With the season now at a close, Arsenal can take stock and prepare to go again in 2024/25, with Mikel Arteta no doubt seeking those extra tweaks to help his side from challengers into champions.
Having come so close to ending their barren Premier League run last term, the Gunners went big in the transfer market with the signings of David Raya, Kai Havertz, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice, the latter man having arguably been the "stand-out signing" of the season, according to Alan Shearer.
Declan Rice
Further high-profile additions, like that of the ex-West Ham United skipper, will surely be needed if the north Londoners are to find that edge over Manchester City, with Arteta and co seemingly already seeking out much-needed recruits.
Arsenal's search for a midfielder
Much of the talk at present has been centred around the club's apparent interest in Newcastle United star, Bruno Guimaraes, with the Brazilian maestro said to have a £100m release clause in his current Magpies contract, running until late June.
As per journalist Ben Jacobs, however, the suggestion is that "Arsenal have no plans to trigger the clause" and will "only consider" a move if the former Lyon man's price drops this summer.
Amid that hesitation surrounding their pursuit of Guimaraes, Jacobs has suggested that Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi is a "more concrete possibility" in Arteta's search for a midfielder, with the Spaniard having been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates of late.
Martin Zubimendi
With a far more reasonable £52m release clause of his own – according to reports – the 25-year-old may represent a far cheaper Guimaraes alternative this summer.
How Zubimendi could fit in at Arsenal
Having begun the season trialling Kai Havertz in a left-eight role, with Odegaard and Rice making up the midfield trio, it was noticeable that Arteta ended the campaign by reverting back to last season's system, with Thomas Partey holding the fort in front of the back four.
With the Ghanaian international believed to be on his way this summer, a replacement will seemingly need to be found to operate as the club's number six, thus in turn allowing Rice to be truly felt loose in a more advanced, box-to-box berth.
The Englishman has himself revealed that his "strongest position" is in a deeper role, yet he has shown his ability to operate further forward this season, scoring seven goals and providing nine assists in the Premier League alone in 23/24.
That attack-minded approach can be maintained if the £105m man has a stable figure like Zubimendi behind him, with the "special" talent – as hailed by journalist Antonio Mango – notably recovering 5.5 balls per game in La Liga this season, as well as averaging 2.8 tackles and interceptions per game.
League stats
Zubimendi
Guimaraes
Games
31
37
Goals
4
7
Assists
1
8
Pass accuracy
86%
85%
Big chances created
2
12
Key passes per game
0.5
1.7
Tackles & interceptions per game
2.8
3.3
Balls recovered per game
5.5
6.4
Total duels won
55%
57%
Possession lost per game
8.7
14.9
The "underrated" ace – as per Mango – typically operates as a protective screen in front of the back four, with his performances in that role even seeing him dubbed one of the "best centre-midfielders in the world" by national team boss, Luis de la Fuente.
Having such an asset could then allow Rice to do what he does best and surge forward at any opportunity, the former Hammers man ranking in the top 18% among his European peers for progressive carries per 90, as well as in the top 9% for progressive passes.
As much benefitting from the impact Zubimendi can have his own right, the key thing may be the difference it could make to Rice's game, allowing the Gunners' record signing to be truly unleashed in the years to come.
Arsenal could seal a bigger deal than Rice in "world-class" Jesus upgrade
The incredible star would be a transformational signing in north London.
Jurgen Klopp's guest appearance for Borussia Dortmund at the Champions League final last weekend signified that, yes, he's gone. Liverpool no longer wield the German's larger-than-life aura in the dugout.
It's understood that Arne Slot will spend a bit of time settling in and assessing his squad before conferring with Michael Edwards, FSG's CEO of Football, and Richard Hughes, Liverpool's sporting director, and swooping for exciting new additions.
It's generally understood that Anfield seeks a central defender and a wide forward above all else, but there are other areas of concern, with the midfield in need of bolstering despite last summer's sweeping changes.
Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones.
Wataru Endo was assigned to the holding midfield after his surprise arrival from Stuttgart, targetted following defeat to Chelsea in the race for Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo, but the 31-year-old is solid if unspectacular and a long-term fix is needed.
As such, Edwards and his team will pounce at any opportunity – and might have found the perfect star to move for.
Liverpool lead the race for top talent
According to Portuguese outlet O Jogo – via the Liverpool Echo – Liverpool are among the contenders to sign Benfica prodigy Joao Neves, with the Reds said to be leading the race alongside Premier League rivals Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain are also named as suitors but English soil is indeed the 19-year-old's preferred destination at this stage.
Benfica midfielder Joao Neves
Neves is Benfica's prized asset and the Liga Portugal outfit will be reluctant to let him leave for anything less than the value of his release clause, which stands at a staggering £102m.
Joao Neves' style of play
It's a dangerous game overhyping a youngster who has scarcely dipped their toes into the senior scene, but then it's hard to ignore the talent of Neves, who truly has the trappings of a world-class star in the future.
While he's only just completed his breakout year at the Estadio da Luz, Neves is technically impressive, press-resistant and composed, playing with gusto and being rewarded with a key role in Roger Schmidt's squad, playing every minute across Benfica's Champions League group phase and subsequent six fixtures in the Europa League knockout phase.
Moreover, he was utterly breathtaking throughout his side's top-flight campaign, demonstrating his energy and exuberance across his 33 appearances, clinching three goals and one assist.
His performances at this fledgling phase have led analyst Ben Mattinson to gush over the "genuinely so complete" style of play, even declaring that Neves will "become one of the best CMs" – such is his potential.
Benfica's Joao Neves
Sure, Liverpool would have to pay through the nose to sign the young Portuguese, though if FSG want to prove to supporters that ambition has remained intact following Klopp's leave, there wouldn't be many ways to better show as much as beating the opposition to Neves' signature.
How Neves could fit in at Liverpool
Slot will be determined to winnow out any weaknesses in Liverpool's first-team squad. While Endo should remain a part of the pack, it's inconceivable that the Japan international sits as the starring midfield anchor at the dawn of a new era.
Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo
This is not to rail against a skill set proven as industrious and capable alongside the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, fellow signings of last summer, but, rather, to underscore the importance of signing a player with the quality to grow into one of the world's best.
And Neves is that player. Still a teenager, he's truly demonstrating all of the qualities needed to rival the Rodri's and the Declan Rice's of the Premier League, affectionately dubbed "the little warrior from Seixal" by talent scout Jacek Kulig for his exploits this season.
Matches played
33
29
Matches started
27
20
Touches per game
76.5
54.4
Pass completion
90%
88%
Key passes per game
0.8
0.6
Dribbles per game
1.2
0.3
Recoveries per game
6.4
3.7
Tackles per game
2.0
1.7
Interceptions per game
1.0
0.7
Clearances per game
1.0
1.0
Duels won per game
6.0
3.9
It's rather clear that Neves would mark an upgrade on Endo, effectively eclipsing him across almost every metric when setting league statistics side by side and assessing the data.
And this would only enhance Slot's Liverpool squad. Szoboszlai has not always had the easiest ride on Merseyside after signing from RB Leipzig in a £60m deal last summer, wowing the Kop with his ferocious striking power and robust skills but suffering from injuries, errors and a failure to influence games during the latter phase of the season.
Dominik Szoboszlai is dejected for Liverpool
The Hungarian started only once across Liverpool's final six matches led by Klopp and it's surely now crucial that he wins over his new gaffer swiftly, but without the presence of a high-level defensive midfielder, this might be difficult.
But by employing Neves in the Liverpool engine room, Szoboszlai's abundant natural quality would resurface. Indeed, the 23-year-old ranks among the top 8% of midfielders across Europe's top five leagues over the past year for goals, the top 4% for shot-creating actions, the top 16% for progressive passes and the top 3% for progressive carries per 90, as per FBref.
Patently, he's got his strengths. But Szoboszlai also ranks among the bottom 10% for tackles and the bottom 30% for interceptions, so without the ubiquitous presence of a player like Neves, his finest football is nullified.
Especially as Klopp sort of shoehorned him into a position at the heart of the field, differentiating from his more attack-focused deployment when in Germany.
Dominik Szoboszlai for Liverpool.
Slot, as luck would have it, likes to play with a No. 10 and this could see Szoboszlai restored and perhaps even improved under the Anfield lights. But Neves would surely still be a necessity, lest Szoboszlai find himself isolated in more offensive territory.
Okay, Liverpool need a defender; Slot wants a nice new winger. But an effective and multi-faceted defensive midfielder is the lifeforce of a top team, and this might be the most important move of the summer for a new-look Liverpool side.
Sky Sports: £9,000-p/w Liverpool ace has "informed" Reds he wants to leave
Both England forwards came off the bench at the same time on Sunday, but while Mead found a Gunners equaliser, her team-mate wasted a glorious chance
As an opening weekend fixture between two title rivals, Arsenal's clash with Manchester City had plenty of expectations to live up to on Sunday. And it certainly did just that, these two Women's Super League giants producing a memorable 2-2 draw which was certainly not without incident. From Vivianne Miedema's return to the Emirates to yet more debate about VAR, it was an eventful afternoon in north London.
These are two teams expected to be towards the top of the table come the end of this new season. City were extremely close to winning just their second WSL title last season, only to be hunted down in the end by Chelsea. The Blues overtook them on goal difference in the final week of the campaign to win a fifth-successive crown, and the fact that it was a defeat to Arsenal on the penultimate weekend which really cost City meant this fixture had a revenge feel about it.
For Arsenal, the expectation is to be in that battle with the two teams in blue this year. In the past two seasons, that has not been the case. Last year, they were some five points adrift at the end, though it was better than the 11-point gap from the campaign prior. With signings like Mariona Caldentey from Barcelona, the excitement was palpable as another big crowd hurried to the Emirates on Sunday.
In the end, perhaps the draw poured a bit of cold water on all the hype then. It means no extremely premature narratives will be drawn, no one comes out on a huge high or having endured a huge low, and neither really threw down a marker on an occasion that certainly provided the opportunity to do so. Instead, it's a point that will be particularly valuable to someone come May, but the majority of the fun will come in the time until then, as we prepare to find out just who that will be.
GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Emirates Stadium…
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WINNER: Vivianne Miedema
It's been a rough couple of years for Miedema. After rupturing her ACL back in December 2022, the forward went through 10 months of rehab and recovery in order to finally get back on the pitch, then needed to have a second surgery on the same knee earlier this year. As a result, when her move to Man City this summer has been discussed, it has come with caveats surrounding her fitness and whether she can get back to her brilliant best.
Anyone who doubted either of those things was proven wrong on Sunday, then. Deployed in a deeper role when compared to the centre-forward position she predominantly thrived in for so many years in Arsenal's colours, Miedema was City's liveliest player throughout this huge game and her confidence was evident when she almost scored from 30 yards out in the opening minutes.
She'd have to wait a little bit longer to get her goal, and it wasn't as good as that would have been given it took a hefty deflection, but she made her mark and with the lovely footwork she showed to set up the shot, the intelligent pressing she executed throughout the game and the regular applause-worthy passes she produced, she reminded everyone just what she is about.
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LOSER: Alessia Russo
When Alessia Russo was called upon by Jonas Eidevall in the 63rd minute, she would have entered the fray desperate to prove a point to her manager. The Swede has been reluctant to field his two strikers – Russo and Stina Blackstenius – up front together since the former’s blockbuster arrival from Manchester United last summer. And on this occasion, it was the Swede who got the nod, with Eidevall pointing to her ability to exploit City’s weakness in transition during his pre-match broadcast interview.
In the first half, it became clear that this selection had been an inspired one, with Blackstenius getting plenty of service in behind whenever Arsenal forced a turnover. But despite having at least two golden chances to score, her finishing left an awful lot to be desired.
This set the scene perfectly for Russo to come on, grab an equaliser and show Eidevall what he’d been missing. And not long after she was introduced, she was handed the opportunity to do exactly that. Set free by a pinpoint long ball, Russo had all the time in the world to pick her spot past City goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita. But her eventual finish was, quite frankly, pitiful – a venom-less pea-roller which was easily collected by the Japan international. As a result, it was her Lionesses team-mate, Mead, who stole the headlines instead.
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WINNER: Beth Mead
Much like Russo, Beth Mead will have been aiming to remind Eidevall of her talents off the bench on Sunday. Following a frustrating display in her side’s Champions League defeat to Hacken in midweek, Caitlin Foord and summer-signing Mariona Caldentey were selected ahead of her out wide against City.
But shortly after Jess Park had beaten Zinsberger from range, she came on to try and dig her side out of a hole. It’s a role she has previously excelled in, particularly at the Emirates, coming on to devastating effect and setting up a 94th-minute winner against Aston Villa back in October 2023.
And she rose to the occasion again against City, reacting quickest to Rosa Kafaji’s rebounded shot and bundling the ball home at the back post. It was a big goal, sparing her side’s blushes after some disappointing finishing and Mead will be hoping it’s the start of a strong season.
With competition for places at club and international level getting tougher and tougher, the Lionesses star needs to have another goal-filled campaign to retain her position as a guaranteed start for England and Arsenal.
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LOSER: Yui Hasegawa
While it was little surprise to see City start with both Miedema and Park in midfield in their midweek Champions League qualifier, in which they battered Paris FC 5-0, it was a bit of a shock for Gareth Taylor to stick with that for a big game like Sunday's. That's because both are essentially forwards and operate as playmakers in the middle, thus offering little defensive nous and steel.
That was evident throughout the afternoon at the Emirates. When Arsenal broke away on the counter, there was a ridiculous gap between the defence and Miedema and Park, giving the Gunners an incredible amount of space to attack. Hasegawa, as the sitting midfielder, was always there trying to help out her defence, but she was given very little help in tracking runners or stopping breakaways.
Hasegawa wasn't perfect herself on Sunday by any means – she should've tracked Frida Maanum for Arsenal's opener – but she did relatively well considering how imbalanced City's midfield was. While it's a trio that will work fine when Taylor's side play teams they aren't expected to be challenged as much by in a defensive sense, it leaves them – and especially Hasegawa – far too exposed in big games.
A decisão da Eurocopa no próximo domingo alterou o planejamento de transmissões da Globo. A final do torneio europeu mudou dias e horários de jogos do Brasileirão exibidos pela emissora carioca, que agora serão transmitidos no próximo sábado, às 16h30. A decisão é pautada nos bons números de audiência apresentados pela rede com a Euro. + Confira a classificação atualizada do Brasileirão
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O confronto de gigantes nacionais entre Botafogo e Cruzeiro, pela segunda divisão do Brasileiro, será exibido nos estados do Rio de Janeiro e Minas Gerais. Já o clássico entre Palmeiras e Santos fica com a praça paulista, assim como Gre-Nal, que será transmitido para o estado do Rio Grande do Sul. O restante da rodada não sofreu alteração de horário ou dia.
Vale lembrar que no mesmo sábado, Brasil e Argentina decidem a final da Copa América, no Maracanã, com transmissão exclusiva da concorrente SBT, detentora dos direitos televisivos do torneio sul-americano na Tv Aberta.
Ex-Tottenham transfer chief Fabio Paratici's influence hasn't waned despite his worldwide footballing ban, and it is believed he has worked Spurs into pole position to sign a £34 million second striker this summer.
Paratici still assisting Tottenham transfer plans
Manager Ange Postecoglou has backed that Paratici is still very much having a say behind-the-scenes, and admitted to media that he has been in contact with the Italian at various points.
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“Obviously I know Fabio and every now and then we’ll exchange messages or calls. He’s a smart guy and you can see that he’s got a great eye for talent," said Postecoglou on Paratici in late January.
“Within the workings of the club and what I do, I don’t have that kind of engagement. Not just with Fabio but with most people. It’s more about what the priority is right now, this week, and my focus is on the football and the football department.
“I don’t have a lot of dialogue with too many people. That’s how I structure my working life, I keep these things to a minimum.”
The former Juventus employee helped bring in some big names to Spurs from Italy during his time at the club, and will likely continue to do so. He may well have had a big hand in Tottenham signing Radu Dragusin from Genoa for £25 million in the winter, and Paratici is responsible for bringing in an array of talent before the Romanian.
Pierluigi Gollini
Cristian Romero
Pape Sarr
Emerson Royal
Bryan Gil
Rodrigo Bentancur
Dejan Kulusevski
Richarlison
Yves Bissouma
Destiny Udogie
Djed Spence
Clement Lenglet
Fraser Forster
Ivan Perisic
Pedro Porro
Guglielmo Vicario, Cristian Romero, Destiny Udogie, Rodrigo Bentancur and Dejan Kulusevski and have been snapped up from Serie A in recent seasons, all of whom have gone on to impress in the Lilywhites jersey.
Paratici's network of contacts have also been impressed by Riccardo Calafiori as Tottenham ponder a move to sign him from Bologna in the summer. Meanwhile, it has also been suggested that Paratici is laying the groundwork for Spurs to sign a new forward through his sources.
The north Londoners have been heavily linked with a move for Genoa attacker Albert Gudmundsson as well, and it appears Paratici is having a real say on the move.
Paratici launches Tottenham into pole position for Gudmundsson
According to Inter Live, Tottenham are in pole position to sign Gudmundsson and Paratici is having "great influence".
The price needed to sign the Iceland international is rumoured to be around £34 million, but Spurs have firmly set their sights on the "quick and technical second striker".
Albert Gudmundsson for Genoa.
“If he keeps improving, he won’t stay at Genoa for long,” said teammateKevinStrootman on Gudmundsson to Il Secolo XIX newspaper (via Football Italia). “He reminds me of Salah when he was at Roma, in that every now and then he disappears. Much like Salah then, he would have four or five chances per match and only score at most one.
“They used to say that if Salah was more clinical, he would be playing for Liverpool, and that is exactly what happened. All joking aside, Gudmundsson is a devastating player and also an exemplary professional.”
Liverpool are believed to have sent scouts to watch a "remarkable" player in action for his current club over the weekend, as he continues to enjoy a memorable season.
Liverpool set to make attacking signings
Much has been made of the Reds' inconsistent attacking options this season, with Jurgen Klopp having Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo to call upon. At one stage, the quintet felt like a huge asset for the Reds, but wasteful finishing and losses of form have been an issue of late, causing some poor results to happen in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup.
Because of this, it looks as though Liverpool will target attacking reinforcements at the end of the season, especially if one of Diaz or Salah were to leave, as has been mooted recently.
One player who has been linked with a summer move to Anfield is Bayern Munich Jamal Musiala, who is surely one of Europe's most prized attacking stars currently, already becoming a vital player for both the Bundesliga giants and Germany. A £100m price tag has been placed on him, however, and Liverpool may not have the funds available to spend such a huge amount of money on one player.
Bayern Munich midfielder Jamal Musiala.
There have also been links with Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, who is on fire for the Primeira Liga side this season and is managed by Ruben Amorim, who is still in the mix to replace Klopp despite West Ham's own move for him.
Should Salah move on, which remains up in the air, West Ham ace Mohammed Kudus has been earmarked as a potential replacement for the Egyptian superstar, possessing a similar ability to wreak havoc from a right-sided attacking role.
Liverpool send scouts to watch "remarkable" star
According to a fresh claim from HITC, Liverpool sent scouts to watch Gyokeres in action for Sporting over the weekend, with the Swede scoring twice against Vitoria de Guimaraes and sure to have impressed Michael Edwards and Co.
The Reds are thought to be "becoming increasingly interested" in him, with the report going on to add that he has "emerged as one of Europe’s most in-demand strikers following his summer switch from Coventry" and "Sporting are braced to lose him".
Viktor Gyokeres in action for Sporting
Gyokeres stands out as a fantastic option for Liverpool this summer, given the manner in which he has stepped up a level since leaving the Championship last year. He looks like a complete striker, with physicality, speed and nerveless finishing all in his locker, as highlighted by 35 goals in all competitions for Sporting this season.
Meanwhile, Estoril manager Vasco Seabra waxed lyrical over the Sweden international earlier in the campaign, saying: "He is also in an extraordinary moment of form, it is a signing that seems remarkable for the championship and for Sporting in particular."
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At 25, the £40k-a-week Gyokeres feels primed to make a move to an even bigger club, and while competition for places would be fierce at Liverpool, doubts remain over the likes of Diaz, Nunez and Gakpo as long-term options, while Salah's very best days could now be behind him. The fact that he could again be working alongside Amorim would also make it more likely to be a seamless transition.
تمكن فريق الكرة الأول بنادي الزمالك، من تحقيق الفوز على نظيره سموحة بهدفين دون رد، خلال اللقاء الذي انتهى منذ لحظات ببطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.
والتقى الزمالك مع سموحة، على ملعب الجيش ببرج العرب في الإسكندرية، وذلك ضمن مواجهات الجولة الثانية من المرحلة الأولى لبطولة الدوري.
وسجل ناصر منسي هدف الزمالك الأول في الدقيقة الثانية من المباراة، بعد خطأ فادح من الهاني سليمان حارس مرمى سموحة في محاولة لمراوغة ناصر منسي داخل منطقة الجزاء، لكن ناصر ينجح في قطع الكرة ووضعها داخل الشباك.
طالع أيضاً.. خاص | اتحاد الكرة يفضل الاستعانة برئيس لجنة حكام أوروبي.. واللجنة الحالية مؤقتة لتسيير الأعمال
وفي الدقيقة 65 طالب لاعبو الزمالك حكم المباراة بركلة جزاء، وذلك بعد تدخل من أبو بكر ليادي على مصطفى شلبي، وبعد العودة لتقنية الفيديو أشار الحكم باستمرار اللعب.
وتقدم مصطفى شلبي بالهدف الثاني للزمالك في الدقيقة 85، بعد تمريرة سحرية برأسية من حمزة المثلوثي قابلها شلبي بتسديدة سكنت الشباك.
بهذا الفوز، يحتل الزمالك المركز الثاني في ترتيب الدوري، برصيد 6 نقاط متساوياً مع الأهلي الذي يحتل الصدارة لكن بفارق الأهداف.
على الجانب الآخر، يتواجد فريق سموحة بالمركز الخامس في جدول ترتيب مسابقة الدوري المصري، ولديه 3 نقاط. أهداف مباراة الزمالك وسموحة اليوم في الدوري المصري
Lionel Messi is being tipped to miss Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup title defence with an ankle injury, as Inter Miami are told “you can’t risk this dude”.
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All-time great suffered knock in major final
No timescale being put on recovery
Expected to sit out bid to defend one trophy
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Argentine superstar picked up an unfortunate knock while on international duty at the 2024 Copa America. He was forced out of the final at that tournament in tears, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner rolling his ankle on the turf at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Messi was strapped with ice on the bench, but serious swelling was spotted around his right foot. He went on to lift the Copa trophy – with his record-breaking haul of major honours taken to 45 – but another enforced spell on the sidelines will now be taken in.
WHAT MLS EXPERT SAID
Inter Miami have put no timescale on his recovery when delivering a fitness update, but MLS expert Andrew Wiebe has told of Messi potentially sitting out the upcoming All-Star Game and Leagues Cup: “I know a little something about grade three ankle sprains over the years. I’m not diagnosing it, but with that level of swelling, he’s not going to be back in the next couple weeks you would think. It feels like Leagues Cup and a chase of that title defence is likely to come without Messi. If you’re Miami, you can’t risk this dude.”
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WHAT NEXT?
Messi inspired Inter Miami to Leagues Cup glory within weeks of his arrival in Florida during the summer of 2023. He has generated MVP talk this season, but no gambles will be taken on his long-term fitness as the Herons look to make history in 2024 by savouring MLS Cup glory for the first time.
Gareth Southgate admitted criticism did affect his team during the initial stages of Euro 2024 but things have changed since the Switzerland clash.
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Southgate admitted criticism affected the team
Things have changed since win over Switzerland
England face Netherlands in second semi-final
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Three Lions have been one of the most talked about teams in the ongoing Euro 2024 as they received a lot of flak from their fans and pundits for their underwhelming start to the tournament. However, despite all the criticism, the team has managed to reach the semi-final – the third time in a major competition in the Gareth Southgate era.
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THE BIGGER PICTURE
Ahead of their Euro 2024 semi-final, manager Southgate revealed that the chastisement did harm the team in the group stage, however, things have changed now after their dramatic tie-breaker win over Switzerland in the quarter-final.
WHAT GARETH SOUTHGATE SAID
Speaking to reporters in his pre-match press conference, the 53-year-old said, "There's been a definite shift. I was really interested [because] as a coach sometimes you take a step back and you observe. One of the strengths of us over the last seven or eight years has been less fear and less inhibition. But I think at the beginning of the tournament, the expectation weighed quite heavily and of course, the external noise was louder than it's ever been.
"I felt we couldn't quite get ourselves in the right place and, in the end, what was impressive was that the players ground it out, they ground results out and found ways to win. I felt that shifted once we got into the knockout stage and definitely in the quarter-final. I thought we saw a better version of us with the ball, freer."
He added, "I'm not sure any of the messaging changed but I just felt the group changed. You're now into that moment in the tournament where it's 'what's possible, what's achievable', rather than 'what might go wrong'. That's different for players and for an athlete. So, this is now the chance to make history, which we've enjoyed doing, a chance to get to a first final not held in England – the first time England will have ever done that."
"We're trying to break new ground. That's difficult and it's complicated, but the players have responded brilliantly and the resilience that's been built."
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WHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?
Southgate will hope that his team make it to back-to-back European Championship finals as they take on Ronald Koeman's in-form Dutchside in the second semi-final on Wednesday in Dortmund.