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Man United kick off Premier League season before Man City face new-look Chelsea

Manchester United's head coach Erik ten Hag with the trophy after winning the English FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley Stadium in London on May 25, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 15 August 2024
AFP
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Man United kick off Premier League season before Man City face new-look Chelsea

  • Manchester United’s shock FA Cup final win over Manchester City back in May went a long way to keeping Erik ten Hag in charge at Old Trafford
  • Arne Slot faces a tricky start to his Premier League career when Liverpool travel to an Ipswich side back in the top-flight
Updated 15 August 2024
AFP

MANCHESTER, United Kingdom: Manchester United kick-off the 2024/25 Premier League season at home to Fulham on Friday before Manchester City begin the defense of their title at free-spending Chelsea on Sunday.

New Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be under the spotlight on Saturday with a trip to newly-promoted Ipswich for his first competitive game since succeeding Jurgen Klopp.

AFP Sports looks at what to expect from the opening weekend of the new season:

Manchester United’s shock FA Cup final win over Manchester City back in May went a long way to keeping Erik ten Hag in charge at Old Trafford.

The Dutchman has been backed by United’s new football operations hierarchy, led by British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, and was handed a contract extension to 2026.

Leny Yoro, Joshua Zirkzee, Matthijs De Ligt and Noussair Mazraoui have arrived to strengthen Ten Hag’s squad for around £150 million ($192 million).

But after finishing eighth last season — United’s worst ever Premier League finish — Ten Hag needs a fast start to the new campaign to dispell doubts he is the man to lead the club forward.

Fulham won at Old Trafford for the first time in 20 years in February.

Any repeat on Friday will have United fans fearing another season to forget.

Arne Slot faces a tricky start to his Premier League career when Liverpool travel to an Ipswich side back in the top-flight after a 22-year absence and buoyant after successive promotions.

Liverpool are yet to make a single signing in the transfer window but have been rampant in pre-season with eye-catching wins over Arsenal, United and Sevilla.

Victory at Portman Road would bring some relief to Liverpool fans still coming to terms with the end of Klopp’s iconic reign.

The Reds could then build some momentum with a comfortable run of fixtures to come before the October international break.

But Ipswich defender Axel Tuanzebe is confident of maintaining Ipswich’s proud home record over the past two seasons.

“We’re going to empty the tank and give everything we’ve got,” Tuanzebe told the BBC.

“They’re just humans” he added. “It is just 11 v 11 on the pitch. Not many teams win at Portman Road and we intend to keep it that way.”

New Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has a baptism of fire against his former club.

Maresca was part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff at City before leading Leicester to promotion from the Championship last season.

The Italian inherits a chaotic situation at Stamford Bridge with a first team squad now boasting over 50 players and question marks over the future of most of them.

Chelsea’s issues were exposed in a torrid pre-season, that included a 4-2 defeat to City in the USA.

By contrast, there have been few changes for Guardiola’s champions.

Brazilian winger Savinho is the only new arrival, while Argentine forward Julian Alvarez departed this week for Atletico Madrid.

City’s England trio of Kyle Walker, John Stones and Phil Foden, plus Spanish midfielder Rodri, only returned to training this week after competing in the Euro 2024 final and are unlikely to start against Chelsea.

Fixtures:

Friday (all times GMT)

Manchester United vs. Fulham (1900)

Saturday

Ipswich vs. Liverpool (1130), Arsenal vs. Wolves, Everton vs. Brighton, Newcastle vs. Southampton, Nottingham Forest vs. Bournemouth (all 1400), West Ham vs. Aston Villa (1630)

Sunday

Brentford vs Crystal Palace (1300), Chelsea vs. Manchester City (1530)

Monday

Leicester vs. Tottenham (1900)

Topics: English Premier League (EPL) Manchester United Manchester city Chelsea FC

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Al-Nassr head coach Luis Castro leaves the club

Luis Castro has left Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League club said on Tuesday. (X/@AlNassrFC_EN)
Updated 17 September 2024
Arab News
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Al-Nassr head coach Luis Castro leaves the club

  • The 63-year-old Portuguese boss arrived at the Saudi Pro League side club in July 2023
  • The club thanked ‘Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future’
Updated 17 September 2024
Arab News

JEDDAH: Luis Castro has left Al-Nassr, the Saudi Pro League club said on Tuesday. The 63-year-old was appointed head coach in July 2023.
In a message posted on social media platform X, the club wrote: “Al-Nassr can announce that Head Coach Luis Castro has left the club. Everyone at Al-Nassr would like to thank Luis and his staff for their dedicated work during the past 14 months, wishing them the best of luck for the future.”


The duration of the Portuguese coach’s contract with Al-Nassr was not disclosed when he was appointed last year. His managerial career stretches back to 1998. He spent two seasons in charge of Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk, during which they recorded home and away wins over Real Madrid in the group stage of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League. Immediately prior to joining Al-Nassr, he coached Brazilian side Botafogo.
Three games into the new season, Al-Nassr sit in seventh place in the league after a win and two draws. They finished last season runners-up to Al-Hilal.

Topics: Luis Castro Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League

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Man City’s Rodri says top soccer players close to going on strike because there are too many games

Updated 17 September 2024
AP
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Man City’s Rodri says top soccer players close to going on strike because there are too many games

  • Rodri was asked on Tuesday if players might start refusing to play because of the calendar
  • “I think we are close to that,” he said in a news conference ahead of City’s Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Wednesday
Updated 17 September 2024
AP

MANCHESTER: Manchester City midfielder Rodri says top soccer players are close to going on strike because of the number of games they are having to play.
The Spain international said players are concerned about the way the game is headed as more games are added to the calendar in competitions like the Champions League, which starts on Tuesday.
Rodri was asked on Tuesday if players might start refusing to play because of the calendar.
“I think we are close to that,” he said in a news conference ahead of City’s Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Wednesday. “It’s easy to understand. You ask any player he will say the same — it’s not the opinion of (just) Rodri or whoever. I think it’s a general opinion of the players.
“If it keeps this way, it will be a moment when we have no other option, I really think. It’s something that worries us because we are the guys who suffer.”
Rodri is expected to start his first game for City this season when Inter visit Etihad Stadium, having been given an extended break by the club after winning the European Championship with Spain in July.

Topics: Manchester City Abu Dhabi Cup Rodri Inter Milan UEFA Champions League

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Bayern set sights on dream home Champions League final

Updated 16 September 2024
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Bayern set sights on dream home Champions League final

  • “Something big is coming,” Neuer told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s opening clash with Dinamo Zagreb at home
  • “The most important thing is the final in Munich. We want to go there and everything else is secondary”
Updated 16 September 2024

BERLIN: Bayern captain Manuel Neuer said Monday his side were fully focused on the Champions League season, with this year’s final to be held at Munich’s Allianz Arena.
“Something big is coming,” Neuer told reporters ahead of Tuesday’s opening clash with Dinamo Zagreb at home.
“The most important thing is the final in Munich. We want to go there and everything else is secondary.
“We know what this final means to the city, the fans and the players. Our motivation is simply very high.”
Six-time European champions Bayern come into the season after their first trophyless campaign in 11 seasons, with Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen winning a league and cup double.
In the Champions League, Bayern were eliminated in the semifinals by eventual winners Real Madrid, who beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley to lift the trophy.
Neuer and fellow Bayern veteran Thomas Mueller, who both won the 2013 and 2020 Champions League finals, are the only two players in the squad to remember the 2012 home final, which they lost on penalties to Premier League side Chelsea.
Mueller went on social media on Monday, telling followers “the road to Munich starts tomorrow.
“I’m very excited. Let’s enjoy the best football in Europe.”
Manager Vincent Kompany, set to coach his first match in the Champions League, told reporters “the fans can dream.”
“The most important thing for me is that we show it on the pitch. We have a difficult game tomorrow. The important thing is that we play well and win tomorrow.”
Bayern have won every one of their Champions League openers since 2002 when they lost 3-2 to Deportivo La Coruna, which was the prelude to their first and only group stage elimination.

Topics: Bayern Munich Dinamo Zagreb Manuel Neuer UEFA Champions League

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European Cup-winning former Villa striker Shaw dies aged 63

Updated 16 September 2024
AFP
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European Cup-winning former Villa striker Shaw dies aged 63

  • The forward died after recently going into hospital following a head injury suffered in a fall
  • “Aston Villa Football Club is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to learn that Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup-winning heroes, has passed away,” a statement said
Updated 16 September 2024
AFP

LONDON: Former Aston Villa striker Gary Shaw, who helped the club to their shock European Cup triumph in 1982, died on Monday aged 63.
Shaw was a member of the Villa side that won the First Division title in 1981 and then memorably stunned German giants Bayern Munich in the European Cup final 12 months later.
The forward died after recently going into hospital following a head injury suffered in a fall.
“Aston Villa Football Club is deeply shocked and profoundly saddened to learn that Gary Shaw, one of our European Cup-winning heroes, has passed away,” a statement said.
“Gary was one of our own, a talented striker who delighted supporters with his goalscoring exploits which helped fire Villa to success in the 1980s. Individual accolades would also follow for a player who was idolized by many on the terraces.


“He passed away peacefully earlier today surrounded by his family, who asked Aston Villa to release a statement on their behalf.”
Shaw’s death came on the eve of Villa’s first match in the Champions League for 41 years.
Unai Emery’s side face Young Boys in Switzerland on Tuesday and the Villa manager urged his team to win the match in tribute to Shaw.
“My condolences to the family and all the supporters at Villa,” said Emery, whose team will wear black armbands for the fixture in Bern.
“We have a memory always, in our training ground a picture of 1982 and the European Cup. He was a protagonist of that. My condolences to them.
“Yes, I think it’s sad and we can use it as motivation.”
Shaw joined Villa as an apprentice and went on to score 79 times in 213 appearances, including 20 goals in their 1981 title-winning campaign.
He was named PFA Young Player of the Year after Villa’s first English title since 1910.
Shaw scored three goals in Villa’s run to European Cup glory, including a crucial quarter-final strike against Dynamo Kiev.
Peter Withe’s winner against Bayern in Rotterdam lifted the team to previously unimaginable heights, with Birmingham-born Shaw savouring the triumph more than most.
Yet within a year of Villa’s epic victory, Shaw suffered a knee injury in a match against Nottingham Forest that curtailed his progress and ultimately saw him retire from the game after six operations.
He left the club in 1988 for spells in Denmark and Austria, before ending his career in 1992 after short stints at Walsall, Kilmarnock and Shrewsbury.
Shaw later worked as a statistical analyst and a matchday ambassador for Villa.

Topics: Aston Villa Gary Shaw

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Simba say goalkeeper attacked after CAF Cup match in Libya

Updated 16 September 2024
AFP
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Simba say goalkeeper attacked after CAF Cup match in Libya

  • “It was scary. I saw Aishi being struck for no reason by a policeman and bottles and other objects hurled at our players,” said the official
  • “Aishi is shaken but okay. He is receiving treatment in the changing room“
Updated 16 September 2024
AFP

JOHANNESBURG: Aishi Manula, the goalkeeper of Tanzanian club Simba, was struck by a policeman after a stormy CAF Confederation Cup qualifier in Libya on Sunday, an official from the visiting team told AFP.
The second round, first leg against Al Ahly Tripoli ended 0-0 in a packed 45,000-seat Tripoli stadium and Simba players dashed for cover at full-time as plastic bottles were flung at them.
“It was scary. I saw Aishi being struck for no reason by a policeman and bottles and other objects hurled at our players,” said the official, who requested anonymity.
“Aishi is shaken but okay. He is receiving treatment in the changing room. I also witnessed some Ahly players attacking the referee and his assistants.”
Both clubs are regular CAF competition campaigners with Ahly making a ninth appearance in the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League and Simba a seventh.
Simba are considered potential title challengers in the Confederation Cup, which has been dominated by north African clubs with 16 titles from 21 editions.
Zamalek of Egypt are the current title-holders after edging Renaissance Berkane of Morocco on away goals in the last final.
South African coach Fadlu Davids recently took charge of the Dar es Salaam outfit after being assistant coach of Moroccan league and cup double winners Raja Casablanca last season.
Another first leg in Libya produced a thriller with Al Hilal Benghazi snatching a 3-2 victory over Al Masry of Egypt after trailing twice in the eastern city.
Salah Mohsen put Masry ahead in each half, but two goals from Mohammed al Shiteewi, either side of one from Faisal al Badri, set up an intriguing September 22 return match in Alexandria.
Dynamos of Zimbabwe look set to reach the group stage for the first time, at the third attempt, after a 1-0 win over Orapa United of Botswana in Francistown.
But the most popular club in the southern Africa nation left it late to build an aggregate lead as Valentine Kadonzvo scored with just two minutes of regular time remaining.
Zimbabwe have no international-standard stadium so Dynamos must play Orapa twice in neighboring Botswana.
Burundi outfit Rukinzo are in a similar situation to Dynamos with no suitable venue in the landlocked central African nation.
They opted to face record three-time Confederation Cup winners CS Sfaxien twice in Tunisia, and did well to restrict the home side to a 1-0 win through an early Mohamed ‘Cristo’ Dhaoui goal.

Topics: Aishi Manula Simba SC Tanzania Al Ahly Tripoli Libya CAF Confederation Cup

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