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Are Tottenham Hotspur finding their feet under Thomas Frank’s stewardship?

Certainly, we have seen green shoots in recent matches. After that dismal home defeat to Fulham at the end of November, Spurs battled to a 2-2 draw at St. James’ Park before beating Brentford in the Premier League and Slavia Prague in the Champions League.

Two clean sheets from two games, but Tottenham still could do with reinforcements in the rearguard. Namely, ENIC Group are planning to help Frank piece together a lasting project with a new left-back.

Destiny Udogie picked up a hamstring injury against Newcastle United and will be out until the New Year. But the Italian defender has been out of sorts this season anyway, and Tottenham are ready to take action.

Spurs' search for a left-back

Udogie quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous up-and-coming full-backs in Europe after joining Tottenham from Hellas Verona. Better known for his time on loan with Udinese across multiple years, the Italian was hailed as “the best left-back” in the country by Clinton Morrison on BBC Sport a few months into his arrival under Ange Postecoglou’s wing.

However, Udogie’s persistent injury issues have stunted his growth, and the 23-year-old has been told he “needs to wake up” by one coach this term, lacking awareness and dynamism. With Ben Davies getting on – and rarely getting off the bench – competition is needed, especially with the Lilywhites making headway in the Champions League.

That’s why Fabio Paratici and Johan Lange are circling in on Eintracht Frankfurt star Nathaniel Brown, with TEAMtalk revealing that the 22-year-old German international is on Tottenham’s wishlist ahead of the winter window.

A versatile wideman with no qualms about playing further upfield, Brown would add depth and new dimensions to Frank’s team, though this is a sentiment shared with rivals, Arsenal and Manchester United also among the suitors named.

He would cost upwards of £50m, but Brown has the potential to become one of the best in the business, and he would slot right into Frank’s set-up.

What Brown would bring to Spurs

Brown, a German-born player with American heritage, boasts blistering pace and a desire to progress play whenever he can. However, he is also defensively sound, mixing between duties seamlessly.

As per FBref, Brown ranks among the top 9% of full-backs across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and the top 3% for tackles per 90, underlining his dynamism and ability to mix defence with attack.

In this, he has something of a likeness to Udogie, the finest iteration of the Italy star, and while Spurs’ talented wide defender has fallen by the wayside of late, his profile remains tailor-made for a starring role in one of Europe’s top outfits.

Brown, moreover, is on an upward trajectory, with analyst Spencer Mossman claiming earlier in 2025 that he is “one-two years away from being the most coveted left back” in the world. Already, several of the Premier League’s biggest sides want to bring him over, suggesting that he is indeed ahead of that prediction already.

Frankfurt has a rather porous defence this season, and that is a concern, but Brown is one of the standouts, showcasing an impressive mix of qualities. Furthermore, he rode the crest of a wave into the current campaign, having played so well in the Bundesliga last year.

Matches (starts)

10 (6_

6 (6)

Goals

0

1

Assists

1

2

Touches*

47.5

47.8

Accurate passes*

26.8 (85%)

25.7 (84%)

Chances created*

0.7

1.0

Succ. dribbles*

0.3 (27%)

0.5 (38%)

Recoveries*

3.8

3.4

Tackles + interceptions*

1.5

3.1

Clearances*

1.1

1.2

Duels (won)*

2.9 (46%)

3.8 (51%)

As we can see from the respective left-backs’ Champions League campaigns, Brown is enjoying greater success, with his staggering duel success rate something to note.

Last season, talent scout Jacek Kulig said Brown is “moving to another level”, so perhaps it is the right time for him to take the leap of faith over the channel and down N17 to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

What Tottenham decide to do remains to be seen, but Frank needs a few more instruments in his tactical toolbox, and Brown could mark his crowning signing as improvements start to reveal themselves.

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Chelsea are now leading the race to sign a “superstar” Premier League player, who wants to leave his current club.

Blues back on track after Everton victory

The Blues brought a four-game winless run across all competitions to an end on Saturday afternoon, courtesy of a 2-0 victory against Everton at Stamford Bridge, with goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto securing all three points.

Enzo Maresca will no doubt be buoyed by Palmer’s return to form, with the Englishman spending the majority of the campaign on the sidelines due to a groin injury, before breaking his toe, although he is yet to fully recover.

Maresca certainly isn’t lacking options top-quality options in midfield, with Palmer featuring in an advanced role against Everton, ahead of Enzo Fernandez and Reece James at the base of midfield, while Moises Caicedo is still yet to return from a suspension.

However, signing another new midfielder is on the agenda, according to a report from Caught Offside, which states Chelsea are now leading the race to sign Kobbie Mainoo, who wants to leave Manchester United, amid a lack of game time.

A whole host of clubs are in the race for Mainoo, with the Blues now in pole position, alongside Bayern Munich, although Napoli’s interest could pose a problem.

The midfielder, who Frank Lampard is a “massive fan” of, is keen to receive consistent minutes wherever he ends up next, which means a move to the Italian club is attractive, especially given the way Scott McTominay’s career has panned out since moving to the Serie A.

"Superstar" Mainoo could be exciting signing for Chelsea

Nicky Butt has made it clear he doesn’t want United to offload the youngster, saying: “If Mainoo was playing for another Premier League club, United go and buy him for £70m or £80m,”

“Now we’re going to sell him and he’ll be a superstar elsewhere like McTominay, Elanga, Henderson – we can mention loads of them.”

However, it would be understandable if the 20-year-old were to push for a move next month, given just how sparsely he has featured this season, with the starlet still yet to start a game in the Premier League.

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ByEthan Lamb 2 days ago

When the Englishman, who is represented by the same agent as Liam Delap, has been given the opportunity, he has often impressed, particularly catching the eye with his dribbling and tackling over the past year, when compared to other midfielders.

Kobbie Mainoo’s key statistics

Average per 90 (past year)

Successful take-ons

1.13 (90th percentile)

Progressive carries

1.91 (82nd percentile)

Tackles

2.77 (87th percentile)

Non-penalty goals

0.14 (79th percentile)

That said, Mainoo may find game time hard to come by at Chelsea too, considering Maresca already has Fernandez and Caicedo at his disposal, so a move to Stamford Bridge may not be ideal.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl was unable to make it five wins out of five in the Scottish Premiership when his team faced Falkirk at Ibrox on Sunday.

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss had won his first four league games in charge of the Light Blues, beating Livingston 2-1 in the last Premiership outing before the weekend’s 0-0 draw with Falkirk.

It was a drab performance that had a goalless draw written all over it and that is, unfortunately, what it turned out to be, as Rohl’s side were unable to find the breakthrough.

Huge question marks remain over many of the players brought in by former sporting director Kevin Thelwell, including Thelo Aasgaard after he struggled again on Sunday.

Why Rohl must drop Thelo Aasgaard

The summer signing from Luton Town is a talented player. His stunning goal against Dundee United and his return of five goals in five games for Norway proves that.

However, the English-born flop has failed to provide any kind of positive consistency to the pitch with his performances for the Scottish giants this season, which is why he has been so disappointing to watch.

Aasgaard did not register a single shot on target and only created one chance for his team in 68 minutes against Falkirk, per Sofascore, which really sums up his season, as the attacking midfielder has scored one goal and provided one assist in 21 appearances.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

That is why Rohl should drop the Norwegian talent from the starting line-up for a run of matches to provide someone else with an opportunity, whilst giving the ex-Luton star a chance to recharge and come back stronger.

At the age of 23, Aasgaard is a young player who may just need more time to adapt to the expectations at Ibrox. However, that same patience may not be afforded to Bojan Miovski, who looks like an even bigger problem for the manager.

Why Miovski is a bigger problem than Aasgaard for Rangers

The Macedonia international felt like a sensible signing for Rangers when they bought him for Girona, as he had proven himself in the Premiership, even scoring against the Gers, during his time with Aberdeen.

Unfortunately, though, he has not hit the ground running at Ibrox this season, with one goal in ten games in the Premiership so far this season for the Light Blues, per Sofascore.

His only goal came against Falkirk in Russell Martin’s last game in charge, but he was unable to repeat that feat in the reverse fixture on Sunday, as the left-footed flop struggled badly throughout the match.

Minutes

68

90

Shots

3

2

Key passes

1

0

Duels won

5/10

3/11

Dribbles completed

2/3

0/0

Fouls won

2

1

As you can see in the table above, Miovski was even worse than Aasgaard, who has scored as many goals as the striker in the league this term, at the weekend, as he offered less at the top end of the pitch and lost 73% of his duels.

The Norway international, meanwhile, carries a bit of a physical presence and can hold his own against Premiership defenders, as shown by his 50% duel success rate against Falkirk.

Miovski, who was described as “dreadful” by reporter Mark McDougall, has lost 63% of his duels overall in the Premiership this season, which shows that he has been a flop in and out of possession in the league so far for Rangers.

At 26, the Macedonia international should have come in to hit the ground running in what should be the prime years of his career, especially with his prior experience in Scotland, but the opposite has happened.

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That is why Miovksi is an even bigger problem for Rohl and Rangers than Aasgaard is because his performances are even more alarming, whilst he does not have the same mitigation or time ahead of himself to improve that the Norwegian talent does.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Santos derrotou o Agua Santa por 4 a 2 nesta segunda-feira (15), pela terceira fase da Copinha 2024. A partida foi a reedição do encontro da última rodada do Grupo 26 da competição. Os gols da partida foram marcados por Davi Gomes e Luiz Eduardo marcaram pelo Água e Enzo Monteiro, Miguelito, Thiago Balieiro e Gabriel Bontempo para o Peixe.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Peixe agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Santos

⚽ COMO FOI A PARTIDA?

O primeiro tempo foi bem movimentado. O Água Santa abriu o placar logo no inicio, mas não conseguiu superar os meninos da Vila. O Santos virou a partida ainda na primeira etapa e deixou o jogo em 4 a 1 no ínicio do segundo tempo. O Água até ensaio uma reação com um gol, mas não ameaçou o Peixe.

✅ O QUE VEM POR AÍ?

O adversário do Santos na próxima fase sairá do confronto entre Portuguesa e Cruzeiro. A partida ainda não tem data definida.

Tudo sobre

Santos

The Royals were able to get a huge 4-2 win over the Yankees on Monday night to even their series as it shifts to Kansas City for the next two games.

The Royals did all their damage in the fourth inning, scoring all four runs against Yankees starter Carlos Rodon. They were then able to hold off the Yankees the rest of the way to secure the victory.

One of the biggest plays came in the bottom of the eighth inning when the Royals were able to end it by turning a clutch double play on a ball hit to short by Giancarlo Stanton.

Bob Costas has been working this series for TBS and his call of this big play left a lot to be desired:

Stanton has battled some injuries but it felt like that call should have been a little more fired up while commending the Royals for making it happen.

Fans were not impressed:

Lees records second century of the match in Durham’s successful rearguard action as Surrey go top of table

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay02-Jul-2025Durham 362 (Lees 125, Robinson 79, Worrall 4-60) and 262 for 0 (Gay 156*, Lees 100*) f/o drew with Surrey 820 for 9 dec (Sibley 305, Lawrence 178, Jacks 119, Curran 108, Burns 55)Centuries from Emilio Gay and Alex Lees, in a superb unbroken opening partnership of 262, made sure of a comfortable Rothesay County Championship draw for Durham against Surrey on day four at the Kia Oval.Gay hit an unbeaten 156 while Lees followed up his first -innings 125 with 100 not out – reaching his second hundred of the match with what proved to be the last ball before hands were shaken at 5pm – and Durham’s successful rearguard action over the last seven sessions of the match owed much to the skill and stamina of their captain.His stand with Gay was a Durham partnership record against Surrey for any wicket, beating 183 by Will Smith and Scott Borthwick at Chester-le-Street in 2013.Durham began the day by initially turning their overnight 343 for 9 into a final first-innings total of 362, with an injured Ben Raine defying Surrey’s bowlers for a further 7.1 overs.They were helped by early morning rain that prevented any play until noon, while Surrey knew that the loss of 16 overs from the day’s allocation also took from them the possibility of having a second new ball available in a final hour.As it was, after Raine’s brave 19 and more resistance from his tailend partner Daniel Hogg, Durham were left with 70 overs to negotiate in their second innings when predictably asked to follow on – Surrey having amassed a mammoth 820 for 9 declared in their own first innings on a flat pitch.The draw, confirmed with Durham 262 without loss from 55.4 overs, was all but inevitable once Lees and Gay had seen off the new ball, as wickets have been desperately difficult to come by with an older and softer Kookaburra throughout this match.Surrey’s consolation is that the additional eight draw points, giving them 15 in all from the game, are enough to push them to the top of the Division One table for the first time this season – a single point in front of long-time Championship leaders Nottinghamshire.Seamer Raine, who suffered ligament damage in his left ankle on the opening day, had hobbled out at No. 11 to survive seven balls at the end of day three. When day four got under way it seemed as if Raine was moving a little more freely and his further defiance included three fours in a 32-ball effort ended when Will Jacks trapped him lbw.Lees sliced the first ball of Durham’s second innings just wide of gully for four and the bowler, Dan Worrall, was frustrated again when, on 5, the former England Test opener was beaten by a beauty that Surrey’s slip cordon initially thought might have taken a thin edge.Gay’s first scoring shot was also a streaky edge for four through the slips, off Matt Fisher, but soon the two left-handers had settled in and Rory Burns, Surrey’s captain, used six different bowlers in the first 14 overs of the innings – either side of lunch – in a vain effort to conjure up an early breakthrough.Surrey allrounder Sam Curran even aired some rarely-seen left-arm spin as the match meandered through its final overs after the tea interval, and the eight-over spell was tidy enough even if by then both Gay and Lees were content merely to see out time.It was Gay’s third hundred in Durham colours, since his move from Northamptonshire, and after reaching three figures from 98 balls he faced 172 in all, hitting 25 fours. Lees batted for 162 balls, striking 14 fours.

MatériaMais Notícias

Uma ação da Secretaria de Segurança Pública de São Paulo (SSP), por meio do programa “Muralha Paulista” e com a colaboração do Palmeiras, resultou na prisão de 28 criminosos em quatro jogos disputados pelo clube no Allianz Parque. Um dos detidos era procurado por tráfico internacional de drogas. O sujeito havia fugido em março de 2020, após a queda de um avião com mais de 400 kg de entorpecentes, e acabou preso antes de entrar no estádio.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasQuantas empresas tem Leila Pereira, presidente do Palmeiras?Palmeiras22/09/2023PalmeirasTécnico do Palmeiras, Abel Ferreira não deve ser punido pelo STJD por insinuação de ‘roubo’Palmeiras22/09/2023PalmeirasPalmeiras não consegue voltar para São Paulo e treina em Porto Alegre após derrota para o GrêmioPalmeiras22/09/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

Além dos 28 detidos, 42 pessoas que estavam descumprindo medidas judiciais foram interceptadas, impedidas de entrar no Allianz Parque e notificadas para a vara de custódia. A iniciativa ainda identificou 253 desaparecidos, que foram abordados e qualificados.

Ao todo, 146.793 ingressos foram verificados pela nova ferramenta da Secretaria da Segurança Pública. Os dados utilizados nessa verificação são nacionais, para combater o problema de pessoas que cometem crimes em um estado se esconderem em outro. Um procurado por cometer o crime de pedofilia em Alagoas foi preso tentando acessar um dos jogos.

continua após a publicidade

+ Entenda como o sistema de identificação facial do Palmeiras ajudou a prender suspeito da morte de torcedora

Essa ação realizada pela SSP em parceria com o Palmeiras cumpriu mandados de prisão de diversos estados, relacionados aos crimes de roubo, peculato, furto e tráfico de entorpecentes.

O sistema de biometria facial, implementado neste ano pelo Palmeiras para coibir o cambismo, favorece a atuação da SSP. A tecnologia garante que o dono do CPF responsável pela compra do ingresso é o mesmo de quem entra no estádio, o que não necessariamente ocorre quando se utilizam bilhetes físicos ou com código de barras.

continua após a publicidade

O programa Muralha Paulista funciona a partir da integração de sistemas e possibilita que vendas de ingressos sejam analisadas em tempo real por meio de algoritmos de inteligência que respeitam um plano de gestão de riscos pré-estabelecidos para cada tipo de evento.

No caso dos jogos de futebol, analisam-se compra de ingresso de cambistas, uso de documento falso ou de terceiro, mandados de prisão em aberto, descumprimento de ordens judiciais ou de sanções impostas pelo Estatuto do Torcedor e pessoas desaparecidas. Quando alguém cai nesse filtro, ocorre o impedimento de acesso ao local do evento e as forças policiais recebem um indicativo de abordagem para uma intervenção.

+ Empresa de Leila Pereira, presidente do Palmeiras, vence licitação para controlar Arena Barueri

PRISÃO DO SUSPEITO DA MORTE DE GABRIELA ANELLI

Antes do jogo Palmeiras e Flamengo, pelo Brasileirão, em julho, uma briga nos arredores do Allianz Parque vitimou uma torcedora alviverde. Gabriela Anelli foi atingida no pescoço por estilhaços de vidro provenientes de uma garrafa atirada por um torcedor rubro-negro, até então não identificado.

Cerca de 20 dias depois, a delegada Ivalda Aleixo, do DHPP (Departamento de Homicídios e de Proteção à Pessoa), falou em coletiva de imprensa sobre a prisão de Jonathan Messias Santos da Silva, identificado como o responsável por atirar a garrafa que teria atingido a palmeirense. Segundo ela, a captura do suspeito somente foi possível pela ajuda fundamental do sistema de biometria da arena.

E é bom que os demais torcedores em todo o país fiquem espertos para a chegada da tecnologia, pois logo logo todas as arenas com capacidade para mais de 20 mil pessoas terão que, obrigatoriamente, implementar a biometria facial. A questão virou lei desde junho, quando passou a valer a nova redação da Lei Geral do Esporte.

Tudo sobre

Palmeiras

West Bromwich Albion picked up a hard-fought win away at Norwich City on Wednesday night as Ryan Mason’s side momentarily got their stuttering Championship season back on track in Norfolk.

Only four points off the top of the league now after narrowly securing the three points through a 1-0 victory, Mason will hope his promotion-dreaming team can push on and pick up some more early season wins soon, with games against Millwall and Preston North End up next in the second tier.

It was certainly a night to remember for Josh Maja, with a first start of the season for the usually injury-ravaged centre-forward resulting in his first strike of the campaign also quickly following.

It was a typical poacher-like finish from the ex-Sunderland man, with a tricky run by Samuel Iling-Junior thankfully not going to waste, as the experienced attacker enjoyed a great return to form versus the Canaries.

Maja's standout night

Aune Heggebo would fall to the substitutes bench as the experience of the 26-year-old was preferred over the promise of the new Norwegian recruit.

It was a smart call by Mason in the end, with West Brom having to be potent in front of goal to secure a slim away day win.

Maja’s performance in numbers

Stat

Maja

Minutes played

60

Goals scored

1

Assists

0

Shots

1

Touches

19

Accurate passes

7/8 (88%)

Stats by Sofascore

Amazingly, Maja’s only shot of the night was the one that beat Vladan Kovačević in the Norwich goal, with the injury-prone forward also only needing a mere 19 touches of the ball to leave his mark on the contest.

Sky Sports’ Jobi McAnuff would sum it up nicely when labelling Maja as a player known for “making a difference”, as the clinical striker now aims to be free of the Hawthorns treatment room to try and match, or even, surpass his 12-goal tally from last season.

However, if it wasn’t for a stern defensive performance in Norfolk, West Brom might have well crumbled late on, with Josh Griffiths hailed as having a “coming of age” moment by journalist Lewis Cox when completing four vital saves in between the sticks.

He wasn’t the only very impressive figure at the back, however, with one defensive titan arguably putting in an even better display than the returning Maja.

West Brom star was even better than Maja

Come the end of the tense game, it was clear that the entire team picked by Mason all contributed to a gutsy three points being secured.

In particular, former Liverpool colossus Nathaniel Phillips stood out at Carrow Road, with the 6-foot-3 centre-back keen to make amends on the road after a late own-goal robbed his team of a win against Leicester City last time out on home soil.

Phillips’ performance in numbers

Stat

Phillips

Minutes played

90

Goals scored

0

Assists

0

Touches

77

Accurate passes

51/59 (88%)

Clearances

10

Tackles

3

Total duels

7/11

Stats by Sofascore

While Maja showed off his goalscoring prowess with an instinctive finish, before then waiting on scraps to come his way, Phillips shone throughout, winning seven duels and making ten clearances, keeping the likes of Josh Sargent for the hosts quiet.

Away from living up to his tag as a “monster” in the air that was handed to him by Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, the towering 28-year-old would also display a necessary composure on the ball in heated moments, with 51 accurate passes tallied up from his 77 touches of the ball.

Truthfully, minus that own-goal hiccup against the Foxes, Phillips has been very impressive in the demanding Championship so far this season, winning 5.8 duels per game, further reinforcing his no-nonsense approach.

Yet – as was visible at Carrow Road – he has also been unerring with his passes out from the back, as seen in an 89% pass accuracy being averaged as well.

Express and Star journalist Jonny Drury dished out a high 8/10 rating to the Baggies number 3 off the back of another assured showing, with Drury simply stating that the 28-year-old was “so solid” once more.

Mason will know he needs both Maja and Phillips to continue delivering, with West Brom’s chances of clinching promotion glory largely resting on the experienced pairing being able to grind out more results together like this 1-0 success.

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Posts ByKelan Sarson Oct 1, 2025

أعلن تامر مصطفي، المدير الفني لنادي الاتحاد السكندري، قائمة الفريق لمواجهة النادي الأهلي، التي تقام بينهما غدًا الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات بطولة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

ويلتقي الأهلي مع الاتحاد السكندري، ضمن مواجهات الجولة الحادية عشر، لمنافسات بطولة الدوري المصري، ذلك على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

طالع | حكم مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد السكندري في الدوري المصري موعد مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد السكندري في الدوري المصري

وتقام مباراة الأهلي والاتحاد السكندري، في تمام الساعة 5 مساءً من يوم الأربعاء 22 أكتوبر الجاري، على ملعب استاد القاهرة الدولي.

ويحتل النادي الأهلي، المركز الرابع في جدول ترتيب الدوري المصري، برصيد 18 نقطة، بعد خوض 9 مباريات، فاز في 5 وتعادل في 3 وخسر في لقاء.

بينما فريق الاتحاد السكندري، يتواجد في المركز السابع عشر بجدول ترتيب الدوري المصر، برصيد 8 نقاط. قائمة الاتحاد السكندري أمام الأهلي في الدوري المصري

حراسة المرمي: محمود جنش، صبحي سليمان وأحمد المنشاوي.

خط الدفاع: أبو بكر إليادي، عبد الرحمن بودي، عبد الغني محمد، مصطفى إبراهيم، محمود شبانة، محمد سامي وكريم الديب.

خط الوسط: عمرو صالح، مؤمن شريف، ناصر ناصر، محمد توني، محمد كناريا، هشام عادل وسيفوري إيزاك.

خط الهجوم: فافيور أكيم، أحمد عيد، عبد الله فوزي، فادي فريد وجون إيبوكا.

Marseille boss Roberto De Zerbi has lavished praise on his players after they hammered Ajax 4-0 in the Champions League clash at the Orange Velodrome. Mason Greenwood was on the scoresheet once again and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang provided a couple of assists and bagged a goal himself, but Igor Paixao grabbed the headlines with a quick-fire first-half double to get the ball rolling for the French giants. After the match, former Brighton manager De Zerbi described his team's performance as "perfect".

AFPMarseille magic as Ajax are thumped

Marseille secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Ajax in their Champions League first phase clash, with Paixao the star of the show, scoring his first two goals for the club in the sixth and 12th minutes, with the first coming via an assist from Aubameyang. Greenwood added a third in the 26th minute, also set up by Aubameyang. And Aubameyang completed the scoring in the 52nd minute, netting the fourth from a counter-attack, with an assist from Paixao. The victory handed Marseille their first points of the Champions League campaign after a 2-1 defeat by Real Madrid in the first matchday, while the Dutch side slumped to their second defeat in Europe, having lost 2-0 to Inter Milan in their opening fixture. Ajax were poor on the night, registering only two shots on target throughout the match, and were thoroughly outplayed by De Zerbi's side. 

AdvertisementAFPThe 'perfect' performance from Marseille

Following the match, De Zerbi heaped praise on his side. He said: "We played an incredible match, the team was truly extraordinary. The team was very young, but competent, they can cause problems for any team and we played well in attack. The first half was perfect, almost perfect. Like against PSG in the second half, there was more tiredness, they failed to maintain the same mentality for 90 minutes. We've only conceded one goal in the last three matches."

Steady start for De Zerbi's men in 2025-26

Marseille have had a mixed start to the season, they sit third in Ligue 1 with 12 points after six games. They have won four and lost two of their league matches so far, with the highlight coming in a 1-0 victory over rivals PSG last month. Performances in Ligue 1 have been characterised by strong attacking displays at home, but they have struggled on the road. The impressive win against Ajax suggests potential for a successful European campaign, but their inconsistent domestic form, marked by a struggle for goals in away games, is a key area for De Zerbi to focus on as the season progresses, and maintaining consistency will be key to challenging for the title. There have also been key injuries to Geoffrey Kondogbia (calf strain) and Hamed Traoré (thigh injury), which haven’t helped, but both are expected to return this month. 

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AFPGreenwood leading the charge again

Greenwood has started the season in fine form, building on his impressive debut year with the club. He was the joint top scorer in Ligue 1 last season alongside Ousmane Dembele, notching 21 goals. He is also being tipped to switch international allegiance from England to Jamaica, which follows a period of significant change for the player after criminal charges against him were dropped in February 2023, leading to his departure from Manchester United and subsequent move to France.