تحدث محمد يوسف المدير الفني السابق لـ الأهلي، عن صعوبة مواجهة الوداد في دوري أبطال إفريقيا.

الأهلي يلتقي مع الوداد يوم السبت المقبل في ذهاب دور نصف نهائي البطولة الأكبر على المستوي القاري.

وقال يوسف في تصريحات إذاعية عبر أثير راديو “أون سبورت إف إم”: “مباراة الذهاب تعتبر شوطا واحدا فقط، والأخر الذي سيُلعب في القاهرة، والمدير الفني بيتسو موسيماني لديه دراية كاملة وخبرات كبيرة بأجواء إفريقيا”.

وتابع: “لابد أن يسجل الأهلي هدفًا في المباراة على ملعب الوداد، ويجب أن يتم تحفيز اللاعبين للقيام بذلك”.

طالع أيضًا.. الأهلي يُعلن جاهزية لاعبه لمباراة الوداد

وأكمل: “المباراة ستكون مغلقة من الجانبين، والوداد والرجاء فريقان لديهما مميزات تكتيكية ويلعبان بجماعية”.

وأوضح: “على الرغم من كونهما أقل في الناحية البدنية والمهارية، لكن لابد من توخي الحذر من التكتيكك الجماعي الخاص بهما، ومن حظ الأهلي والزمالك عدم وجود جماهير”.

وأختتم: “المباراتان ستتسمان بالصعوبة على الفرق الأربعة، وكذلك الإياب مهما كانت نتيجة المواجهة الأولى، ويجب عدم وجود فارق أهداف كبير لأن ذلك يؤثر بالسلب على الناحية النفسية للاعبين”.

Leeds are in need of a replacement for the injured Barry Douglas and it’s Jack Clarke’s time to step up and take them to the Premier League.

He’s played 17 times for the Whites this season and his impact off the bench has saved vital points as the club look to return to the top flight. Barry Douglas will be out for the rest of the season, and the fans will fear it has the potential to end Leeds’ campaign with disappointment.

The way Marcelo Bielsa’s side plays, the forwards must take advantage of the possession and chances they create, because the back four can be left exposed to counter attacks with them pressed so high up the field. Giving teams confidence by failing to score can be fatal.

That’s why it’s so important Clarke makes use of his opportunity. From what we’ve seen of him off the bench, the instant impact he has with his pace and unpredictability can be the difference between three points and none.

He’s just 18-years-old and that’s more an advantage than a hindrance for a winger. It means he plays without fear and he’s going to have to do just that considering the weight of expectation on all the players’ shoulders to take them back to the top division.

Elland Road will have more patience with the Englishman because of his age and nationality, so that’s also a factor pointing to how the Douglas injury won’t be the end of the world for this year’s promotion push. It’s going to be a big step up, but he can handle it.

It’s crunch time in the race to the Premier League, but Jack Clarke will thrive as he fills the void down the left flank. Douglas has been hugely influential this season, but this lad can make sure he’s not sorely missed.

Leeds fans, how do you think Jack Clarke will cope if he’s made the main man down the left for the rest of the season? Join the discussion by commenting below.

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Loads of Rangers fans have been reflecting on the weekend’s action, and they’re absolutely fuming at Connor Goldson.

Goldson has become a very popular figure at Ibrox since his summer move from Brighton, making 44 appearances so far in his first season with the club.

The 26 year-old has been the one fixture in the heart of Steven Gerrard’s defence as the gaffer chops and changes between Gareth McAuley, Nikola Katic and Joe Worrall for the other centre back spot.

Pl>ymaker FC Exclusive: Jermaine Jenas reveals he often received racist abuse after North London Derbies – Check out the video below…

However, his form has gone off the deep end in recent weeks, and his showing in Friday’s 1-1 draw at Easter Road is drawing a lot of criticism.

The Gers travelled to take on Hibernian knowing only a win would realistically keep them in the title race, but Florian Kamberi’s second half strike cancelled out a wonderful opener from Daniel Candeias.

Celtic’s goalless draw on Saturday keeps a faint glimmer of hope alive, but fans are fuming nonetheless, and the Twitter reactions down below are pointing a lot of that fume at Goldson…

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Jack Ross could make himself a Sunderland hero in the final months of the season with victory in the Checkatrade Trophy and a successful promotion bid, and he has made it clear that he will need to maximise his resources to see both jobs through.

What’s the word?

Sunderland look set to be boosted by the return of Bryan Oviedo and Chris Maguire during the crucial final weeks of the season.

Of his current injury problems Ross admitted that “Bryan is the one who’s closest”, per Northern Echo, but his broader assessment on the situation suggests that both Oviedo and Maguire will have key roles to play.

“I think they all understand they’re going to get opportunities between now and the end of the season because of the schedule we have.”

Following the EFL Trophy final, Ross will have nine games left to navigate to take the Black Cats back into the second tier. The dynamism from Maguire and the experience of Oviedo could be vital in achieving the club’s primary objective for the season.

Big roles to play for Maguire and Oviedo?

Sunderland’s schedule is looking hectic to say the least, with ten fixtures set to be played in the space of little more than a month.

That run starts at Wembley against Portsmouth in less than a fortnight’s time, and the relentless fixture list strongly suggests that Ross’ resources will be stretched at the end of a long season.

The former Everton man’s return will offer Ross the opportunity to rotate his full-backs, easing the physical burden which his absence would place on Reece James, while Maguire can ensure that Sunderland’s attacking unit remains fresh and unpredictable.

Duncan Watmore has unfortunately been ruled out for the season, but Ross’ latest admission suggests the players who are set to overcome their injury problems will be vital in the promotion race.

Both Birmingham City and Aston Villa have, unsurprisingly, been charged by the Football Association for failing to ensure that their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion during Sunday’s Second City derby.

The charges relate to an incident following a poor challenge on Villa’s Jack Grealish, by City’s Maikel Kieftenbeld, which resulted in a melee involving a number of players from both teams.

BBC Sport report that both clubs have until Monday to respond to the charge.

The FA action was largely expected, and the fact that it may have perpetuated the disgraceful assault on Grealish by a City fan, meant the charge was somewhat inevitable.

It would be a surprise to hear that either club will contest the charge, which will more than likely result in a hefty fine.

Certainly the fracas set the tone for a feisty opening, and the FA are right to lay down the law on the rivals.

It is certainly not the example that players are expected to set for young fans, and their responsibilities as role-models need to be considered at all times.

Grealish, of course, went on to get the winning goal, and secure a precious three points in their push for a play-off spot.

Was the FA’s action correct? Should the club accept the charge and move on? Let us know what you think…

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According to Il Messaggero, West Ham United are still hoping to sign Edin Dzeko from Roma this summer, despite strong competition from Inter Milan.

Dzeko is enjoying another productive campaign for Roma, finding the back of the net on 12 occasions in 30 appearances in all competitions.

The centre-forward has actually scored a very impressive 85 times in 169 appearances  for his Italian club since arriving from Manchester City, initially on loan.

Dzeko will see his contract in Rome expire in June 2020, though, and it has previously been suggested that West Ham were in the market for the striker.

The West Ham fans have been on social media offering their views on the transfer report and it would be fair to say that there are some mixed opinions.

Indeed, whilst a number want their side to move for Dzeko as a replacement for Andy Carroll, others feel that the 33-year-old is not what the club need.

A selection of the Twitter reaction can be seen below:

وجه نجم فريق ليفربول محمد صلاح رسالة إلى زميله فيرجيل فان دايك بعد بيان النادي الإنجليزي حول الإصابة التي تعرض لها، في مباراة الأمس أمام إيفرتون في بطولة الدوري الإنجليزي الممتاز.

وتلاقى الفريقان في جوديسون بارك، في الجولة الخامسة من البريميرليج حيث تعادلا بهدفين لمثليهما.

وشهدت المباراة إصابة قوية لـ فان دايك بعد تدخل عنيف من حارس إيفرتون، جوردان بيكفورد، واضطر للخروج في الدقيقة 11 من عمر الشوط الأول.

وأوضح ليفربول في بيان رسمي، منذ قليل، أن فان دايك سيخضع لعملية جراحية بسبب إصابته بتمزق في أربطة الركبة (لمطالعة التفاصيل من هنا).

وكتب محمد صلاح، عبر حسابه الشخصي بموقع تويتر: “أتمنى لك الشفاء العاجل أيها الرجل العظيم”.

I wish you a speedy recovery big man pic.twitter.com/8kbK9rjy8O — Mohamed Salah (@MoSalah) October 18, 2020

Middlesbrough fans are being put through the proverbial mill at the current time. Their team has lost five in a row, they have slipped out of the play-off places and there is unrest in the stands aimed at their manager, Tony Pulis.

But it was not always this bad.

A moment in time – Middlesbrough, 2006

This month sees 13 years pass, since Boro’ performed a Riverside miracle, not once, but twice, in the UEFA Cup.

Not many teams can claim to have recovered from three goal deficits in a two-legged European tie, to advance to the next round. That Boro’ did exactly that, twice in just three weeks, is remarkable.

In the quarter-final of the competition, outsiders Middlesbrough were despatched 2-0 by Swiss side, FC Basle. It looked an uphill task in the second leg for Steve McClaren’s side, and it looked an impossible one when the visitors took the lead in the 23rd minute of the return meeting.

Basle, three goals up, with an away goal in their pocket, just had to see out the remaining 67 minutes, and they were through to the semis.

Aussie, Mark Viduka, scored for the hosts just ten minutes later, but it would be no more than a consolation now… wouldn’t it?

In an incredible second half, Viduka got his second, and suddenly the home side saw a glimmer of hope.

Daniel Majstorovic was dismissed in the 73rd minute for a raised arm, and the visibly wilting Swiss side subsequently conceded, when Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink launched a torpedo of a shot into the net.

Suddenly, it was game on!

Pandemonium was taking over the Riverside, and just when it appeared that time would beat them, Massimo Maccarone nudged home a rebound in the 90th minute.

Unbelieveable! A semi-final against Steaua Bucharest was all that stood between Boro’ and a major European Final.

But they were heading out, when they again found themselves three goals down in the second leg. This time, after losing the away tie 1-0, they conceded two away goals in the opening 25 minutes of the second to make it a forlorn hope.

But Boro’s players had not read the script.

Maccarone scored just after the half-hour and Viduka added a second in the 64th minute.

The Riverside was suddenly alive again, as memories of the previous round were swirling in their head.

Amid the expectant buzz, Chris Riggott slotted home an untidy third — but no one cared about that. It was Groundhog Day for the home fans!

It was bedlam inside the packed stadium.

Like the last game, again, time ticked down. Again Boro’ looked like they would fall just short. But again, Maccarone was on hand to leap onto the end of a Stewart Downing cross, and achieve the impossible.

Boro’ — the now Comeback Kings — had risen from the dead to book a trip to Eindhoven, where they would face Sevilla in the UEFA Cup FInal!

The story did not have the fairy-tale ending, with the Spanish side romping to a 4-0 victory, but what Middlesbrough did that April, will go down in, not just Teesside folklore, but the European history books, and will probably never be matched.

Were you at those games, Boro’ fans? Do you yearn for those days back again? Let us know your thoughts and memories…

The life of a goalkeeper can be lonely at times.

You normally spend the least amount of time on the ball during a game than anyone else, and you’re the first player to be blamed should your team lose by a goal or two. Now how to do you think the backup keeper on the bench feels?

Backup goalkeepers are some of the most patient people in the game of football. These players could spend months, if not years, just waiting on the bench hoping for an opportunity to come up so they can impress the manager and the fans that they belong a place in the starting eleven.

For Spurs keeper Michel Vorm, this has been his career since 2014 when the then Swansea ‘keeper made the move from the Welsh side to the English capital as back-up for Hugo Lloris in the prime years of his career.

Although Vorm is a liked and respected figure in the Spurs dressing room, people forget that during his time at Swansea the Dutch international was one of the most consistent performers between the sticks in the Premier League.

During his first season in the top flight, Vorm kept 13 clean sheets, just four less than Joe Hart who had the most that campaign with 17, and the Dutchman was named Swansea’ Supporters’ Player of the Year, Players’ Player and the Away Player awards during the same season.

For the next two seasons Vorm only kept 14 clean sheets across the two campaigns, however, the Dutch keeper was able to have his first taste of European football as Swansea made it to the Europa League group stage and eventually the round of 32 after winning the League Cup the season prior. And then Spurs came knocking for around £4.5m plus the services of Gylfi Sigurdsson.

He likely joined with the intention of rivalling Hugo Lloris for a starting berth, but as we all know, that didn’t happen.

Since the transfer Vorm has only ever made 47 appearances in the five years the now 35-year-old has been at the club, or about one appearance every 39 days the keeper has been at the club.

Vorm’s move to Spurs has not only wasted opportunities for a younger ‘keepers at Spurs to be the number two and learn from a keeper of Lloris’s quality, but it has stalled what was a promising Premier League career for the Dutch keeper who could have moved to other clubs for first-team football in his prime years.

It might be kind on his wallet, and Tottenham are undeniably lucky to have a player of his quality on the bench, but from a talent perspective, his move to Spurs has been a waste.

Spurs fans, did Tottenham make a mistake signing Vorm?

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Crystal Palace have completed the signing of Jacob Mensah from non-league Ramsgate FC, with the defender set to link up with the Under-23’s until Eagles chiefs feel he can make the gargantuan step up to the Premier League. Which of two paths will he take having made the move?

Who is he?

The 18-year-old, who was previously linked with Wolves and Cardiff, has been likened to Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling – the former England international was also plucked from obscurity.

Ramsgate boss Nick Davis has said of the switch:

“I congratulate Jacob on his move as I feel Jacob has the opportunity to make the grade within the professional game and thank him for his time at Ramsgate FC.”

Who will he be?

The last time Palace signed a young(ish) centre-back was when they brought Jaroslaw Jach to south London from Zaglebie Lubin in a woeful January transfer window – the Pole has yet to make an appearance for the first team.

Instead, the defender signed for Turkish outfit Caykur Rizespor on loan in the summer and then, with that stint failing, joined Sheriff Tiraspol in the Moldovan top flight – ouch.

Now 25, Jach’s career in SE25 seems to be over before it has even begun – Mensah will be hoping that he doesn’t follow a similar path, instead achieving the success Smalling has found since leaving Maidstone all those years ago.

Be sure to check out the incredible story of the man who rose from a Tanzanian refugee camp to become one of Australia’s biggest football stars in the video below…

Certainly, Mensah will have his work cut out in the coming years to oust any of the current first team crop from the starting XI but he could be the next young defender to come through the ranks – or, like Jach’s career looks set to pan out, be sent out on a number of loans before eventually being sold for peanuts or leaving on a free.