UAE Pro League: Crespo’s Al-Ain suffer damaging derby defeat to Al-Wahda

Russian winger Zelimkhan Bakaev scored his first goal for Al-Wahda in the 2-0 win over Al-Ain. (X/@AlWahdaFCC)
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Updated 17 December 2023
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UAE Pro League: Crespo’s Al-Ain suffer damaging derby defeat to Al-Wahda

  • 10-man Al-Wasl maintain lead after a hard-fought victory over Ittihad Kalba

A damaging Abu Dhabi Clasico continued Hernan Crespo’s mixed start at Al-Ain, leaders Al-Wasl weathered a stringent title test and spiralling Emirates Club’s misery extended in ADNOC Pro League’s matchweek 11.

Saturday’s finale pitted “the Boss” against bitter-rivals Al-Wahda, who prevailed 2-0 on enemy territory despite gaining just 26-per-cent possession courtesy of ruthless strikes by on-song Syria forward Omar Khrbin and Russia winger Zelimkhan Bakaev.

A sublime free-kick and selfless assist earlier in the evening from outstanding summer recruit Nicolas Gimenez edged 10-man Wasl past dogged Ittihad Kalba 2-1, in a fiery contest.

Al-Jazira, meanwhile, began life minus the dismissed Frank de Boer with a 1-0 win at Emirates, who slumped to bottom after a seventh-successive defeat and fellow-promoted outfit Hatta’s goalless stalemate against Al-Bataeh.

Former Flamengo teenager Mateusao got both goals when reigning champions Shabab Al-Ahli Dubai Club rebounded from ADIB Cup quarter-final elimination with a 2-1 triumph at Baniyas and ex-Porto attacker Moussa Marega also doubled up during rejuvenated Sharjah’s 4-1 thrashing of lowly Khor Fakkan.

A breakthrough week for Alfred Schreuder at Al-Nasr culminated in a dominant 3-0 victory at Ajman, highlighted by goals from Morocco maverick Adel Taarabt and ex-Italy forward Manolo Gabbiadini (two).

Here are Arab News’ top picks and a talking point from the latest action.

Player of the week: Zelimkhan Bakaev (Al-Wahda)

A fan favorite is emerging.

Eyebrows were raised this summer when Wahda secured Bakaev’s loan. The senior international had netted twice from 33 appearances at Zenit St. Petersburg in a successful debut campaign, containing Russian Premier League and Super Cup successes.

This acumen, however, was clear for all to see at a febrile Hazza bin Zayed Stadium.

The 27-year-old wide man’s first ADNOC Pro League goal in nine run-outs was netted with a flourish, controlling a 40-yard pass at pace and serenely slotting low past UAE No1 Khalid Essa to double Wahda’s lead.

Such quality is no surprise. It is, however, the incessant attacker’s all-round game and application that stands out.

Questions are always asked about commitment levels from big-name loanees. Bakaev has long since answered them.

A tally of three tackles, according to SofaScore, equalled tigerish team-mate Allan, plus bettered combined totals for center-backs Lucas Pimenta and Alaeddine Zouhir (one each). Bakaev also won five of seven ground duels.

Such competitiveness, allied with decisive ability, was essential for Arno Buitenweg’s cagey game plan to succeed.

Wahda are now unbeaten in seven fixtures, sit fourth and are into ADIB Cup’s last four. Bakaev has played a big role in their turnaround.

Goal of the week: Luan Pereira (Sharjah)

Sharjah wasted no time conjuring some magic against Khor Fakkan.

Within 33 seconds of kick-off, their naturalized winger Luan Pereira applied the decisive touch to a flowing move.

His left-footed half-volley at the edge of the penalty box followed from an imaginative, volleyed back-heel assist by prodigious Guinean starlet Ousmane Camara.

Smiles are returning to third-placed Sharjah faces. Pinched thoughts of ADIB Cup and AFC Champions League exits have dissipated amid consecutive 4-1 top-flight triumphs.

They now head into Wednesday’s rescheduled heavyweight clash with Shabab Al-Ahli.

Coach of the week: Alfred Schreuder (Al-Nasr)

Schreuder had appeared an awkward fit at the Middle East football’s sleeping giant.

A winless opening two outings contained curious substitutions and frustrating results for the coach who’d suffered high-profile 2023 sackings at Ajax and Al-Ain. Gratifying ADIB Cup progress against the latter has been, however, further bolstered by emphatic victory at Ajman.

It featured a brace for Gabbiadini, plus goal and assist from Taarabt.

Order has been long absent at Nasr, the UAE’s oldest club who boast one of Asia’s grandest arenas in the heart of Dubai.

An expected victory versus Emirates Club next weekend would build momentum ahead of the winter transfer market and belief his philosophy can be inculcated during a lengthy Asian Cup break.

Crespo already feeling Al-Ain’s inherent pressure

The buck stops with you, when you’re “the Boss.”

An iconic playing career has been no shield to strident early criticism for Crespo in the Garden City. Dissenting voices only grew louder after a pained defeat to Wahda, the side “Ainawi” were least like to be beaten by.

The ex-River Plate, Parma, Inter Milan and Chelsea center forward must swiftly show last month’s merciless call to dismiss Schreuder was justified. He’s at the helm of a club who, clearly, will not hang about waiting for results to turn.

But, what judgments can be made at this stage?

Saturday’s was a peculiar reversal. Al-Ain boasted 74-per-cent possession, won the attempts count 14-8, endured a rash moment by naturalized center-back Kouame Auton for Khrbin’s opener and were hit on the counter via Iran midfielder Ahmad Nourollahi’s visionary pass from deep for Bakaev’s superb second.

Under Crespo, Al-Ain have thrashed champions Shabab Al-Ahli then dropped points in a draw at Kalba and a loss versus Wahda, sliding from third to fifth. In the cups, three points were accrued in two AFC Champions League dead rubbers and his predecessor inflicted undoubtedly satisfying ADIB Cup last-eight elimination.

The previous regime won 12 of 14 matches in all competitions, prior to a shock removal.

Crespo has been in management since 2014. The highs of leading Defensa y Justicia to their opening international trophy by winning the 2020 Copa Sudamericana and Al-Duhail’s 2022-23 treble are matched by lows, such as 7-0 humiliation by Al-Hilal in the AFC Champions League semifinals and exiting Sao Paulo when 13th in Brazil’s Serie A.

Imposing consistency is key. Al-Ain have demonstrated their patience can be in short supply.


Chelsea, Lyon and Roma stay perfect with victories in Women’s Champions League

Updated 18 October 2024
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Chelsea, Lyon and Roma stay perfect with victories in Women’s Champions League

  • Lyon defender Wendie Renard stole the show as her header found the back of the net early on in her 118th game in the competition
  • Chelsea struck early in another winning performance under new coach Sonia Bompastor, who joined from Lyon

LONDON: Chelsea, Lyon and Roma all stayed perfect in the Women’s Champions League by cruising to away victories on Thursday.

Roma routed Galatasaray at Istanbul 6-1, Chelsea beat Twente in the Netherlands 3-1 and eight-time champion Lyon won 2-0 at Wolfsburg.

Real Madrid claimed their first victory of the campaign by easing past Celtic 4-0.

Roma and Lyon both have six points in Group A. Two-time champions Wolfsburg and Galatasaray, the first Turkish team to reach the group stage, have no points.

In Group B, Chelsea lead with six points, with Madrid and Twente on three and Celtic last bottom without a point.

Renard strikes on Popp’s day

Wolfsburg striker Alexandra Popp made her 100th competition appearance — becoming only the second player to reach the mark but it was Lyon defender Wendie Renard, the only one who has played more, who stole the show.

Renard’s header found the back of the net early on in her 118th game in the competition.

US international Lindsey Horan netted from the penalty spot in the second half.

Lyon are the competition’s record eight-time champion but last won the trophy in 2022. It was runner-up last season to Barcelona.

Roma rout

In a matchup between the Italian and Turkish champions, Roma dominated in Istanbul.

Summer signing Hawa Cissoko scored in the seventh minute to mark her debut game in the competition. The France defender who transferred from West Ham headed home off Manuela Giugliano’s corner.

Valentina Giacinti made it 2-0 in the 24th minute when she was left unmarked near the spot to head in Verena Hanshaw’s cross.

Giugliano failed to convert from the spot in the first-half stoppage time but Emilie Haavi got Roma’s third with a right-footed blast past goalkeeper Gamze Yaman early in the second.

Giugliano finally found the back of the net from close range for a 4-0 lead before Andrea Staskova scored the consolation goal for the hosts. Roma substitutes Marta Pandini and Alice Corelli also scored.

Blues win again under Bompastor

Chelsea struck early in another winning performance under new coach Sonia Bompastor, who joined from Lyon.

Agnes Beever-Jones put the Blues ahead with a long-distance deflected strike in the seventh minute and Maika Hamano made it 2-0 a short time later by lifting the ball over goalkeeper Olivia Clark from outside the area.

Substitute Guro Reiten added the third in the second from the spot just past the hour mark.

On Saturday, Chelsea beat city rival Arsenal 2-1 in the Women’s Super League.

Real Madrid bounce back

Real Madrid scored three second-half goals in 11 minutes against Celtic in Group B.

The Spanish team had lost to Chelsea 3-2 in the first round and drew with Atlético 1-1 in the Madrid derby over the weekend.

Caroline Weir fired a long-range left-footer from outside the box into the far top corner in the seventh minute.

The visitors kept if close until the 72nd minute, when Signe Bruun headed home the second goal followed eight minutes later by Caroline Moller’s lob of goalkeeper Kelsey Daugherty for a 3-0 lead. Linda Caicedo then converted from the penalty spot.

It’s back-to-back losses for Scottish club Celtic, making their debut in the group stage. They have yet to score.
 


Inter Miami star Lionel Messi bags inaugural MARCA America award

Updated 18 October 2024
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Inter Miami star Lionel Messi bags inaugural MARCA America award

  • The award recognizes Messi’s championship-laden career — one with a record 46 trophies won for club or country, and at least 56 other awards on the individual level
  • For Messi, no title outshines the 2022 World Cup with Argentina that helped cement his legacy among the sport’s greatest players

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida: Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi added another award to his collection on Thursday.

Messi became the first recipient of the MARCA America Award, presented by the Spain-based media company. The award recognizes Messi’s championship-laden career — one with a record 46 trophies won for club or country, and at least 56 other awards on the individual level.

“It has been quite the journey,” the Argentine superstar said in Spanish during a moderated question-and-answer session at Chase Stadium, Inter Miami’s home field. “We have experienced so many beautiful things but also complicated moments. In 20 years not everything is beautiful. You cannot win all the time.”

For Messi, no title outshines the 2022 World Cup with Argentina that helped cement his legacy among the sport’s greatest players. However, the 37-year-old Messi has won plenty and still feels the drive to continue adding titles. Similar to his titles with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, Messi already has helped Inter Miami win hardware since he joined the MLS club in July 2023.

Although limited to 18 MLS matches this season because of an ankle injury and national team commitments, Messi has 17 goals and 15 assists to help lead Miami to the 2024 Supporters Shield. Miami will have home-field advantage throughout the MLS Cup playoffs which begin next week.

“I was able to achieve the biggest prize, which is the World Cup,” said Messi, who had three goals and two assists in a 6-0 Argentina romp past Bolivia in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday. “It is the trophy all of us want when we start playing and I managed to fulfill my dream. We won many titles in Barcelona, Paris. Now we are here with the objective to fight hard for another title.”

Messi’s contract with Inter Miami runs through next season. And, after his recent goal-scoring performance on Tuesday, Messi could remain energized in his commitments with Argentina through the next World Cup cycle.

“I still have a deep love for this sport and I will continue to aspire to win more titles,” Messi said. “At this level, you have to enjoy things day by day.”

Inter Miami has one regular-season match left, coming at home Saturday against New England. If Inter Miami win it would set the MLS single-season points mark with 72, one more than New England had in 2021.


Real Madrid up and running in Women’s Champions League with Celtic thumping

Updated 17 October 2024
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Real Madrid up and running in Women’s Champions League with Celtic thumping

PARIS: Real Madrid bounced back from their opening loss to Chelsea by thrashing Celtic 4-0 in the Women’s Champions League on Thursday, while Roma made it successive wins by putting six past Galatasaray.
Scotland international Caroline Weir curled home a brilliant left-footed strike from outside the box into the top corner to give Real Madrid a seventh-minute lead.
The hosts had to wait until the 72nd minute to double their advantage against a stubborn Celtic through Signe Bruun’s header.
Caroline Moller came off the bench and added a wonderful third with a 30-yard lob, before Colombian star Linda Caicedo rounded off the scoring with a penalty.
Real Madrid, bidding to avoid a third straight group-stage exit, moved level on three points after two matches with Chelsea and Twente, who meet later Thursday, in Group B.
Six different players scored as Roma continued their flying start to Group A with a 6-1 rout of tournament debutants Galatasaray in Istanbul.
Wolfsburg, who lost to Roma in their first game, host record eight-time champions Lyon later.


Monaco aiming to last in Ligue 1 title fight with PSG

Updated 17 October 2024
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Monaco aiming to last in Ligue 1 title fight with PSG

  • The principality club were thrilling champions in 2017 with a teenage Kylian Mbappe in their ranks
  • They were runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season

PARIS: Monaco have had a fine start to the season at home and in Europe, and are hoping to last the pace in the Ligue 1 title race ahead of a stiff test of their credentials against Lille this weekend.
The principality club were thrilling champions in 2017 with a teenage Kylian Mbappe in their ranks but have not managed to repeat those heroics despite four podium finishes in the seven seasons since.
However, they were runners-up to Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1 last season and went into the recent international break top of the table, two points clear of the reigning champions.
Under Austrian coach Adi Huetter, Monaco have won six of their seven Ligue 1 matches so far, the sole exception being a 1-1 draw at home to Lens, when they were denied victory by a stoppage-time penalty.
They have also got off to a good start in their first Champions League campaign in six seasons, beating Barcelona 2-1 at the Stade Louis II before coming from two goals down to draw at Dinamo Zagreb.
Monaco have been helped by some sound close-season recruitment, in particular the arrival of young Senegal star Lamine Camara in midfield to make up for the sale of French international Youssouf Fofana to AC Milan.
The emergence of exciting young talents Eliesse Ben Seghir and Maghnes Akliouche is significant too, while the departure of prolific captain Wissam Ben Yedder may ultimately be beneficial.
Ben Yedder, who scored 98 Ligue 1 goals in five seasons, is currently on trial for sexual assault and is battling alcoholism.
The next week will say much about Monaco’s long-term prospects however, with Lille’s visit on Friday followed by a Champions League meeting with Red Star Belgrade and then a derby against Nice.
“It is a fact that we have started the season very well but it was the same situation at this point last year,” Huetter pointed out. Monaco were top after seven games last season.
“We have some big opponents coming up and for me Lille are one of the best teams in the league.”
Eight-time champions Monaco have also been dealt a blow with the news that United States striker Folarin Balogun will be out for two months after suffering a dislocated shoulder in the team’s last game, a 2-1 win at Rennes.
This weekend’s opponents Lille, champions in 2021, are fifth and recently beat Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The trip to the Mediterranean for them will be followed by a journey to Spain to play Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

The midfielder, 31, was so impressive on Brest’s run to a surprise third-place finish last season that he was named in Ligue 1’s team of the year.
An untimely injury — a stress fracture of the fibula — prevented him from leaving the Brittany club during the close season when a lucrative move to a more glamorous name seemed on the cards.
He then played no part in Brest’s first eight games of this campaign but returned as a substitute in their last match, against Le Havre two weeks ago.
Now he is in line to feature in Saturday’s Brittany derby against Rennes — a club he might have joined last season — and will hope to start in Wednesday’s Champions League clash against German champions Bayer Leverkusen.

21 — Leaders PSG have scored 21 goals in Ligue 1 so far this season, an average of three per game, suggesting Kylian Mbappe’s departure is not being too keenly felt.
6 — PSG’s Bradley Barcola is Ligue 1’s top scorer with six goals. He also scored for France in this month’s Nations League action, netting in a 4-1 win over Israel.
4 — Mason Greenwood has gone four games without scoring after netting five goals in his first three appearances for Marseille.

Fixtures (times GMT)
Friday
Monaco v Lille (1845)
Saturday
Brest v Rennes (1500), Saint-Etienne v Lens (1700), Paris Saint-Germain v Strasbourg (1900)
Sunday
Le Havre v Lyon (1300), Auxerre v Reims, Nantes v Nice, Toulouse v Angers (all 1500), Montpellier v Marseille (1845)


Klopp ‘aura’ will boost Red Bull, says Leipzig coach Rose

Updated 17 October 2024
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Klopp ‘aura’ will boost Red Bull, says Leipzig coach Rose

  • Rose said his addition was “a real bonus and a great signing“
  • “His aura and expertise will benefit and help us”

BERLIN: RB Leipzig coach Marco Rose said Jurgen Klopp, who has been appointed head of football at parent company Red Bull, had the “expertise and aura” to boost the club.
Former Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund and Mainz boss Klopp is set to start a new role as head of football operations at Red Bull, which owns the RB Leipzig, Salzburg and New York clubs, from 2025.
Rose, who played under Klopp at Mainz for six years and has previously spoken about his influence on his coaching career, said his addition was “a real bonus and a great signing.”
“His aura and expertise will benefit and help us,” Rose told the Bundesliga website. “He didn’t just win titles but also went through tough times.
“We were relegated at Mainz. He didn’t win the title in his first or second year at Dortmund.
“Even at Liverpool he had to go about working on developing things, putting together a squad that suited him. And that paid off in the end.”
Klopp won back-to-back Bundesliga titles with Dortmund before moving to Liverpool. At the Reds, Klopp won several major trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League.
Leipzig host Klopp’s former side Liverpool, now managed by Arne Slot, in the Champions League on Wednesday.
“I think everyone knows who Kloppo is,” added Rose. “I’ve got a good feeling about it.”
Klopp’s appointment has however caused controversy, particularly in Germany where some fans are critical of the energy drink brand’s ownership of Leipzig, as well as multi-club models in general.