football
From Ronaldo to Rashford, how Ten Hag transformed Man United
After two games of the season Manchester United sat at the foot of the Premier League with no points and a goal difference of -5.
Roll the clock forward five months and manager Erik ten Hag has turned the club’s fortunes around to the point that a win against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on Sunday will spark genuine belief that an unlikely title challenge is on.
It has not been an overnight success for United’s Dutch manager, who had to contend with an unsettled Cristiano Ronaldo while also trying to knit together a much-changed squad after taking over a team that finished sixth last season and 35 points off champions Manchester City.
This was supposed to be a season of transition, and after back-to-back losses at the start of the campaign United looked more likely to fight to avoid relegation rather than compete for the title. United trails Arsenal by eight points.
It might still be too soon for Ten Hag's team to mount a sustained challenge at the top, with Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace a reminder that it's a work in progress.
However, the improvement is clear — and a win against high-flying Arsenal would be further evidence of United’s title credentials.
The Associated Press looks at some of the key factors in the team’s turnaround.
RONALDO’S EXIT
Ronaldo’s departure in November removed a cloud hanging over United and an unhelpful distraction for Ten Hag at a time when he was trying to establish himself at the club.
While Ten Hag tried to make it work with the Portugal great, their relationship was only ever likely to be a temporary one of convenience, with a younger, more mobile center forward needed to implement the Dutchman’s tactics of pressing from the front.
Ten Hag gave the 37-year-old forward opportunities — playing him on 16 occasions — but Ronaldo was largely ineffective at the point of United’s attack, scoring only three goals.
More of an issue was his behavior off the pitch — leaving early during a pre-season friendly and refusing to come on as a late substitute against Tottenham in October.
His explosive interview with Piers Morgan on the eve of the World Cup was the final straw.
Managing the Ronaldo situation throughout the summer and the opening months of the season was an added challenge for Ten Hag, however, he has emerged with his authority intact.
United’s decision to terminate Ronaldo’s contract was evidence the manager has the trust of the club’s hierarchy.
Ronaldo has since signed for Saudi Arabian team Al Nassr while Ten Hag can focus on building for the future instead of trying to accommodate an aging star who is past his peak.
SELF BELIEF
It was a desperate start for Ten Hag, with the 4-0 loss to Brentford in August coming on the back of an opening home defeat against Brighton.
It raised questions about his insistence on playing out from the back with a squad unsuited to those tactics, as well as his decision to sign Lisandro Martinez, who at 5-foot-9 looked likely to struggle with the aerial side of English soccer.
It would have been easy for Ten Hag to try to adapt his methods as he settled into a new league in a new country, yet he remained convinced United could play his way.
He stuck with Martinez, dropping captain Harry Maguire instead, and the Argentine has been one of the outstanding defenders in the Premier League this season.
And while United remains a work in progress, there have been clear signs of the players embracing Ten Hag’s system and showing the bravery to take the ball in tight spaces even in their defensive third.
United appointed the former Ajax coach in part because of his commitment to his methods that saw him win three Dutch league titles and reach the semifinals of the Champions League in 2019, beating Real Madrid and Juventus on the way.
He has shown the courage to stick to his beliefs even after such a humbling start to the job and the benefits are clear to see now with United arguably producing its best soccer since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
GETTING TOUGH
Ten Hag has left United’s players in no doubt about who is the boss.
Nicknamed the “new sheriff” when he arrived, he has laid down the law when necessary.
After the defeat to Brentford he ordered his players to come in on their day off to do a punishing run during a heatwave in Britain to make up the 8.5 miles difference in ground covered between them and their opponent in that match.
He also reportedly joined in on the run as a show of solidarity and collective responsibility.
That wasn’t the only time he has had to exert his authority.
He accused his players of lacking bravery in United’s 6-3 derby loss to Manchester City in October.
Individually, he dropped Ronaldo and made the forward train away from the first team squad for refusing to come on as a substitute against Tottenham — and Marcus Rashford was also dropped to the bench against Wolverhampton last month for oversleeping and missing a team meeting.
Maguire has spent much of the season on the sidelines after struggling for form, while Luke Shaw was also dropped earlier in the campaign before establishing himself as a key figure in the team.
The message is clear: no one is too big to be left out.
CASEMIRO’S CLASS
After spending much of the summer trying to sign Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, United ultimately turned to Real Madrid’s Brazil international Casemiro.
At a cost of around $80 million, he didn’t come cheap. But he has added steel and composure to a United midfield that has been desperate for a player of his profile since Michael Carrick retired in 2018.
Arguably, United has not had a dominant midfielder of Casemiro’s type since the departure of former captain Roy Keane in 2005.
Casemiro’s authority, range of passing and anticipation to win the ball has had a transformative effect on United.
In 12 Premier League starts, he has been on the losing side only once. United has won 14 of 19 games in all competitions with him in the starting lineup.
His understanding with Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes is developing to form an imposing midfield unit.
United, however, will have do without him against Arsenal after he picked up a fifth yellow card of the season on Wednesday, which means he’s suspended for Sunday’s match.
RASHFORD RESURGENCE
United desperately needed someone to replace the goals scored by Ronaldo, who hit 24 last season.
In the absence of a top-class forward being recruited last summer, Ten Hag needed those goals to come from within his existing squad and Rashford has been the answer.
The England international underwent an intense pre-season training schedule to ensure he was in peak condition after injuries impacted his previous two campaigns — and it has paid off.
Ten Hag has also given him the opportunity to play in his favored position on the left of the attack and that settled role has seen him produce arguably the best form of his career.
His winner against City last weekend saw him score in seven-straight games — a run that came to an end against Palace.
Notably in that match against City, he shook off a first-half injury to play on and produce the decisive moment.
“He knows that in football you have to suffer and sacrifice and have painful moments,” Ten Hag said. “He is unstoppable and opponents will go tough against him but he keeps going.”
Juventus hit with 15-point penalty for false accounting
Italy's most storied soccer club, Juventus, was hit with a massive 15-point penalty for false accounting Friday following an appeal hearing at the Italian soccer federation.
The punishment could eliminate the club’s chances of playing in Europe next season. A record 36-time Italian champion, Juventus was third in Serie A and the penalty drops the Bianconeri to a midtable position — 25 points behind leader Napoli and 12 points from the Champions League places.
Juventus said it will appeal the decision to Italy’s highest sports court within the Italian Olympic Committee.
Also, former Juventus president Andrea Agnelli and former club CEO Maurizio Arrivabene were each banned for two years from soccer activities and more bans were handed out for nine other members of Juve’s staff or former board, which resigned en masse in November following an investigation by Turin public prosecutors into alleged false bookkeeping.
The longest ban of 2 ½ years was handed out to former Juventus sporting director and current Tottenham managing director Fabio Paratici, while current Juventus sporting director Federico Cherubini was given 16 months and former Juventus player turned board member Pavel Nedved was given eight months.
The bans prohibit those individuals from engaging in soccer activities in Italy, “with the request that the ban be extended to UEFA and FIFA activities.”
Juventus has denied wrongdoing and was initially cleared by the sports court in April. But an appeal was made after the federation collected papers from the Turin prosecutors.
Federation prosecutor Giuseppe Chiné had requested a nine-point penalty for Juventus earlier Friday.
Gianluca Ferrero was appointed Juventus’ new president on Wednesday, presiding over a smaller five-person board of directors. Also Wednesday, Agnelli announced that he was stepping down from all of his positions within the family businesses, including carmaker Stellantis, which controls FIAT, as well as the Exor holding company.
Agnelli was also one of the architects of the failed European Super League project.
The penalty comes 17 years after the “Calciopoli” refereeing scandal that saw Juventus demoted to Serie B and stripped of two Serie A titles.
Fines were requested for eight other clubs: Sampdoria, Pro Vercelli, Genoa, Parma, Pisa, Empoli, Pescara and Novara. But all eight other clubs were cleared.
Juventus was already eliminated from the Champions League in a horrible start to this season, which also saw it win only two of its opening nine Serie A matches. The club had since bounced back to climb into the top four.
Juventus could face further penalties from UEFA, which also opened an inquiry into the club’s finances after the Turin prosecutor’s office requested indictments for Agnelli and 10 other former board members as well as the club itself.
Juventus is listed on the Milan stock exchange, which also opens it to regulatory scrutiny by the CONSOB watchdog.
At the start of the pandemic, Juventus said 23 players agreed to reduce their salary for four months to help the club through the crisis. But prosecutors claim the players gave up only one month’s salary.
Turin prosecutors have also apparently discovered more alleged secret payments to former player Cristiano Ronaldo that were not reported by Juventus.
In September, Juventus reported a record loss of 254.3 million euros ($276 million) for the 2021-22 financial year. It was the fifth consecutive year that Juventus reported a loss, and it was 44.4 million euros ($48 million) more than in 2020-21.
A preliminary hearing for the investigation by Turin prosecturs is scheduled for March.
Juventus hosts Atalanta in the league on Sunday.
Kool-BSJA Media Cup Football begins
The Kool-BSJA Six-a-side Media Cup Football Tournament'2023, organized by Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA), began on Saturday at the Artificial Turf of Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF)in the city.
Eight media teams-- The Daily Star, Dhaka Tribune, Jagonews, T-Sports, RTV, ATN Bangla, Kalbela and Shomoyer Alo --won their respective matches on the opening day.
In the day's matches, Daily Star defeated BTV 3-0; T-Sports beat Daily Sun 3-0, Shomoyer Alo beat Maasranga TV 2-0; Jagonews defeated Ajker Patrika 1-0; ATN Bangla beat Bangladesh Pratidin 1-0; RTV beat Dhaka Post 4-3 in tie breaker; Dhaka Tribune defeated Bangla News 24.com by 5-4 in tie breaker while Kalbela declared winner against Bangla Vision.
Earlier, BSJA President ATM Sayeduzzaman inaugurated the meet Saturday morning, sponsored by Square Toiletries Industries.
Former national footballer Saifur Rahman Moni, BSJA general secretary Anisur Rahman, Tournament's convenor Raihan Al Mugni and tournament secretary M Robiul Islam were also present on the occasion.
Also read: Kool-BSJA Media Cup Football begins Saturday
Thirty-two teams of different print and electronic media, split into eight groups, are initially taking part in the first phase of the meet on knock out basis.
Later, eight group champions will play in the quarterfinals.
The champions team of the meet will be awarded a prize money of Taka 30,000 while the runners-up team will get Taka 15,000.
Besides, best player of the tournament and the best player of each of the match will also be awarded, in addition to participation money of Taka 1,000 for each team.
Participating teams are:
Group A -Boishakhi TV, Ekushey TV, Janakantha and Desh Rupanthar,
Group B - Channel i , T Sports, Daily Sun, Ekhon TV
Group C -Maasranga TV, Channel 24, Bangla Tribune, Shomoyer Alo.
Group D - Jagonews, GTV, Jugantor, Ajker Patrika.
Group E -Independent TV, Rtv, Dhaka Post, Deepto TV.
Group F- Daily Star, ATN Bangla, Bangladesh Pratidin, BTV
Group G- Banga Vision, News 24, Samakal, Kalbela
Group H - Dhaka Tribune, DBC, Kaler Kantho. Bangla News 24.com
Dani Alves arrested in Spain for alleged sexual assault
Brazilian soccer player Dani Alves was arrested Friday after being accused of sexually assaulting a woman in Spain.
The alleged act took place on Dec. 31 at a night club in Barcelona, police told The Associated Press.
Alves will now go before a judge, who will decide on the charges.
The charge of sexual assault in Spain can mean anything from unsolicited and unwanted sexual groping to rape. Police said they could give no detail on the case.
Read more: Neymar loses Brazil captaincy to Dani Alves for Copa America
The 39-year-old Alves is one of soccer’s most successful players, winning major titles with several elite clubs, including Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain over his long career. He currently plays with Mexican club Pumas.
The defender was a key part of Barcelona’s golden years playing between 2008-2016 on the team’s right flank with Lionel Messi. He won the Champions League three times with the Catalan club, which he briefly rejoined last season.
Bruised Ronaldo scores twice to edge showdown with Messi
Grimacing in pain from his bruised cheekbone, Cristiano Ronaldo steadied himself before scoring from the penalty spot for his first goal in Saudi Arabia against a Paris Saint-Germain team featuring old foe Lionel Messi.
Messi had already scored early in Thursday's exhibition game when Ronaldo was flattened boxing-match style by PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas after about 30 minutes in Riyadh, the city which gained sporting prominence for hosting a world heavyweight championship boxing bout in 2019.
It wasn't Anthony Joshua but Navas who caught Ronaldo flush in the face with his forearm under a high ball.
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Both went down like felled boxers.
Ronaldo held his head, got back up, did a wide yawn as if to test his sore left cheek, and sent his former Real Madrid teammate Navas the wrong way.
By the end of the first half Ronaldo's cheekbone was bright apple red but he was all smiles after netting his second goal, smashing in a rebound when his header came back off the post. Poking his tongue out, Ronaldo wheeled away in delight and was mobbed by teammates at the corner flag.
When PSG star Kylian Mbappé checked on the state of Ronaldo’s cheek just before the second half, Ronaldo milked the attention from France's World Cup star and pointed to the red mark.
Mbappé smiled at him as if to say “You’ll be fine” and Ronaldo raised his arm in triumph like a heavyweight champion.
Messi’s Qatari-backed PSG won 5-4 against a combined XI of Saudi Arabian teams Al Nassr and Al Hilal, captained by Al Nassr’s new signing Ronaldo, in front of 68,000 fans at King Fahd International Stadium. Although his team lost, Ronaldo edged perhaps the final instalment of Ronaldo vs. Messi as one of the greatest rivalries in soccer history resumed in an unusual location.
Messi's shot led to a handball and PSG's fourth goal, scored by Mbappé from the penalty spot.
Ronaldo came off to a huge ovation just after the hour mark followed by Mbappé and Argentina's World Cup-winning star Messi, who was warmly hugged by countryman Marcelo Gallardo, coaching the combined Saudi Arabian team.
Ronaldo’s bruise darkened with the night sky as he collected his man of the match award.
He was locked in conversation with ex-Madrid teammates Sergio Ramos and Navas before the medal ceremony. Then he spoke to Portugal teammates Renato Sanches and Danilo, who play for PSG.
But Ronaldo was nowhere near Messi, almost like they avoided each other. They couldn't do that earlier on the field, when Ronaldo tackled Messi in the second minute.
Moments later, Messi smiled as he scored from Neymar’s lofted pass. Ronaldo looked annoyed with his teammates for letting Messi ghost into space. Harsh, because few defenders have ever tracked Messi’s runs, let alone stopped them. The World Cup proved that, if it was ever in doubt.
There was scant interaction between former Madrid star Ronaldo and Messi, his arch rival during Barcelona's glory days.
It was Ronaldo who tentatively approached an impassive-looking Messi at the center circle seconds before the whistle blew to start perhaps their final game as opponents.
There was a polite exchange, the briefest handshake.
Messi stared at Ronaldo late in the first half, after PSG defender Juan Bernat had been sent off, and Ronaldo seemed to look away from Messi.
It was a different mood in the tunnel beforehand, when a grinning Ronaldo hugged Ramos, who now plays alongside Messi, and joked with Ramos that he’d forgotten to remove an ear stud.
The laugh was on Ramos later, when he air-kicked a loose ball on Ronaldo’s second goal. PSG's Neymar also missed, from the penalty spot.
Read more: Rashford scores again as Man United beat Man City 2-1
The atmosphere built before the start as fans waved Argentina flags while others held up the yellow jersey of Al Nassr, pointing proudly to Ronaldo’s No. 7 on the back. The ticker tape poured from the stands as Ronaldo led his team out. He smiled and winked when he got a loud ovation.
Ronaldo could end his storied career in Riyadh after signing a deal worth a reported $200 million a year, swapping Europe’s elite club competition for the Asian Champions League.
He makes his Saudi league debut for Al Nassr on Sunday against Ettifaq, far from the fields where he shone for Manchester United and Madrid.
INTENSE RIVALRY
The Messi-Ronaldo rivalry has been among the greatest ever.
Between them they have 12 Ballon d’Or awards — Messi a record seven, Ronaldo five — and have won a combined 56 major trophies. Ronaldo won the Champions League five times, compared to Messi’s four. Messi is the all-time “El Clasico” top scorer with 26 goals for Barca, eight more than Ronaldo for Madrid.
Ronaldo won the European Championship in 2016 but Messi was brilliant in Argentina’s Copa America win in 2021 and its 2022 World Cup success.
Ronaldo is the all-time leading scorer in men’s international soccer with 118 goals, while Messi’s seven at the World Cup took him to third overall with 98.
Bangamata Hall Sports: Swatabdi champion, Tumpa runner-up
The annual sports competition of Bangamata Sheikh Fazilatunnesa Mujib Hall of Dhaka University (DU) was held on Thursday at the university's central playground.
Aspia Sarker Swatabdi of the Department of Mass Communication and Journalism became the champion and Papiya Akter Tumpa of the Department of Islamic History and Culture runner-up in the day-long competition.
Read more: Bangamata Football: Rajshahi clinch title beating Mymensingh 2-0
DU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Mohammad Samad inaugurated the competition Thursday morning.
At the closing ceremony, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor ASM Maksud Kamal handed out the prizes to the winners. Bangamata Sheikh Fazlilatunnesa Mujib Hall Provost Professor Nilufar Parvin was also present.
Bangladesh Championship League: Wari, Fortis play out 1-1 draw
Wari Club and Fortis Academy split points Thursday after their Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football 2022-23 clash in the capital ended in a 1-1 draw.
At the Birshreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur, Riaz put Wari in front in the 48th minute (1-0) after a barren first half in the day's only BCL match.
Read more: Bangladesh Championship League: Wanderers overpower Little Friends 4-1
Sabbir found the back of the net for Fortis Academy in the 79th minute (1-1).
The eighth-round matches of the BCL will begin Friday at the same venue. Gopalganj Sporting Club will play Swadhinata Krira Shangha at 10:30am; BFF Elite Football Academy will face NoFel Sporting Club at 3pm.
Bangladesh Championship League: Uttara FC hammer Little Friends 3-0
Uttara Football Club beat Little Friends Club 3-0 in the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football 2022-23 at the Birshreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Dhaka's Kamalapur Wednesday.
Jakir put Uttara FC ahead in the 45+3 minute from a penalty (1-0); Mishu scored two more goals for the winners in the 48th and 89th (3-0).
Read more: Bangladesh Championship League: Wanderers overpower Little Friends 4-1
Uttara FC's Mobinur, Jakir, Monayem and Little Friends' Nehal and Yamin were sent off.
The day's other BCL match between Brothers Union and Dhaka Wanderers ended in a goalless draw at the same venue.
Kool-BSJA Media Cup Football begins Saturday
The Kool-BSJA Media Cup Football Tournament 2023, organised by the Bangladesh Sports Journalists Association (BSJA), will begin Saturday at the artificial turf of the Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) in the capital's Motijheel.
Thirty-two teams from print and electronic media, split into eight groups, will take part in the first phase of the six-a-side tournament on a knock-out basis.
Later, eight group champions will play in the quarterfinals.
BSJA President ATM Sayeduzzaman disclosed the details of the competition at a press conference at the Bangladesh Olympic Association (BOA) Wednesday.
Assistant Manager (Marketing) of tournament sponsor Square Toiletries Tehsina Khanam, BSJA General Secretary Anisur Rahman, tournament convenor Raihan Al Mugni and tournament secretary M Robiul Islam also spoke.
The champions of the competition will get Tk30,000 as prize money; the runner-ups will get Tk15,000. Also, the best player of the tournament and the best player of each match will be awarded.
Read more: BCL Football: NoFel SC beat Gopalganj SC 2-1
Participating teams
Group A: Boishakhi TV, Ekushey TV, Janakantha, Desh Rupanthar
Group B: Channel i, T Sports, Daily Sun, Ekhon TV
Group C: Maasranga TV, Channel 24, Bangla Tribune, Samoyer Alo
Group D: Jagonews, GTV, Jugantor, Ajker Patrika
Group E: Independent TV, Rtv, Dhaka Post, Deepto TV
Group F: Daily Star, ATN Bangla, Bangladesh Pratidin, BTV
Group G: Banga Vision, News 24, Samakal, Kalbela
Group H: Dhaka Tribune, DBC, Kaler Kantho, bdnews24.com
BCL Football: NoFel SC beat Gopalganj SC 2-1
Coming from behind, NoFel Sporting Club earned 2-1 goals victory over Gopalganj Sporting Club in the Bangladesh Championship League (BCL) Football '2022-23 at the Bir Shreshtha Shaheed Shipahi Mohammad Mostafa Kamal Stadium in Kamalapur Tuesday afternoon.
Iftesham scored first for Gopalganj SC in the 25th minute while Emon leveled the margin for NoFel SC in the 42nd minute from a penalty (1-1)
Abid scored the match winning goal for NoFel SC in the 57th minute (2-1).
Earlier, the day's first match between Fortis SC Limited and Rahmatganj MFS ended in a goalless draw at the same venue.