal receive a significant return on their investment.

Having bowled Australia out for 369 by lunch, India made a solid start before losing Rohit Sharma against the run of play

Karthik Krishnaswamy15-Jan-2021Rain washed out the final session of day two with the fourth Test poised intriguingly. Having bowled Australia out for 369 by lunch, India made a solid start to their reply before Rohit Sharma fell against the run of play to put the hosts on top.India will resume at 62 for 2, with Cheteshwar Pujara, who has already batted for more than an hour, and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease.With the pitch at the Gabba offering pace and true bounce but little in the way of seam movement, the main question at the start of India’s innings was how their batsmen would deal with Australia’s discipline on or around off stump. Sharma and Shubman Gill saw out the first six overs, bowled by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, without too much discomfort – other than a Starc delivery that jagged away off a crack to beat Sharma’s outside edge – before a bowling change brought Australia their breakthrough.The bowler and the method of dismissal were entirely predictable. Through this series, Pat Cummins has forced the right-hand batsmen to play at his deliveries in the corridor with his pronounced inward angle, and then got the ball to straighten off the seam to find their outside edges. He did just that with his second ball, and Gill, who tends to stay leg-side of the ball at most times, felt for the ball and edged to second slip.The same fate could have befallen Pujara next ball, but his softer hands ensured the ball fell short of the fielder. Aside from a similar moment later in Cummins’ spell, Pujara was assured at the crease, soaking up the good balls while showing a willingness to push firmly down the ground as well as open his bat face and look for runs behind square on the off side. He had shelved the latter option completely in the third Test in Sydney, where the pace and bounce were far less certain than on this pitch.Grey clouds hover close to the Gabba around tea time•Cricket Australia via Getty ImagesSharma, meanwhile, was looking entirely at ease with the bowling and the conditions, getting right behind the line to defend, and driving handsomely down the ground when the bowlers erred on the full side.Having moved to 40 with one such drive off Green, he picked up another boundary in the next over, punching Nathan Lyon through the covers when he dropped short. Just when he seemed on course for a match-defining contribution, however, he stepped out to Lyon and holed out attempting a lofted hit. It was a familiar moment for those who have followed his career – he’s been out in similar fashion to Moeen Ali in Southampton in 2014, Dane Piedt in Delhi in 2015 and Lyon in Adelaide during India’s 2018-19 tour of Australia – and one whose repercussions could yet be felt through the rest of this match.Australia lost their five remaining wickets during the morning session while adding 95 to their overnight total, in 28.1 overs. Much like the entirety of day one, it was a session to please or displease neither team.The overnight pair of Cameron Green and Tim Paine extended their sixth-wicket stand from 61 to 98 without too much trouble when the ball was still new, with Green looking particularly impressive while driving down the ground. But soon after Paine had brought up his half-century, a loose shot pried the door open for India. He drove away from his body at a Shardul Thakur outswinger, with no movement of the feet, and edged to second slip.Within the space of the next two overs, India seemed to have burst through the opening, as Washington Sundar bowled Green, finding natural variation to beat his outside edge when the allrounder played for turn, and Thakur had Cummins lbw playing all around a low full-toss.Having reduced Australia to 315 for 8, however, India’s bowlers showed their inexperience, bowling too short or too full in an effort to blast out the tail. Lyon and Starc took full toll in a ninth-wicket stand of 39 off just 40 balls. Even Josh Hazlewood, the No. 11, played a couple of spanking off-side drives before T Natarajan came back into the attack and knocked back his off stump with a near-yorker.

MatériaMais Notícias

Sexto colocado no Campeonato Brasileiro, com 33 pontos, o Corinthians se classificaria para a fase preliminar da Libertadores, caso a competição terminasse hoje – e a área de promovidos pode crescer, dependendo dos resultados da Libertadores, Sul-Americana e Copa do Brasil.

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Diante deste cenário, o gerente de futebol do Corinthians, Alessandro Nunes, admitiu que a meta do clube é a classificação para a principal competição da América do Sul. No entanto, o cartola tirou a responsabilidade das contas do técnico Sylvinho, onde a cobrança pelos resultados tem sido maior, por parte da torcida, e a desmembrou para todos os departamentos do clube.

-Por mais que você tenha individualizado para o Sylvinho, a meta não é dele, é do Corinthians, de todos. Todos têm parcelas importantes aqui dentro. Temos confiança tremenda no trabalho do professor Sylvinho, da comissão técnica, do Alex, do Fernando (Lázaro), Doriva, se estende aos departamentos, mas a meta é nossa, do Corinthians, torcedor. Com trabalho, buscar pontos, buscar melhor posição na tabela, evoluir em tudo, ela se estende em todas as áreas e departamentos do clube – disse Alessandro em entrevista coletiva virtual concedida nesta quinta-feira (31).

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-Estamos acompanhando diretamente o trabalho do Sylvio e da comissão técnica. O desempenho tem sido entregue. Precisamos deixar o imediatismo no futebol de lado e dar um pouco de tempo para que os resultados possam chegar. Recentemente completamos quatro meses de trabalho que tiveram muitas saídas e agora reforços, que em algum momento vão ajudar. Estamos vendo do Sylvio um trabalho de ajuste para construir uma equipe tiveram 19 saídas, entre empréstimos e definitivos, quatro atletas que jogaram juntos já deram resultados – afirmou o gerente de futebol.

Alessandro, no entanto, não vê pressão nesta reta final de temporada para que o Timão consiga cumprir a meta de classificação à Libertadores. E ainda vê o retorno do torcedor ao estádio como o grande reforço corintiano para a temporada.

-Nosso maior reforço nem sequer chegou e, muito em breve, será anunciado. Estamos a conta gostas. Existe uma expectativa mais especial possível. Sylvinho está entregando muito bem e desejamos que essa continuidade e longevidade e garantir os resultados que fatalmente acontecerão – disse o ex-lateral do Corinthians.

Neste fim de semana, o Time do Povo visita o Red Bull Bragantino, em Bragança, em confronto direto por uma vaga na Libertadores. O Massa Bruta tem o mesmo número de pontos que o Corinthians, mas cinco gols a mais de saldo que os colocam na frente na tabela em uma posição.

O confronto no estádio Nabi Abi Chedid ainda será sem público, ainda que a CBF e os clubes tenham entrado em um consenso para o retorno do torcedor às arenas já na 23ª rodada. O impeditivo ficará por conta do governo de São Paulo que só autoriza a retomada de pessoas em eventos esportivos a partir desta terça-feira (5).

The second India-England Test in Chennai will not be played behind closed doors as the BCCI has informally given permission to the Tamil Nadu Cricket Assocation (TNCA) to open its gates for spectators, up to a 50% capacity. The I,J, and K stands of the MA Chidambaram Stadium will likely be opened to public, pending Tamil Nadu government clearance, for the second Test starting February 13. The ticket details and standard operating procedures for crowds will be released when formal approval arrives.The development came in the wake of the Indian government revising its guidelines pertaining to spectators at outdoor sport in the country last weekend. “For outdoor sports events spectators will be allowed to full seating capacity,” was what Indian ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports said in a circular updated on January 29. The circular, titled ‘Standard Operating Procedures for opening up of Stadia for sports events’, revised the ministry’s previous guidelines issued on December 26 which had stated spectators can be allowed at 50% capacity for outdoor sports.*Related

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It is understood that TNCA had approached the BCCI to allow fans up 50% of the ground’s capacity during the second Test. Media personnel are also likely to be allowed at the stadium, albeit from the first Test itself, should the BCCI approve these measures formally. Neither spectators nor media personnel were allowed at the seven venues where India’s only domestic tournament so far this season – the recent Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy – was held.If spectators are indeed allowed, it would signal a change in course for both the BCCI and the TNCA, who had recently informed its members that the MA Chidambaram Stadium would not allow crowds for the two Tests. Nothing official has been communicated on the subject yet. “We are not going to comment on speculation. We are still waiting to hear from the BCCI in terms of their protocols for the forthcoming Test series,” a representative of the England touring party said.Meanwhile, all members of the India and England Test squads have returned negative Covid-19 tests and have been cleared to exit their bio-secure bubbles for training in the lead up to the first Test, which starts February 5. The two teams had been in mandatory six-day quarantines after arriving in Chennai. While England will train, as per schedule, from Tuesday afternoon, India will begin their preparations on Monday evening. A team statement on Monday confirmed: “The Indian Cricket Team completed their quarantine period today in Chennai. Three RT-PCR tests for Covid-19 were conducted at regular intervals and all tests have returned negative results. The team will have their first outdoor session today from 5:00 PM and nets sessions will begin from tomorrow.”