da pinup bet： Com 23 mil torcedores, a operação do jogo entre Flamengo e Barcelona (EQU) foi considerada um sucesso pela administração do Maracanã. A mobilização foi grande para evitar aglomerações e dificuldades no acesso ao estádio. Mais de 2 mil pessoas estiveram envolvidas no evento, todas previamente testadas. Só quatro funcionários testaram positivo para Covid-19 e foram substituídas.
-O saldo da operação, que novamente teve início na véspera da partida, foi amplamente positivo, a começar pelo processo de comprovação da vacina e testagem prévia dos torcedores e profissionais, com resultados dos exames enviados diretamente para controle sanitário no estádio, o que contribuiu para evitar aglomerações e longas filas de acesso às dependências do Maracanã – afirma comunicado publicado pela administração do histórico estádio carioca.
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da brwin： Os exames entre funcionários foram conduzidos pela MedLevensohn, que já havia realizado a operação contra o Grêmio. Para o jogo contra o Barcelona, a ação testou cerca de 2.274 pessoas e apenas quatro testaram positivo para presença do vírus no organismo, representando menos de 1% do total.
– A primeira e a segunda operação foram um sucesso em termos de eficiência, rapidez e organização. Conseguimos atender aos pré-requisitos determinados e encontramos um excelente padrão de fluxo operacional – afirmou José Marcos Szuster, CEO da MedLevensohn.
Para esta partida da Libertadores a empresa disponibilizou 18 pontos de coleta no estádio durante três dias e mais um ponto no Centro Médico da Gávea.
Além da testagem dos funcionários, a MedLevensohn, em parceria com a Veus Saúde, ampliou a rede e credenciou 45 de laboratórios e mais de 200 pontos de atendimento no Rio de Janeiro para testagem de torcedores contra a Covid-19. A previsão é de que sejam realizadas mais 19 operações em jogos do Flamengo até o fim do ano.
Com a maior presença do público – contra o Grêmio, há uma semana, foram 6.446 torcedores presentes -, o Maracanã aumentou em 35% o número de profissionais envolvidos na operação. A parceria com a Prefeitura foi novamente celebrada neste segundo evento-teste, considerado “muito importante para o processo de retomada gradativa dos torcedores”. A gestão do estádio ainda reforça que “segue atenta aos ajustes que serão sempre necessários para o aperfeiçoamento de toda e qualquer realização”.
As Erik ten Hag took the microphone and performed his speech at Old Trafford on Wednesday night, there seemed to be a strong bond between the manager and the Manchester United fans.
Yet the 3-2 victory over Newcastle United was yet another example of a result covering up an uninspiring performance, which has become all too common for the Red Devils.
Despite the Dutchman insisting that he doesn’t feel massively under threat, reports have been circulating surrounding his uncertain future as Man Utd boss.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at a linked manager who’s exceeded all expectations recently.
Man Utd’s search for a Ten Hag replacement
According to a report from The Guardian earlier this week, Man Utd have made contact with the fantastic Kieran McKenna.
It’s reported that the 38-year-old is a “serious consideration” for Sir Jim Ratcliffe if Ten Hag is to depart, having transformed Ipswich Town.
However, the Tractor Boys won’t just let their boss walk away freely, and they’re determined to keep hold of him ahead of the new campaign.
Furthermore, the Red Devils won’t be alone in their approach of the manager, with Brighton & Hove Albion and Brentford also both keen on hiring him.
How McKenna could save Rashford’s career
McKenna is a name that many United fans will know from years prior, with the tactical boss previously being in the first-team coaching setup under Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
When the Norwegian icon left the club in 2021, so did the Northern Irish manager, as he joined Ipswich, where he’s been the catalyst for extreme development and progress.
Upon his arrival, the Tractor Boys were playing their football in League One; fast forward to today, and they’re set to play in the Premier League next season after achieving back-to-back promotions, which has made him respected as a "top-class" coach, as dubbed by analyst StatmanDave.
It’s been reported that the new owners of United would prefer hiring a youthful manager who can lead a rebuild of the club, and McKenna is the perfect profile to do so, given his attacking philosophy that’s wowed so many.
Games
46
Goals
92
Goals conceded
57
Clean sheets
15
Shots (per game)
15.6
Big chances (per game)
2.4
Corners (per game)
5.3
Possession
53.1%
As you can see, Ipswich were immense this season, playing some absolutely outstanding football, securing the results, and scoring the most goals in the division.
This brand of football matches the United DNA, which has been lacking this season, as highlighted by their goal tally of just 55.
One player that’s suffered in particular this season is Marcus Rashford, who’s failed to get anywhere near his 30-goal campaign last season, currently boasting just eight goals with two games remaining.
For a player of Rashford’s quality, these numbers simply aren’t good enough, but with a forward-thinking 4-2-3-1 system and approach like McKenna’s, he could really begin to thrive once again.
The United number ten has showcased his quality to the world for years, and as he reaches the peak of his career, consistency needs to be a minimum that he brings to the table.
23/24
8
5
22/23
30
10
21/22
5
2
20/21
21
13
19/20
22
10
In McKenna’s current side, Nathan Broadhead and Omari Hutchinson have both operated on the left, where Rashford would play, scoring 23 goals between them, which highlights that he knows how to get the best out of his attackers.
Furthermore, Leif Davies at left-back has been Ipswich’s biggest creator with 18 assists, which indicates that if the United managed target were to join, an attacking left-back would be a guarantee, in turn boosting Rashford’s output.
Overall, it’s ultimately up to Rashford to improve his performances this season, but McKenna would certainly help his cause.
Man Utd keen on "outstanding" manager who'd turn Hojlund into a monster
The Man United manager target is reported to be a “strong contender” for the job.
While backing his current partner, Warner also said he would have full faith in Will Pucovski
Daniel Brettig23-Nov-20201:08
Don’t need to break something that’s working – Warner
David Warner has depicted Joe Burns as his most effective opening partner since Chris Rogers, while conceding that the Australian selectors will ultimately have the final say over whether he is partnered by the Queensland batsman or the rising star of Victoria’s Will Pucovski.The selection chairman Trevor Hohns made an extraordinary admission when announcing the Test squad, stating that Warner would be given a say in the choice of the opening combination after he and Burns provided a strong platform for the Test team last summer, following plenty of top-order misadventures during the 2019 Ashes series.Hohns’ words in turn made Warner’s still more significant than usual, and while he couched his views with the usual caveats about the selectors, he left little doubt that he felt Burns was good value for his spot, particularly in terms of how the pair have complemented each other as players in a way he had not experienced since Rogers retired in 2015. Warner and Rogers opened together in 41 innings between 2013 and 2015, averaging 51.32 with nine century stands; Warner and Burns average 50.55 from 27 stands including six century partnerships.ALSO READ: Chappell – This Australia-India series might hinge on who makes the better selection decisions”I know you guys would like an answer. For me to be honest I’ve had over a dozen opening partners and it’s never been quite stable. I think they gave me the opportunity to ask me who I feel comfortable with, and when I was batting with Rogers we had a great partnership and…we bonded really well together out in the middle,” Warner said. “I think with me and Joe, we’ve done that over the past few years.”I’ve known Joe for a long time, we’ve played out in the middle together, we know each other’s game very well, but it’s upon the selectors to pick the right person to fit that position. If they go the way of Will, he’s batting fantastic, he’s been in and out of the Test squad and he removed himself with some sad times with his mental stuff. So for him he’s in the right frame of mind at the moment, it probably is an opportunity for him to come into the team.”But as we know it’s harder to get out of this team than get in, so whoever they go with, I’ll be well and truly happy with, as long as the person who comes in does their job. At the moment I didn’t think Joe did anything wrong last summer, we put on some great partnerships, averaged over 60 and that’s what you want from your opening partnership. It’s upon the selectors to pick their team and I’ve got to be happy with that and embrace it.”Joe Burns and David Warner run between the wickets•Getty ImagesReflecting on how he and Burns had gelled, Warner said that their ability to start with a long partnership together in the first Test of the summer against Pakistan in Brisbane, after Warner’s personal hell during the 2019 Ashes, had further reinforced what was already a strong relationship.”I haven’t spoken to Cracker [Hohns] yet, no, if they come to me and ask me, I’ll speak honestly,” Warner said. “But with me and Joe we’re good friends off the field as well, so having that support when you’re out there, I know last year we were both quite nervous when we were going into that first Test and then for him coming back into that team, not getting the opportunity in England, there’s a few nerves that float around.”But we obviously know how to get off strike with each other, but that’s just normally what you do anyway as a cricketer – if Will’s there he’s not going to do anything different. So it’s about building that bond and relationship and we’re the two that go out there together all the time when we face up, so you’ve got to have that bond and partnership.”Asked about criticism of Hohns’ suggestion he would be consulting Warner from the former Test captains Ricky Ponting and Mark Taylor, the opener said that his views were formed soundly on the basis of recent performance from the duo, even if Warner has been able to put far more individual runs on the board than Burns.”They’re two guys who have captained their country. I’m sure they would have had a say in their teams as well. But obviously they were captains,” Warner said. “As I see it, I don’t think it’s just like the selectors are going to come and ask me. It’s just more of a preference in the sense of the amount of time I’ve spent with Joe Burns in the middle.”Obviously we won a lot of games last year, so for me, you don’t really break something that is working, which is obviously the opposite to when things aren’t going your way and you’ve got to try and find solutions to problems. That’s the only thing I can sort of back that answer up with. As you say, when you get into the Australian team, you have to put numbers on the board and Will is an exceptional talent and a great player and he’s in the right mind-frame at the moment.”This next sort of A game is going to be the tell-all. It could well be the bat-off for that position. It’s going to be interesting to see but the selectors will pick the team.”Warner also reflected on how, at the age of 34, his game had evolved into a lower risk – though still free scoring – mode of batting. “I’ve just recently turned 34, so my days are numbered, when you’re in the 30s. There’s obviously a risk element but there’s a cricket smarts element to it as well,” he said. “For myself, it’s about getting off to a good start and taking calculated risks in that middle-overs period if we’re talking about 50-over games.”I think last year was probably the most disciplined I’ve batted in Test match cricket as well. I faced a lot of balls in the games and gave myself a lot of time. I really took pride in the last 12-24 months, to apply that discipline and you keep learning as you get older.”You don’t always have this game down pat. You’ve always have to keep thinking outside that square and bowlers have different ideas and ways of trying to get you out. You’ve got to be on top of your game to be able to adapt to that.”
Rangers legend Ally Mccoist has admitted that he was shocked his former side opted not to move for a true number nine in January following their issues in front of goal this season, likening current front man Cyriel Dessers to Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson.
Rangers striker options split opinion
It is no secret that Philippe Clement is not blessed at the top of the pitch as it stands. Dessers has been hit and miss since his arrival, with 13 goals in 30 Scottish Premiership appearances but a better record across all competitions. It led to Rangers drafting in Fabio Silva on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers in January, but he has also struggled.
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Though his endeavour cannot be questioned, his return of two goals in 13 games certainly can be, and with Rangers struggling to find the back of the net with concerning regularity this season, change seems inevitable this summer.
Rangers' struggles in front of goal
Fabio Silva
Cyriel Dessers
Appearances
13
30
Goals
2
13
Assists
0
3
Minutes per goal
339
144
Shots on target per 90
1.02
1.98
Speaking exclusively to Football FanCast on behalf of talkSPORT BET, Rangers legend Ally McCoist weighed in on the situation, admitting that the fans are split on their current no.9 options.
"I think the fans are kind of split. Silva's work rate is first class and Dessers scored two goals at the weekend [against Hearts]. His goal return has actually been good, but I think a lot of the fans perhaps feel that in many ways, he's maybe a wee bit like Nicolas Jackson at Chelsea whose goal return is acceptable but could be greater."
McCoist picks Shankland alternative
There was plenty of speculation that Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland would be making the switch to Ibrox in January, with McCoist labelling it the "obvious choice" for the Glasgow giants. Shankland leads the goalscoring charts this season, with 28 goals in all competitions for Hearts, and has forced his way into Steve Clarke's Scotland squad ahead of this summer's European Championships.
"I'll be honest, I thought that if they were going to sign another centre forward, they should probably have done it in the [January] window, and I think that Lawrence Shankland would have been the obvious choice", he toldFFC.
Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland.
"Shankland I think this season he's sitting on 28 goals or 29 goals, which is a fantastic return and I was a little bit surprised, I've not been privy to the financial knowledge at the club, maybe they couldn't afford it I don't know, but at that particular time in the window it seemed the sensible move for Rangers to make."
But though McCoist bemoaned Rangers' failure to move for the marksman, he did also identify an alternative this summer in the form of free-scoring Aberdeen striker Bojan Miovski, who he labelled "terrific".
Though less prolific than his Hearts counterpart, Miovski has nonetheless managed to notch up 24 goals this season across all competitions, including four in Europe. Four years younger than Shankland, could he be the man Rangers opt for this summer to ease their goalscoring woes?
Leeds United will be worrying that a promotion collapse is now well underway, after going the last three Championship games without a win with the performance and result against Blackburn Rovers last time out a real concern.
The Whites would end up losing 1-0 to John Eustace's Riversiders courtesy of a late Sammie Szmodics strike, the second tier's top scorer showing the wasteful Leeds attackers where the back of the net is in the narrow defeat.
Daniel Farke will be riddled with even more doubt now over who he should start in the attacking positions going forward as the games become more tense to make the goals flow again, with Crysencio Summerville's set-in-stone position in the first-team up for grabs even after his dismal showing against Blackburn.
Crysencio Summerville's performance in numbers
Summerville has failed to score in his stuttering side's last three second-tier contests now, drawing yet another blank frustratingly against Eustace's visitors.
Failing to hit a single on-target effort at Aynsley Pears' goal in the 1-0 defeat, the usually electric Dutch winger also found all ten of his crosses go astray on a poor day at the office for the 22-year-old.
Unable to complete one successful dribble in the narrow loss as well, on top of squandering possession a staggering 28 times, the 5 foot 9 attacker could find his spot filled by somebody else versus Middlesbrough up next after such an off-performance.
This would be a very bold selection call by Farke, with Summerville having started every league game since being left out against Ipswich Town last August, but the German boss showed he can make rash switches by starting Wilfried Gnonto ahead of Daniel James in the 1-0 loss.
Gnonto will feel he's done enough to secure another starting spot for the upcoming trip to Boro, but Joel Piroe will be anxious that he will return to the substitutes bench again after putting in an anonymous display against Blackburn.
Joel Piroe's performance vs Blackburn in numbers
In another tweak from the XI that stumbled to a 0-0 draw against Sunderland, Piroe was preferred as the lone striker ahead of Patrick Bamford for the visit of Eustace's men.
This was a switch that didn't work out whatsoever for Leeds however, with the ex-Swansea City striker unable to really kick into gear against a resilient Blackburn defence and bag a decisive goal.
Joel Piroe
Piroe would fall victim to the same fate as Summerville by failing to fire a single on-target effort at the Riversiders net from his 90 minutes on the Elland Road turf, alongside seeing 11 of his 34 passes go astray in a below-par display from the struggling Whites number seven.
It wasn't a surprise, therefore, to see LeedsLive journalist Beren Cross hand out a scathing 3/10 rating to Piroe in the direct aftermath of the demoralising defeat – Cross stating that the 24-year-old attacker 'brought nothing' when it came to troubling the Blackburn back four.
Minutes played
90
Touches
43
Accurate passes
23/34
Shots on target
0
Duels won
3/7
Possession lost
13x
Scanning the table above, Bamford could well find a way back into his manager's starting lineup again ahead of Piroe after the 6 foot 1 striker's dire performance against Blackburn.
Daniel Farke before a game with Leeds United.
Farke will hope whatever XI he fields for the trip to the Riverside Stadium next can be the lineup that picks up a much-needed win, making the promotion-chasers confident again instead of being uncertain over whether or not they're cut out to be in the Premier League next season.
Chalkboard
Football FanCast's Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.
Marc Cucurella says Cole Palmer has had to smooth things over with Erling Haaland as he didn't take kindly to the Chelsea man's song about him.
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Cucurella's song angers striker
Palmer speaks to former team-mate
Spaniard admits he would do it again
WHAT HAPPENED?
After Cucurella helped Spain win Euro 2024 this summer, the left-back fired a warning at Manchester City striker Haaland in song form. The Norwegian international was reportedly not happy about the chant, with Cucurella subsequently revealing that Chelsea team-mate and ex-City player Palmer has tried to act as a mediator. Now, the 26-year-old has said "world star" Haaland took it "personally", and the Spaniard was taken out of context – but he would do it all over again if he could.
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WHAT MARC CUCURELLA SAID
He told Efe: "Yes, in England too, a lot of attention was given to that and these things happen. I am very happy and I think that if someone has a song sung with his name it is because he is a top player or a world star, the name of a player who is not known would not be used. Everyone is happy because he scored and I am still just as happy to win the Euro. I would do it again, these things happen and that is all.
"In the end, in England they took it a little out of context and I don't think he [Haaland] understood it either. He read what they said and took it a little personally. Nowadays people take things very personally, but then they had some awards and my colleague [Cole] Palmer asked him about me and that was it. It was just an anecdote."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Cucurella and Haaland did cross paths on the opening Premier League game of the season, with the latter shrugging off the ex-Brighton ace en route to opening the scoring in a 2-0 win against Chelsea last month. The former Borussia Dortmund man was certainly not "trembling" as he got the better of the Spaniard at Stamford Bridge.
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WHAT NEXT?
While both Haaland and Cucurella are on international duty for their respective countries over the next week or so, they may lock horns with one another for the return Premier League clash at the Etihad in January 2025.
Tottenham are thought to be confident of signing their top attacking target this summer, with talks underway.
Spurs eyeing new striker
Spurs have been busy in the two transfer windows since Ange Postecoglou’s arrival, with Daniel Levy and co bringing in a plethora of new players. Despite this, Postecoglou has admitted that his side still needs time in the market and on the training ground before they are at their best.
"We've got a lot of work to do still on the squad and I don't think we're anywhere near where we want to be. It probably will take a little bit more than three windows to get there, for sure.
"I certainly don't think we're one or two players away from getting to where I want us to be, nowhere near it. Some of that will be natural evolution. Some of it hopefully means we continue to get the improvement we've had this year from some of our players. If that happens over the next 12 months, then we'll be in a great position."
Tottenham ready to offer "important sum" for Serie A star as price tag set
The north Londoners are prepared to spend.
ByEmilio Galantini Mar 28, 2024
You could make an argument that Tottenham are yet to replace Harry Kane, with the likes of Brennan Johnson and Timo Werner playing out wide. Tottenham are more likely than not to make Werner's loan deal permanent in the summer, but a new centre-forward appears to be of interest in north London.
Reports suggest that Tottenham are likely to sign an attacker this summer, and there have been a number of targets mentioned. For example, Union St. Gillosie striker Mohamed Amoura is a reported option for Spurs at a rumoured price of around £17 million, while more well-known names like Brentford star Ivan Toney are said to be in Spurs’ thinking as well.
Another name that has been mentioned is Feyenoord’s Santiago Gimenez. Spurs were thought to be among the favourites for his signature, and a promising new update has now emerged.
Spurs in intense Santiago Gimenez transfer talks
According to CaughtOffside, Tottenham have already made contact with Gimenez and are planning a summer swoop, with the Mexico international their top target to fill the No.9 position. In fact, it is claimed that Spurs ‘are confident of landing the Feyenoord frontman this summer and talks are intensifying’.
Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez.
The report adds that Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic, Lille’s Jonathan David, Brighton’s Evan Ferguson and Toney are alternative options.
Gimenez is still just 22 years of age and made the move to the Netherlands from Mexico outfit CD Cruz Azul in 2022. Since then, the left-footed striker has been on an upward trajectory which has resulted in rumours of a move to Spurs and even Real Madrid. This season, Gimenez has been in impressive form, scoring 24 goals and registering five assists in 35 appearances.
Ajax 0-4 Feyenoord
10/10
Excelsior 2-4 Feyenoord
9.31/10
Feyenoord 6-1 Almere City FC
9.26/10
PEC Zwolle 0-2 Feyenoord
8.55/10
FC Utrecht 1-5 Feyenoord
8.42/10
He has also been hailed by former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt, who highlighted the player's speed as a specific attribute.
"He’s back here in the middle of the defenders and he’s really fast. Watching the keeper before he shoots, the rest. In my opinion, he is currently the best striker in the Eredivisie."
Wolverhampton Wanderers' 2-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League saw them maintain their excellent form of 2024.
Despite losing to Newcastle United the weekend prior, the Old Gold have now only lost three games in all competitions this year so far and Gary O’Neil has his team extremely well-drilled.
The former Bournemouth manager has transformed their fortunes from a team who looked like they were being dragged into a relegation fight last season, to a side who are challenging for a top-half finish in the league this term.
Wolves manager Gary O'Neil celebrates a Premier League win.
Much of this is down to an attacking improvement. Last season, the Molineux side scored just 31 goals in the top flight – the lowest in the entire division – while so far, during 2023/24, they have found the back of the net on 42 occasions, and there are still ten matches to be played.
Hwang Hee-Chan and Matheus Cunha have been O’Neil’s main threats in front of goal, with the duo scoring 11 times each in all competitions and having not one, but two players who are capable of putting matches beyond the opposition have been crucial in their revival.
Another player who has returned to form this term is Pedro Neto, with the Portuguese winger proving to be one of their finest players under O’Neil.
Pedro Neto’s season in numbers for Wolves
Last season, the 23-year-old suffered a serious ankle injury in October which ruled him out of action for five months, meaning he missed the 2022 World Cup.
Across the whole campaign, Neto managed to score once along with grabbing one assist in 21 competitions for the club as they struggled without him.
Goals
2
Assists
9
Key passes per game
2
Big chances created
7
Successful dribbles per game
1.9
Shots on target per game
0.6
Via Sofascore
A solid pre-season ensured he began the current season in the best possible shape. O’Neil was soon rewarded as Neto registered seven assists and a goal in just ten Premier League matches, before suffering a hamstring injury which meant he missed nine league matches.
Since recovering from that setback, the former Lazio gem has scored a further two goals and chipped in with four assists to take his tally to 14 goal contributions – three goals and 11 assists – this season.
It has been a wonderful season for the youngster and his place in Portugal’s Euro 2024 squad must surely be guaranteed.
Wolves forward Pedro Neto in Premier League action.
Not only that, but the winger currently ranks third among his teammates for goals and assists (11) in the top flight, along with ranking second for shots per game (1.8), third for big chances created (7) and first for key passes per game (two), demonstrating how effective he has been in the final third.
Neto, Hwang, and Cunha currently find themselves all injured and could miss several matches. If only there was a striker who the team could currently call on who has outscored Neto this term, yet was sold by Bruno Lage in the summer of 2022. Patrick Cutrone, anyone?
How much Wolves signed Patrick Cutrone for
Following an impressive seventh placed finish in their first full season back in the top flight during the 2018/19 season, Nuno Espírito Santo was on the lookout for players who could vastly improve his squad.
AC Milan striker Patrick Cutrone was earmarked as a main target and Nuno eventually got his man, securing the player for a transfer fee in the region of £23m, a staggering sum.
Former Wolves striker Patrick Cutrone.
27 goals in 90 appearances for Milan was an impressive strike rate, especially for a player so young, and it looked like the move could turn out to be an impressive piece of business.
Patrick Cutrone’s statistics at Wolves
The Italian scored just three times for the Old Gold during the first half of the 2019/20 campaign as he struggled to settle in properly at the club.
He was subsequently sent out on loan to Fiorentina, netting five times, before returning to Wolves in January 2021.
Further loan spells at Valencia and Empoli between then and May 2022 meant Cutrone only played 28 matches for the Old Gold during his three years at Molineux, and when FC Como came calling in the summer of 2022, Lage sold him on in order to get the striker off his wage bill.
Patrick Cutrone
Since returning to Italy, the centre-forward has enjoyed a much better time of things, and he would have eased the Cunha blow O’Neil has suffered recently.
What Patrick Cutrone is doing now
Last season, the 26-year-old scored nine goals in 35 matches for the Serie B outfit – managed by none other than Cesc Fabregas – but he has already improved on this during the current campaign.
Indeed, Cutrone has hit double figures (ten) for goals, having played just 23 times in the league for Como, and he has outscored Neto this season by seven.
While he failed to display his true talents following his move from Milan, Cutrone appears to have found his feet back in his homeland and there is no doubt he has rediscovered his scoring touch.
Cunha is likely to be out until after the international break at the end of this month, leaving O’Neil short of options to lead the line.
Where Are They Now
Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast's Where Are They Now series.
So far during 2023/24, not only does Cutrone rank first among his teammates for goals and assists in Serie B (12), but the former Wolves' frontman also ranks first for shots per game (3.3) and first for scoring frequency (a goal every 187 minutes), proving his worth in the Italian second tier for Como.
Still only 26, Cutrone has plenty of years left. Did Lage perhaps move him on too swiftly back in 2022? The Old Gold went on to sign Diego Costa and Sasa Kalajdzic following his departure which says they didn't learn from their lessons up top.
Wolves striker Diego Costa.
Kalajdzic did suffer a terrible injury on his first start for the club, while Costa managed to net just once for the Molineux side in 25 matches.
Would Cutrone have done worse had he been given another full season to fully demonstrate his goal-scoring abilities?
The supporters will never know, but at this moment in time, they could do with a player who is finding the net as often as he is to cover Cunha and Hwang, who will miss the next few matches.
Wolves flop was meant to "replace Jimenez", but was worse than Cutrone
Wolves had a player who was going to replace Jimenez but ended up scoring zero goals for the club
A young defender is said to be impressing Tottenham staff behind-the-scenes in training, according to a source very close to the player.
Spurs chasing top four finish in excellent Ange debut season
Ange Postecoglou has won over plenty of admirers after a wonderful first campaign in charge, with the north Londoners firmly in pursuit of a top four finish and subsequent Champions League qualification.
Ange privately tells sources that "huge" forward is perfect for Tottenham
The Australian is a big fan.
ByEmilio Galantini Mar 13, 2024
They seized a vital advantage in that respect last weekend with a very impressive 4-0 win away to top four rivals Aston Villa, with goals from James Maddison, Brennan Johnson, Son Heung-min and Timo Werner capping off an excellent second half display.
It summed up just how devastating Tottenham can be when operating at their imperious attacking best, something which Postecoglou himself alluded to when reacting to the match afterwards.
Fulham (away)
March 16th
Luton Town (home)
March 30th
West Ham (away)
April 2nd
Nottingham Forest (home)
April 8th
Newcastle United (away)
April 13th
“The whole game I was really pleased with,” said Postecoglou on Spurs' win over Villa. "The way we handled the whole day, to be honest. Obviously we knew it was a significant game and a tough venue, good opponent, the atmosphere here behind their team. The first half we did well to make them work hard more than anything else. They had to try and contain us and the threats they had we snuffed out.
“I got a sense towards the back end of the first half that they were beginning to already tire a little bit. That was the message at half-time – just persevere, stay calm, play our football, maintain our intensity, which was going to be important."
An intriguing aspect of the match was January signing Radu Dragusin coming in for Micky van de Ven, after the Dutchman was hauled off with a hamstring injury.
The Romania international held his own in Postecoglou's high line, coming after Spurs put pen to paper on a £25 million deal for Dragusin from Genoa.
Radu Dragusin impressing in Tottenham training
Speaking to Fanatik, agent Florin Manea has shared some interesting background on the 22-year-old's time at Tottenham so far. Indeed, as per Manea, Dragusin has been impressing in Tottenham training and treats every single session like it's a proper match.
“They had a well-laid plan," said Manea on Dragusin and the club's intention on using him.
"He had to wait his turn and help his team. It was natural, because the two centre-backs played very well together and it was hard to take them out. From one point of view, it wasn’t normal to take them out.
“I was talking to someone at the club and he told me he’s training exceptionally well. You can’t blame him. Training is like a match for Radu. That’s what we’ve been aiming for for years. The way you train is the way you play.”
He marked his 300th T20 game with an unbeaten 69 off 37 balls to smash Paarl Rocks
The Report by Firdose Moonda29-Nov-2019
AB de Villiers goes for an unorthodox shot•Getty Images
The Tshwane Spartans moved to the top of the Mzansi Super League table, with an eight-wicket bonus-point victory over the Paarl Rocks. Three teams – the Spartans, Rocks and the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants are tied on 19 points – with the Spartans leading the pack on net run-rate. As things stand, these three teams will battle it out to host the final, but the Durban Heat and the Cape Town Blitz will have opportunities in the coming week to make up some ground.AB gets a move on, a let-off and the winThe Spartans’ chase seemed to be drifting despite the team knowing the importance of a bonus point and they reached the halfway stage of their innings on 63 for 2, effectively half the total of the Rocks. And then AB de Villiers had enough. In his 300th T20 match, de Villiers reminded viewers who the boss of this circuit is. He took 19 runs off Hardus Viljoen’s third over, which also contained a wide, and three of the biggest sixes seen at this tournament.Viljoen went short too many times and de Villiers sent him over the leg-side boundary each time, with his sixes flying progressively further as he went. In the next over, de Villiers placed and timed a pull off Tabraiz Shasmi perfectly to bisect the fielders on the leg-side boundary but then made a mistake when he top-edged the left-arm wristspinner. Wicketkeeper Mangliso Mosehle and Henry Davids at first slip were both going for the catch, which should have been Mosehle’s, and the ball eventually fell between them. De Villiers went on to finish with an unbeaten 69 off 37 balls to take his side home in 15 overs.Rocks crumble The Rocks had raced to 29 off their first two overs but things swiftly went wrong from the their third.They added seven runs in the first four balls before Henry Davids was bowled by a Morne Morkel snorter than rattled middle and off stump. The Rocks lost all 10 wickets for 90 runs and their next highest stand was only 22. They were bowled out with two balls to spare.The Dupscoop Forget the Dilscoop, Faf du Plessis has invented a shot of his own and he brought it out against his old national team-mate Morne Morkel. Before Morkel had even released the delivery, du Plessis walked outside his off stump, bent his right knee to the ground and then flicked the length ball over his left shoulder and down to fine leg. Dane Piedt, on commentary, confirmed it’s called the Dupscoop. Unfortunately, du Plessis did not have the chance to do it again. Four balls later he gifted a catch to mid-off and was dismissed for 19.Best figures in MSL 2019 Roelof van der Merwe is now the holder of the best figures this season after his 3 for 15 in this match. His first victim was Sibonelo Makhanya who holed out to deep square leg and his third was du Plessis’ but it’s the second that van der Merwe will be particularly pleased was attributed to him. Bjorn Fortuin played across the line and missed an attempted leg-glance. The ball hit his back pad as he dragged his foot outside the crease and even seemed to think about a leg-bye. Heinrich Klaasen, though, reacted quickly to throw the ball onto the stumps and find Fortuin short of his crease. On the scorecard, the wicket was recorded as a stumping, and so counts towards van der Merwe’s tally, and not a run-out. It also put van der Merwe into the top-ten wicket-takers in the tournament.