Connect with us

Sports

Frank relishing Champions League debut with Spurs | The Express Tribune

Published

on

Frank relishing Champions League debut with Spurs | The Express Tribune



LONDON:

Tottenham boss Thomas Frank said he was looking forward to testing himself against Europe’s top teams as he prepares for his Champions League debut against Villarreal on Tuesday.

Spurs are playing in Europe’s top club competition for the first time since the 2022/23 season, qualifying by winning the Europa League last season under former manager Ange Postecoglou.

Frank left Brentford to take charge of Spurs in June after Tottenham sacked Postecoglou following a 17th-place finish in the Premier League.

The Danish manager’s only previous European experience as a manager came in Europa League qualifying with former club Brondby.

“It’s a fantastic experience tomorrow,” he told reporters on Monday. “We played with Brentford in the Championship at Griffin Park (the club’s former ground), a small, compact stadium.”

“And tomorrow we’re playing in one of the best stadiums in the world, maybe the best, in front of our fantastic fans.

“It’s a European night and we know they will be absolutely on it. It will be so special, so really looking forward to the first two minutes and the Champions League anthem, then it’s focus on the game.”

Spurs, beaten Champions League finalists in 2019, have started the season brightly, winning three of their first four matches in the Premier League.

They also pushed European champions Paris Saint-Germain hard in the European Super Cup in mid-August, losing on penalties after conceding two late goals in a 2-2 draw.

Frank, 51, said he was not focusing on how many points Spurs would need to progress from the Champions League league phase.

“I focus on one thing, let’s see if we can beat Villarreal tomorrow, that’s the most important thing,” he said. “After that we are playing Brighton (in the Premier League). One game at a time.”

Other opponents in the group stage include Monaco, PSG and Borussia Dortmund.

Forward Dominic Solanke, who has been sidelined since last month, was absent from training on Monday and Frank said he was not ready to play.

New signings Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani both featured in wet conditions, with Kolo Muani in line to make his Spurs debut.



Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Lamar Jackson, the point spread and the perils of NFL injury reporting

Published

on



The NFL’s $100,000 fine of the Ravens came amid a league emphasis on transparency when it comes to reporting injuries in the wake of an NBA gambling scandal.



Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Transfer rumors, news: Man United eye loan deal for Real Madrid’s Endrick

Published

on

Transfer rumors, news: Man United eye loan deal for Real Madrid’s Endrick


Real Madrid‘s Endrick is a loan target for Premier League rivals Manchester United and Aston Villa, while Barcelona need Marcus Rashford to lower his wage demands to make his stay at Camp Nou permanent. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s grades | Women’s grades

TOP STORIES

Amorim expects Man Utd transfer requests in Jan.
Madrid’s Alonso on Vini Jr. Clásico furore: ‘Subject closed’
Liverpool’s Arne Slot refuses to give update on contract talks

TRENDING RUMORS

– Manchester United are facing competition from Aston Villa in the race for Real Madrid striker Endrick, according to the Daily Star. Villa have reportedly expressed their interest in a potential January move for the 19-year-old, who is set to look for a switch away from the Bernabéu after failing to establish himself as a regular under manager Xabi Alonso. The Brazil international got his first minutes of playing time this season as a 79th-minute substitute in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Valencia (stream a replay on ESPN+ in the U.S.). Endrick is on the radar of several clubs in Europe, with sources telling ESPN that Ligue 1 side Lyon are leading the chase, but United would be willing to explore a six-month loan deal for him when the transfer window opens.

– Talks are ongoing between Barcelona and the representatives of on-loan Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford regarding his demands if they decide to sign him permanently, Diario Sport reports. The reigning LaLiga champions would need the 28-year-old to lower the £325,000-per-week salary he picks up at Old Trafford for a deal to become possible, and they would be willing to hand him a longer-term deal in exchange. Rashford has found bright form for Barça, having directly contributed to 10 goals in 13 matches across all competitions.

– A move for United States and Coventry City forward Haji Wright is being prepared by Leeds United, according to Football Insider. The Premier League side are reportedly monitoring the 27-year-old’s situation, as one of their potential options amid plans to strengthen their forward line. It is expected that the Sky Blues would be reluctant to part ways with Wright during the middle of the season, which could make a move more feasible in the summer rather than in January. Wright scored both goals for the U.S. team last month during its 2-1 international friendly win over Australia.

Napoli are lining up an approach for Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, reports the Daily Mirror. It is believed that the Serie A champions want to sign the 20-year-old on an initial loan deal in January, with a clause that would provide them the opportunity to land him permanently in the summer. Both Kevin De Bruyne and Scott McTominay are said to have supported the idea of a move for Mainoo, and club president Aurelio De Laurentiis is willing to meet his £35,000-per-week salary in full. Mainoo remains interested in a switch away from Old Trafford in January amid hopes of playing regularly to enhance his chances of being selected in the England squad for the FIFA World Cup.

Tottenham Hotspur are interested in Napoli midfielder Scott McTominay, according to Football Insider. Spurs are reported to be keen to strengthen their midfield in the next transfer window, and the 28-year-old has caught their attention following several impressive performances in Serie A. However, with Kevin De Bruyne currently injured, the Azzurri are expected to be unwilling to part ways with McTominay in January unless they receive a significant offer for his signature.

EXPERT TAKE

play

1:57

Why a loan away from Real Madrid is a ‘fantastic opportunity’ for Endrick

Shaka Hislop examines Endrick’s potential loan move to Lyon from Real Madrid.

OTHER RUMORS

– Manchester United are set to intensify their efforts to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson amid hopes of beating Chelsea and Manchester City to his signature. (CaughtOffside)

– AC Milan and Inter Milan are keeping close tabs on Udinese center-back Oumar Solet. (Nicolò Schira)

– Manchester United are considering a “no loans policy” in the next transfer window, which could impact whether striker Joshua Zirkzee is able to secure a short term move away from Old Trafford. (TEAMtalk)

– Inter Milan are prioritizing the signing of a midfielder in January, and they are “ready” to make an approach for Genoa’s Morten Frendrup. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Juventus are not interested in a move for Al-Duhail midfielder Marco Verratti despite reports. (Tuttosport)

– Several Premier League teams are monitoring the situation of Palmeiras forward Vitor Roque. (Diario Sport)

– Attacking midfielder Alexis Saelemaekers is closing in on reaching an agreement over a new contract with AC Milan. (Nicolò Schira)

– Coventry City are exploring a move for free agent striker Patrick Bamford, who recently left Leeds. (Football Insider)



Source link

Continue Reading

Sports

Arteta: Arsenal 1st-half display ‘one of the best’

Published

on

Arteta: Arsenal 1st-half display ‘one of the best’


Mikel Arteta said his side’s first-half display in a comfortable 2-0 win at Burnley was “one of the best we have played” as they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League.

Viktor Gyökeres and Declan Rice struck first half goals as the Gunners racked up a ninth straight win all competitions and fifth in the top flight.

Their half-time lead would have been more commanding but for two saves from goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka, who twice denied Bukayo Saka.

Arteta said: “We started the game exceptionally well. I think the first half is one of the best that we’ve played, scored two goals, generated another two or three big chances and conceded nothing.

“And that was a platform, because in the second half we dropped the standards, especially with the ball, and with our intentions to play more forward. But again, defensively, we were exceptional.”

Burnley failed to lay a glove on the Londoners, with their first effort on goal coming through Florentino Luis’ header in the 73rd minute before substitute Marcus Edwards’ free kick hit a post deep in stoppage time.

Gyökeres, who struck the opener from a corner as Arteta’s side also extended their league-leading set-piece goals tally this season, excluding penalties, to 12, was singled out by the Spaniard for special praise.

But the Sweden striker could be doubtful for Tuesday’s Champions League game in Prague after being replaced at half-time due to a muscle strain.

Arteta added: “I think it was one of the best games that he’s played [for us].

“Overall, his performance was exceptional, apart from the goal, and we had to take him off because he was feeling a little niggle, muscular.

“His high press, his positioning and his touches, his threading in behind, the way he linked play, the way he gets us from this situation to transition.

“He was in a really good moment. It’s a shame that he felt something.”

Burnley remain five points clear of the bottom three after their fifth league defeat of the season and boss Scott Parker felt the first goal was decisive.

Parker said: “We understood what we were up against, a top, top team with huge quality, and I thought we started the game really well.

“The [first] goal took the wind out of us a little bit in terms of the set-play goal, and we had worked a lot this week on that. But I think it took the edge off us a little bit.”

Parker said it was “so hard” to defend the Gunners at set-pieces, with Rice’s deliveries “on the money” and the likes of Gabriel a huge physical threat.

“If you don’t have those players, you probably don’t score as many as what Arsenal are scoring,” Parker added.

“You’ve got a delivery-taker that every single time you ask for it to be put back post, and the runs will be there, it goes back post.

“You ask it to be put front post, and the runs are there, and it gets put there. You’ve then also got the other element, the timing of the runs and the physicality of those runs.”



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending