Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen struggling to maintain heights of last season

Leverkusen’s head coach Xabi Alonso waves to the crowd at the end of their Champions League opening phase match against Liverpool at Anfield in Liverpool, on Nov. 5, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 07 November 2024
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Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen struggling to maintain heights of last season

  • The aura of invincibility that Alonso built around the team have evaporated. But it’s not for want of trying
  • “To win against top, top teams, you need to go through tough moments and suffer. We need to learn from this,” Alonso said after the loss in Liverpool

BERLIN: Bayer Leverkusen are struggling to reach the high standards they set for themselves last season.
Xabi Alonso’s team have already dropped points in five of their nine Bundesliga games, while Tuesday’s 4-0 loss at Liverpool in the Champions League was already their second defeat of the season.
The late goals that characterized last season’s remarkable Bundesliga and German Cup campaigns — Leverkusen won both without losing a game — seem to have dried up.
Leverkusen have already conceded 15 goals in the Bundesliga. That’s only nine goals fewer than they conceded in the league over the whole of last season.
Though Leverkusen drew with Bayern Munich 1-1 away, they also failed to beat relegation candidates Holstein Kiel and Werder Bremen.
The aura of invincibility that Alonso built around the team have evaporated. But it’s not for want of trying. Before the Liverpool game, Leverkusen had 19 shots at goal in a scoreless draw against Stuttgart, which were second in the Bundesliga last season.
Missed chances have replaced late goals as the recurring issue, while defense is also a concern.
Granit Xhaka was scathing in his criticism of the last three goals his team conceded against Liverpool, suggesting the side’s intensity dropped after conceding the first, though the Swiss midfielder remained confident the team can recover.
“If we keep doing our thing, we’ll start winning games again,” Xhaka said.
Alonso, likewise, does not seem too worried by his team’s results.
“To win against top, top teams, you need to go through tough moments and suffer. We need to learn from this,” Alonso said after the loss in Liverpool.
Alonso opted to stay at Leverkusen despite a host of suitors reportedly keen on acquiring his services in the summer – including former clubs Bayern and Liverpool – and the Spanish coach hasn’t tinkered with or changed his title-winning approach.
The squad from last season remained largely intact over the summer. Central defender Odilon Kossounou left for Atalanta, with Leverkusen bringing Nordi Mukiele from Paris Saint-Germain as his replacement. Mukiele hasn’t played much so far.
It had looked like defensive chief Jonathan Tah was going to join Bayern, but the clubs failed to agree a transfer fee for a player whose Leverkusen contract is up at the end of this season. Tah has played every minute for the team so far.
Leverkusen are already seven points behind unbeaten Bayern in the Bundesliga. They next face a short trip to Bochum on Saturday, when new Bochum coach Dieter Hecking will hope to coax some improvement from a team that have lost eight of their nine games. Bochum have a point after a draw with Kiel in September.


Buoyant Inter gunning for leaders Napoli and Serie A summit

Updated 2 min 46 sec ago
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Buoyant Inter gunning for leaders Napoli and Serie A summit

  • Wednesday’s win came despite Inzaghi dropping five first-choice players with Napoli
  • The defense of the Serie A title his clear priority in the early months of the season

MILAN: Inter Milan have top spot in Serie A in their sights as they host league leaders Napoli this weekend boosted by a gritty win over Arsenal in the Champions League.
Reigning champions Inter are a point behind Napoli and in buoyant mood ahead of Sunday’s clash at the San Siro after showing huge spirit to beat Arsenal 1-0 and continue their unbeaten start in Europe.
Simone Inzaghi’s team are yet to concede a goal in the Champions League and after four matches are two points behind leaders Liverpool in the new single league phase.
Wednesday’s win came despite Inzaghi dropping five first-choice players with Napoli and the defense of the Serie A title his clear priority in the early months of the season.
And Inter had to hold off wave after wave of Arsenal attacks in the second half after Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty in stoppage time of the opening period, claiming the win with the sort dogged defending which has been lacking in Serie A where they have conceded 13 times in 11 matches.
“It was a win earned through sacrifice, the only thing that mattered tonight was the result. I needed minutes, now I’m ready for Napoli,” said Calhanoglu who was excellent in his first start since recovering from a thigh injury and will guide Inter’s midfield on Sunday.
Inter will be at full strength after Nicolo Barella, Federico Dimarco, Marcus Thuram, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Francesco Acerbi all started the Arsenal win on the bench.
That is a daunting prospect for Napoli who have however had a week to prepare for Sunday’s clash and won at the San Siro against AC Milan as recently as last week.
Napoli have impressed by leading the league following last season’s disastrous defense of their first Scudetto since the days of Diego Maradona.
But Napoli were thumped 3-0 at home by dark horses Atalanta last weekend and questions remain over whether Antonio Conte’s side are ready to reclaim the title.
Conte, a practicing Catholic, said ahead of his team’s humbling at the hands of third-placed Atalanta that “football miracles can happen but only one person can make them happen.”
“All we can do is work hard and try to create something beautiful which in football terms translates into more points,” said Conte.
Mario Balotelli is set for more minutes with his new club Genoa who face Como at the unusual time of Thursday night, a rearrangement forced by an important rally race being held in the port city over the weekend.
Former Italy striker Balotelli made his Genoa debut off the bench late in last weekend’s 1-0 win at Parma which lifted Alberto Gilardino’s team out of the relegation zone, but his only contribution was getting booked.
In-form Fiorentina and Lazio, who are level on 22 points with Atalanta, face Verona and Monza respectively and have a chance to move level with Napoli before Sunday’s big match at the San Siro.
Juventus, who sit a point behind that trio in sixth, host local rivals Torino after drawing 1-1 at Lille on Tuesday.

Fresh from another stellar performance in Wednesday’s 2-0 win at Stuttgart, Lookman is in the form of his life as Atalanta host Udinese in Sunday’s lunchtime fixture with talk of a title challenge looking increasingly realistic.
Nigeria forward Lookman, the hat-trick hero of last season’s Europa League triumph, has scored eight goals and set up five more in 12 appearances this term.
His stunning performances, which have helped push Atalanta to within three points of Napoli, come after being dropped at the start of the season after pushing for a move to Paris Saint-Germain.
But the way he and attack partners Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere have been playing suggests that Lookman could just as likely scale new heights staying exactly where he is.

Thursday
Genoa v Como (1945)
Friday
Lecce v Empoli (1945)
Saturday
Venezia v Parma (1400), Cagliari v AC Milan (1700), Juventus v Torino (1945)
Sunday
Atalanta v Udinese (1130), Roma v Bologna, Fiorentina v Verona (1400), Monza v Lazio (1700), Inter Milan v Napoli (1945)


Mbappe left out of France squad for November internationals

Updated 35 min 16 sec ago
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Mbappe left out of France squad for November internationals

  • It is the second successive France squad from which the national team captain has been absent
  • Mbappe was absent for France’s 4-1 win over Israel in Budapest and a 2-1 win in Belgium

PARIS: Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the France squad for their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches against Israel and Italy after coach Didier Deschamps omitted the Real Madrid superstar from his list of players named on Thursday.
It is the second successive France squad from which the national team captain has been absent after he also missed the October double-header against Israel and Belgium.
The 25-year-old was rested for last month’s matches in order to help him recover from a minor thigh injury suffered playing for Real.
However, that quickly became a source of controversy when he returned to action for Real days later, before France had even played.
Mbappe was absent for France’s 4-1 win over Israel in Budapest and a 2-1 win in Belgium, and instead traveled to Stockholm for a short break with members of his entourage.
It was following that trip that Swedish media reported he was being investigated for an alleged rape. Mbappe himself said those reports were “fake news” while his lawyer said the player would take action for libel.
A Swedish prosecutor confirmed that an investigation had been opened, without naming Mbappe.
Since then, the ex-Paris Saint-Germain forward has made four appearances for his club, scoring one goal. However, he remains short of his explosive best form.


Algeria denounces ‘baseless’ medical report targeting Olympic champion Imane Khelif

Updated 07 November 2024
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Algeria denounces ‘baseless’ medical report targeting Olympic champion Imane Khelif

  • Algerian Olympic Committee decries attacks on Imane Khelif since Paris Olympics 2024 boxing event

RIYADH: The Algerian Olympic Committee has condemned as “baseless” a medical report targeting gold medalist Imane Khelif, which claims she has male chromosomes and no uterus.

The unverified report, widely shared on social media, has sparked fresh controversy. This is the latest round of accusations that the Algerian athlete has had to face since the Olympic Games in Paris earlier this year.

In a statement carried by the German media group DW, the Algerian Olympic Committee rejected the claims as “baseless attacks.”

It said the accusations were aimed at tarnishing the image of Khelif, who was “an athlete who has brought honor to our nation on the international stage.”

The document in question, allegedly written by French endocrinologist Jacques Young, suggested Khelif has a condition known as Difference of Sexual Development.

However, Young has denied any involvement, accusing others of using his name to promote an anti-transgender agenda.

The hospital where Young works refused to confirm the document’s authenticity, citing patient confidentiality.

The International Olympic Committee has distanced itself from the document, labelling it “unverified” and confirmed that Khelif is considering legal action in response to the claims.

This is not the first time Khelif has faced controversy.

After her gold medal win in the women’s 66 kg boxing event at the Olympics, she was falsely accused of failing gender verification tests run by the International Boxing Association.

The IBA’s claim that she had male chromosomes was dismissed by the IOC as “illegitimate.”

The latest round of attacks resurfaced in late October, fueled by online platforms, including Reduxx, a magazine known for its “pro-woman” stance.

The report suggested Khelif underwent genetic testing that supposedly revealed a Difference of Sexual Development condition. However, a screenshot from the report clarified that Khelif was still deemed female by the doctors involved.

Khelif, who has always identified as a woman, has not publicly commented, but her management team confirmed she is pursuing legal action.

The Algerian Olympic Committee reiterated its full support for Khelif and called for an end to harmful gender-based attacks in sports.


Saudi jiu-jitsu team win 10 medals at World Championship in Greece

Updated 07 November 2024
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Saudi jiu-jitsu team win 10 medals at World Championship in Greece

  • Kingdom’s jiu-jitsu team scoop 3 gold, 3 silver and 4 bronze at event held from Oct. 23 to Nov. 4

RIYADH: The Kingdom’s jiu-jitsu team won 10 medals — three gold, three silver and four bronze — at the World Championship in Crete, Greece, which was held from Oct. 23 to Nov. 4, according to the Saudi Press Agency.

The gold medalists are Mohammed Al-Mukhlis in the under-69 kg category (Masters Division), Omar Nada in the under-94 kg category (Senior Team Division), and Abdullah Nada in the under-85 kg category (Youth Division).

Silver medals were won by Abdulmalik Al-Murdi in the under-62 kg category (Senior Team Division), Elias Banjar in the under-62 kg category (Youth Division), and Waleed Al-Haidari in the under-56 kg category (Youth Division).

Bronze went to Osamah Al-Marwia in the No Gi category, Khaled Habab, who earned two medals in the under-52 kg and No Gi - 52 kg categories (Youth Division), and Hadeel Qadha in the under-57 kg category (Junior Division).

Saudi Jiu-Jitsu Federation CEO Rakan Al-Fehaid thanked the government for supporting the athletes and helping them to achieve success.

The team had played a “significant role in elevating the Kingdom’s name on the global stage,” the report added.


What makes for an excellent all-rounder in cricket?

Updated 07 November 2024
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What makes for an excellent all-rounder in cricket?

  • A common but numerically imperfect criterion is that the player must be good enough to be selected as either a standalone batter or bowler

Over the last two weeks, consideration of triple centurions and hat-trick takers in Test cricket has raised the issue of who has been equally good at both batting and bowling.

Such players are termed all-rounders. Whilst there are clear criteria for recording a triple hundred and a hat trick, there is an element of subjectivity in determining the most successful all-rounders.

A common but numerically imperfect criterion is that the player must be good enough to be selected as either a standalone batter or bowler. Another definition proposes that players are considered all-rounders if their batting average exceeds their bowling average.

This needs to be qualified by stipulating a minimum number of wickets taken and/or a minimum number of Test matches played. There is no universal agreement on what these numbers should be. The International Cricket Council’s index ranks only those currently playing.

In the absence of official qualification criteria, analysts have applied both a minimum number of wickets taken and a minimum number of runs scored. One such combination is scoring 3,000 runs and taking 400 wickets.

This reveals six players — Richard Hadlee, Kapil Dev, Stuart Broad, Shaun Pollock, Shane Warne and Ravichandran Ashwin. If the criteria are relaxed to 3,000 runs and 300 wickets a further four players are revealed — Ian Botham, Daniel Vettori, Imran Khan and Ravindra Jadeja.

Those who are steeped in Test cricket will recognize that these arbitrary criteria have generated a group of players whose main strength is in bowling.

All but one, Vettori, average less than 30 runs per wicket with the ball. Hadlee has the best average at 22.21, followed by Khan with 22.81. However, Khan has a superior batting average of 37.69 compared with Hadlee’s 27.16. Jadeja has the next best batting average of 35.16.

Is a batting average in the mid-to-late thirties sufficient on its own to earn a place in a Test team for a reasonable length of time? There have been many examples to suggest so.

Two will suffice. Derek Randall played 47 matches for England with a batting average of 33.37, whilst Mike Brearley played 39 matches at 22.88. In each case there was a reason for their selection. Brearley was an intelligent, empathetic, clear-thinking captain whilst Randall was a potential match-winner and brilliant fielder.

There will be similar examples from other countries. Selection at particular times will reflect the needs of the team, the style played, ground conditions and the depth of talent available.

Given the examples provided above, it does not seem unreasonable to assume that a player with a batting average of 35 could be regarded as worthy of a place in that team for batting alone. On this basis both Khan and Jadeja can be categorized as all-rounders.

A batting average between 30 and 35 becomes more contentious. Botham averaged 33.54, Pollock 32.31 and Dev 31.05. It would be a brave person who suggests that Botham was not an all-rounder. Apart from taking 120 catches, Botham’s galvanizing dynamism on and off the field would surely have seen him selected solely for his batting. Similar cases can be made for Dev and Pollock.

If a batting average of 30 is accepted, then what is the equivalent for bowling? Since the first Test match in 1877, there have been 101 bowlers who have a career average below 30 runs conceded for every wicket taken. The top six all played between the end of the 19th and the early 20th centuries. Their averages were in a range of 10.7 and 18.6. Over the last 60 years, the top 10 bowling averages have been in the early 20s.

A broader assessment of what constitutes a “good” bowling average can be based on those achieved by the 39 bowlers who have taken over 300 Test match wickets. All bar six of them have averages below 30, whilst the group has an overall average of 30.28. Hence, it may be assumed that a bowling average below 30 is a mark of success.

This assumption is challenged by returning to an earlier criterion used for defining an all-rounder, where the batting average exceeds the bowling average. A search for the highest differential — 20 — reveals two names, Jacques Kallis of South Africa and Gary Sobers of the West Indies.

In 166 matches between 1995 and 2013, Kallis scored 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37, took 292 wickets and claimed 200 catches. Sobers scored 8,032 runs at 57.78, took 235 wickets and 109 catches between 1954 and 1974. These statistics speak of glittering all-round careers.

Sobers added extra spice by being able to bowl both seam and spin, had outstanding charisma and was captain for seven years. Kallis was a much more reserved player but his quick bowling was often delivered as first change, which placed huge physical demands upon him.

Yet, neither fit other criteria. They did not reach 300 wickets or achieve a bowling average below 30, Kallis recording 32.65 and Sobers 34.03. Should that disqualify them from being genuine all-rounders? Their cases do illustrate the dangers of adopting only statistical criteria. There are many other examples.

In July 2024, Ben Stokes joined Sobers and Kallis as only the third player to reach 6,000 runs, at 35.27, and take 200 wickets, at 32.21. In 79 Tests, Andrew Flintoff averaged 32 with the bat and 33 with the ball. His modest returns did not do justice to the effect that his uplifting presence and charisma had on crowds and team-mates.

Keith Miller of Australia had a similar iconic status post-1945. In 55 Tests, he scored almost 3,000 runs at 37 and took 170 wickets at 23, an all-round performance to rank with the best. Shakib Al-Hasan scored 4,609 runs at 37.77 and took 246 wickets at 31.72 in an outstanding career for Bangladesh.

Attempts to instill statistical criteria eliminate the galvanizing effects which all-round performance can have on crowds and on the outcome of a match. Whilst a batting average of 35 or more and a bowling average of below 30 seem to be sound criteria, notable exceptions exist.

On this basis, my partly subjective choice for top all-rounders embraces Sobers, Kallis, Miller, Botham, Stokes and Khan. In their respective ways, each has a celebrated place in sport beyond mere statistics.