We have spent the last 18 months developing the player pool so we can be prepared to make the correct decisions for the World Cup roster, and this is another valuable opportunity. We must treat these games like they are a part of the World Cup, and what is most important is that the players bring the right mentality and commitment to the group.
Estupinan smashed the ball into the net leaving Yann Sommer surprised and frozen. Allegri's tactical tweaks taking advantage of the wide areas - occupied by Luis Henrique especially - paid off. The gap to first place and Inter was reduced to seven points.
We didn't play well with the ball, we lost possession too often, which is what Newcastle want. We knew that when they pass the ball, they are very quick. It wasn't easy, but I'm very happy with my team, especially the defence; we defended very well on the pitch.
Barcelona suffered elimination from the Copa del Rey earlier in the week despite winning 3-0 against Atletico Madrid, due to their 4-0 loss in the first leg last month. Having put up a strong performance in the previous match, irrespective of the outcome, Barcelona will want to build on that and generate more steam heading into the first leg of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 against Newcastle United next week.
Fly across the world not knowing if I could swing a bat and then have to rehab with them versus being here, it just didn't make sense, especially getting ready for a season. It's more important to be fully healthy. Obviously in the short term I want to go, but you're more inclined to push through something that we shouldn't push through with such a strict timeline, so we're going to take a step back and make sure it fully heals.
According to Premier Injuries, after 1,383 days were lost through injury in Klopp's last season at Anfield, in 2024/25 that figure dropped to just 764 under Slot. Only Forest (673) lost fewer days through injury absence in the Premier League.
I played 717 games for Chelsea and I could say, genuinely, I was 100 per cent fit for five of them. When I went into a game, I rarely didn't have a rib, arm, leg, ankle or some sort of injury – something always hurt.
Borthwick urged his players to use the opportunity to ask how they dealt with setbacks after England's Six Nations hopes went up in smoke for another year after last Saturday's dismal 42-21 defeat by Ireland, seven days after they were outclassed by Scotland.
At the time, not many of Salech's teammates were close to him in terms of goalscoring, and with veteran frontman Callum Robinson as the only natural replacement, who had cultivated himself as a reliable back-up throughout the season, many were wondering who Brian Barry-Murphy would turn to.
Rafael Leao continues to play through the pain barrier in the hopes of helping AC Milan's cause, but he is having to play with the handbrake on. As MilanNews write, Leao's season is a story of 'brilliance and resilience'. The forward has been productive despite numerous physical issues since August, which have limited his consistency and the levels he is able to perform at. Yet, even in less than optimal conditions, his impact remains evident.