Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal triumph

Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal triumph
Juventus’ US midfielder Weston McKennie (R) leaps in the air as he celebrates after scoring Juventus’ second goal during the UEFA Champions League, league phase day 6, match between Juventus and Manchester City at the Allianz stadium in Turin, on Dec. 11, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 12 December 2024
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Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal triumph

Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal triumph
  • City have won just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions
  • Barcelona jumped into second place in the league standings, behind Liverpool, and are guaranteed to advance after a 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund
  • The top eight qualify directly for the last 16 and the teams placed No. 9-24 go into a two-legged playoff

LONDON: Manchester City plunged deeper into trouble in the Champions League by losing 2-0 at Juventus on Wednesday, the latest setback in a scarcely believable run of poor results for the ailing English champions.

City dropped to 22nd place in the 36-team standings, with only the top 24 advancing. Progressing to the next round of the new-look format looked a certainty before the season for a team that was European champion in 2023 and has won the last four Premier League titles. But not anymore as City manager Pep Guardiola battles injuries and an apparent loss of belief among his players.

City have won just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions, with goals by Dusan Vlahovic and Weston McKennie inflicting the latest defeat and igniting Juventus’ qualification hopes.

Barcelona jumped into second place in the league standings, behind Liverpool, and are guaranteed to advance after a 3-2 win at Borussia Dortmund. Raphinha and Ferran Torres, with two goals, scored for Barca.

Arsenal beat Monaco 3-0 mainly thanks to two goals by Bukayo Saka to move into third place and be the highest of six teams on 13 points.

The top eight qualify directly for the last 16 and the teams placed No. 9-24 go into a two-legged playoff.

Danger for City

City have two games to save theier faltering Champions League campaign and the first is against Paris Saint-Germain, another giant in trouble in 25th place — one spot out of the qualifying positions.

Vlahovic put Juventus ahead in the 53rd when he powered a header goalward straight at City goalkeeper Ederson, who could only parry the ball over his own line. Two American substitutes sealed the win for Juve, with McKennie volleying home from Timothy Weah’s cross.

Juventus moved into 14th place.

Super-sub Torres

Ferran Torres came off the bench to inspire Barcelona to a fifth win in six games and push Dortmund, last season’s runner-up, out of the top eight.

Torres came on in the 71st to replace Robert Lewandowski, who had a quiet game against his former club. Just four minutes later, Torres scored a goal on the rebound from Dani Olmo’s shot.

Serhou Guirassy’s second goal of the game leveled the score at 2-2 but Torres scored again in the 85th off Lamine Yamal’s pass on the counter.

Raphinha gave Barcelona the lead before Guirassy equalized from the penalty spot. Raphinha and Guirassy are tied for second place in the scoring chart on six goals, behind Lewandowski’s competition-high seven.

Home comforts for Arsenal

Arsenal secured a third straight home win without conceding in the league stage, with Saka scoring in the 34th and 78th minutes and sending in a shot that was turned into the net by substitute Kai Havertz in the 88th.

Arsenal are ahead of Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, Inter Milan, Brest and Lille on goal difference. Lille won 3-2 at home to Sturm Graz on Wednesday.

In-form Alvarez

Man City could sure do with Julian Alvarez at the moment.

With a brilliant curling finish to open the scoring, the Argentina striker helped Atletico Madrid beat Slovan Bratislava 3-1 and provide a timely reminder of what City are missing after selling him for more than $100 million in August. Alvarez has 12 goals for the season, with four coming in the Champions League.

Antoine Griezmann scored Atletico’s other two goals at Metropolitano stadium as the Spanish team climbed to 11th place after a 10th straight win in all competitions.

Tribute to grieving teammate

When Lukasz Lakomy gave Young Boys the lead against Stuttgart, he ran toward the sideline and held up teammate Meschack Elia’s jersey as others gathered around him.

The gesture was a tribute after Elia’s son died unexpectedly this week after a short illness. Elia wasn’t playing as he was on his way to his native Congo, where his son died, to be with his family.

Both teams wore black armbands and there was a moment of silence before the game, which was won 5-1 by Stuttgart.


Moroccan kickboxer Ilias Ennahachi to star at ONE 171 in Qatar

Moroccan kickboxer Ilias Ennahachi to star at ONE 171 in Qatar
Updated 4 min 30 sec ago
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Moroccan kickboxer Ilias Ennahachi to star at ONE 171 in Qatar

Moroccan kickboxer Ilias Ennahachi to star at ONE 171 in Qatar
  • The former Flyweight kickboxing world champion will face Petchtanong Petchfergus on Feb. 20

DUBAI: Moroccan martial arts star and former ONE Flyweight Kickboxing world champion Ilias Ennahachi will face Petchtanong Petchfergus at ONE Championship's show ONE 171: Qatar on Feb. 20 at Lusail Sports Arena.

The winner of the matchup could be the next challenger for the ONE Bantamweight Kickboxing world title which will be on the line in the show's main event as Jonathan Haggerty defends his gold against Chinese veteran Wei Rui. 

Ennahachi has won both his two bouts since moving to bantamweight, most recently defeating second-ranked Hiroki Akimoto via unanimous decision at ONE Friday Fights 81 on September 27, taking his ONE record to 5-0 and his overall professional record to 40-3. 

The 28-year-old Moroccan is one of the promotion's most established stars and the only fighter to beat current two-sports champion Superlek Kiatmoo.  

Meanwhile, 39-year-old veteran Petchtanong most recently picked up a knockout win against former divisional champion Alaverdi Ramazanov in June after returning to action for the first time in two years. 

The experienced Thai owns an incredible 359-56 overall professional record.  


PFL opens 2025 with stacked card in Dubai

PFL opens 2025 with stacked card in Dubai
Updated 13 January 2025
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PFL opens 2025 with stacked card in Dubai

PFL opens 2025 with stacked card in Dubai
  • Undefeated Russian champion Usman Nurmagomedov will take on Ireland’s Paul Hughes at Coca-Cola Arena on Jan. 25

DUBAI: The Professional Fighters League has its first major event of 2025 with the Road To Dubai Champions Series at the Coca-Cola Arena on Jan. 25.

Headlining the PFL card is a highly-anticipated matchup between undefeated Bellator lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and Ireland’s surging contender Paul “Big News” Hughes.

Nurmagomedov, the cousin of mixed martial arts great Khabib Nurmagomedov, comes into the fight with a pristine 19-0 record and two successful title defenses.

Hughes, meanwhile, is riding a seven-fight win streak, including a victory over former Bellator champion AJ McKee.

To add more fuel to the fire, Hughes said he is drawing inspiration for the fight from Khabib’s recent criticism of Ireland’s MMA fighters.

Meanwhile former Bellator light-heavyweight champion Vadim Nemkov takes on seasoned knockout artist Tim Johnson.

Nemkov, who was dominant at light-heavyweight and set a league record for title defenses, moved up to heavyweight in 2024 with a victory over former PFL champion Bruno Cappelozza.

A PFL and Bellator veteran, Johnson has 18 career victories, with 10 knockouts.

The Road to Dubai Champions Series will also feature MMA fighters from nations including the US, UAE, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Philippines and Brazil.

 

 

MAIN CARD

 

Bellator Lightweight World Championship: Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Paul Hughes

Heavyweight: Vadim Nemkov vs. Tim Johnson

Featherweight: Akhmed Magomedov vs. Nathan Kelly

Featherweight: Ibragim Ibragimov vs. Kenny Mokhonoana

Bantamweight: Renat Khavalov vs. Cleiver Fernandes

 

 

PRELIMINARY CARD

 

Middleweight: Tarek Suleiman vs. Ahmed Samy

Middleweight: Yakus Sulimanov vs. Jarrah Al-Selawe

Lightweight: Hadi Omar Al-Hussaini vs. Ruel Panales

Lightweight: John Mitchell vs. Souhil Tairi

Middleweight: Mostafa Nada vs. Haider Khan


Great Britain & Ireland complete emphatic victory at the 2025 Team Cup

Great Britain & Ireland complete emphatic victory at the 2025 Team Cup
Updated 13 January 2025
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Great Britain & Ireland complete emphatic victory at the 2025 Team Cup

Great Britain & Ireland complete emphatic victory at the 2025 Team Cup
  • Tommy Fleetwood the only player undefeated over 3 days after 17–8 victory over Continental Europe at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort

ABU DHABI: Great Britain & Ireland recorded an emphatic 17-8 victory over Continental Europe at the 2025 Team Cup on Sunday at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort.

The GB&I side, led by Justin Rose, held a commanding seven-point lead at the start of play, needing just two points to complete their triumph ahead of Sunday’s singles session.

Rose said it was a “huge honor” to lead the team. “Loved the challenge of it. Loved the experience of it, and the lads have made me look incredibly good at it.”

“The way they played was first class,” he added. “We had one clear message, which was to get on the front foot to try to be relentless to play wave after wave.

“Playing on a big lead, everybody felt like we could get the job done, but just to focus on individual and personal pride, kind of continue the message of the week.”

Englishman Laurie Canter earned the first point of the afternoon as he beat the previously undefeated Romain Langasque 5&4, and Tommy Fleetwood claimed the crucial winning point for his side, just as the Ryder Cup stalwart did at Marco Simone in 2023, defeating Matthieu Pavon 3&1.

Fleetwood’s victory over the Frenchman gave him a perfect record as he ended the event as the only player to win all four of his matches across the three days.

The GB&I team threatened a rout as they led in nine of the 10 matches at one stage during the afternoon.

But Continental Europe orchestrated a brave fightback, first with Niklas Norgaard winning 3&2 against Matthew Jordan, followed by Antoine Rozer and Matteo Manassero, who each won their matches 1Up.

“The leaderboard early in the round was astonishing, really,” Rose added. “Every credit to Continental Europe and Francesco himself and the team as a whole.

“The whole matches were played in great spirit but yeah, my team definitely holed the right putts at the right time and won most of those key matches.”

“You can’t simulate the intensity of a Ryder Cup with the crowd and the energy,” the GB&I captain added. “But at the end of the day, as soon as you put a crest here and you have 10 mates right behind you, you want to win.

“Even practice rounds playing with our mates on tour, you never like to lose. So the intensity is there. The competitiveness is there. Just the environment is hard to simulate.

Continental Europe’s Captain Francesco Molinari came back from two down with seven holes to play to earn half a point against Jordan Smith.

And Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard staged an equally impressive comeback as he battled a three-hole deficit with five to play, halving against Aaron Rai.

“I think I probably could have done a slightly better job with the boys,” Molinari said.

“They gave it all they had. Our side was maybe more inexperienced players in this kind of event but they are great guys and they did their best. The GB&I team was just too hard for us this week.”


Afghanistan name Champions Trophy squad amid boycott calls

Afghanistan name Champions Trophy squad amid boycott calls
Updated 13 January 2025
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Afghanistan name Champions Trophy squad amid boycott calls

Afghanistan name Champions Trophy squad amid boycott calls
  • Afghanistan have recalled fit-again Ibrahim Zadran in their 15-man Champions Trophy squad
  • There are calls to boycott Afghanistan matches due to Taliban crackdown on women’s rights 

Afghanistan have recalled fit-again Ibrahim Zadran in their 15-man Champions Trophy squad, amid ongoing calls for teams to boycott matches against them due to the Taliban government’s crackdown on women’s rights since returning to power in 2021.

Afghan opener Zadran has recovered from ankle surgery to make the squad but team management decided against rushing Mujeeb Ur Rehman back into 50-overs cricket after the spinner sprained his hand last year.

Fellow spinner AM Ghaznafar has been drafted in as a like-for-like replacement for Mujeeb.

Afghanistan have brought in former Pakistan captain Younis Khan to mentor the side in what will mark their first appearance in the tournament featuring the top eight One-Day International teams in the world.

“Afghanistan have performed exceptionally well in the past two ICC events,” chairman of the Afghanistan Cricket Board Mirwais Ashraf said in a statement on Sunday.

“Their impressive performances in these two event coupled with their ODI series victories last year will undoubtedly boost their morale and help them deliver an even better campaign this time.”

The Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side may be faced with some off-field distractions in Pakistan with Group B rivals England and South Africa being urged to boycott their matches.

Both the ECB and Cricket South Africa have ruled out boycotts against Afghanistan in multi-team competitions organized by the governing International Cricket Council (ICC).

They would rather follow a unified and collective approach from all ICC members, the boards said.

Afghanistan begin their campaign against South Africa in Karachi on Feb. 21.

Afghanistan squad: Hashmatullah Shahidi (captain), Rahmat Shah, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wicketkeeper), Ikram Alikhil (wicketkeeper), Ibrahim Zadran, Sediqullah Atal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mohammad Nabi, Gulbadin Naib, Rashid Khan, AM Ghazanfar, Noor Ahmad, Fazal Haq Farooqi, Naveed Zadran, Farid Ahmad Malik


Cummins, Hazlewood return to Australia squad for Champions Trophy in Pakistan

Cummins, Hazlewood return to Australia squad for Champions Trophy in Pakistan
Updated 13 January 2025
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Cummins, Hazlewood return to Australia squad for Champions Trophy in Pakistan

Cummins, Hazlewood return to Australia squad for Champions Trophy in Pakistan
  • Pat Cummins opted out of Sri Lanka series starting this month for the birth of his second child 
  • Opener Jake Fraser-McGurk was dropped from squad after his poor recent form against Pakistan

MELBOURNE: Pat Cummins returns for Australia’s ICC Champions Trophy campaign in Pakistan next month after skipping their Sri Lanka Test tour, with injured paceman Josh Hazlewood also in the squad announced Monday.

Australian captain Cummins opted out of the Sri Lanka series starting later this month for the birth of his second child. He is also reportedly carrying a knee injury.

Hazlewood was included in the two-time tournament winners’ preliminary 15-man line-up after calf and side strains restricted him to just two Tests against India over the summer.

While they return, opener Jake Fraser-McGurk was dumped, paying the price for his poor recent form after opening for Australia during their most-recent one-day series against Pakistan.

“This is a balanced and experienced squad with the core having been involved in the previous one-day World Cup, the West Indies series, last year’s successful tour of the UK and the more recent Pakistan home series,” said chief selector George Bailey.

“It offers a variety of options for touring management depending on opposition and the conditions that may present in Pakistan.”

The eight-nation Champions Trophy, between February 19 and March 9, will be played in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Australia squad: Pat Cummins (capt), Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Matt Short, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa