This fixture was originally postponed earlier this month due to the death of Barca team doctor Carles Minarro Garcia.
The rearranged fixture was therefore always likely to congest the schedule for both teams, but neither are happy with the game being played so close to the international window when some players won’t be long back from national team duty.
Barca and Osasuna both failed in their appeals for the fixture to be moved, meaning the two teams faced the prospect of two games in just four days – Barcelona play Girona on Sunday with Osasuna up against Athletic Club.
Despite the scheduling controversy, Barca start the final stretch of the club season in excellent shape. They have won their last seven league games in succession and sit top of LaLiga. The Catalans are title favourites at this point.
For Osasuna, though, the hope is that the international break gave them the opportunity to reset after a six-game winless run across all competitions.
While Vicente Moreno’s team have a six-point cushion on the relegation places, they must find form quickly to avoid being sucked into trouble near the foot of the table.
Key players
For club and country, Lamine Yamal is the brightest spark on the pitch. He proved this by scoring a crucial goal for Spain in their UEFA Nations League win over the Netherlands. The teenager will likely be Barca’s main threat against Osasuna too.
Nobody has scored more goals for Barcelona this season than Robert Lewandowski and the Polish striker is expected to lead the line for the Catalans on Thursday, although Ferran Torres could be a rotational option.
Barcelona’s top scorers in LaLiga, 2024/25
Pedri and Gavi will control the game in central midfield with Frenkie de Jong currently in good form as the midfielder who gives Barcelona a different dimension due to his eye-catching dribbling ability.
Osasuna have already beaten Barca once this season and will look to recycle the game plan that worked back in September by exploiting the Catalans’ high defensive line.
Ante Budimir netted in that match, and has 15 goals to his name in LaLiga this season. The Croatian will pose a threat once more at Montjuïc with Rubén García and Aimar Oroz two others to keep an eye on.
Team news
Ronald Araújo and Raphinha are expected to be back in the Barcelona squad, but after playing for Uruguay and Brazil respectively on Tuesday night it’s possible both players could start Thursday night’s game on the bench.
Pau Cubarsí is a doubt after picking up an ankle injury while playing for Spain in the UEFA Nations League quarter-finals. However, Iñigo Martínez is back in training after recovering from a knee issue.
Osasuna will be without Bryan Zaragoza after the on-loan Bayern Munich winger was forced off against Getafe before the international break.
Lucas Torro will serve a suspension while Enzo Boyomo will be in the same situation as Araújo and Raphinha having played for Cameroon earlier this week.
Prediction
We’re expecting Barca to head in to the weekend with a three point advantage at the top of LaLiga, winning this game with a minimum of fuss, despite all the noise pre-match: Barcelona 2-0 Osasuna
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Such was the frequency that Liverpool conducted business with Southampton in the mid-to-late 2010s that it was often joked that they should be given a loyalty card.
Five players were signed in the space of three summers, while another was attempted the next, only to be delayed by a public apology for tapping up and completed seven months later.
Rickie Lambert stands out as an anomaly, the boyhood Liverpool supporter scoring three goals in 36 games in his one season at Anfield, but the club’s then-director of research Ian Graham has since described the £4 million signing as an “experiment” to test out Brendan Rodgers‘ “obsession” with signing a target man in Christian Benteke.
Nevertheless, the quips are starting again as the Reds are increasingly linked with a number of players from another south-coast club: this time, Bournemouth.
Arne Slot‘s second summer transfer window is expected to be decidedly busier than his first, when Federico Chiesa stood as the club’s only immediate signing while another deal was struck to bring Giorgi Mamardashvili in for 2025.
That includes interest in a new centre-back, a left-back and another wide forward, all of whom could feasibly be plucked from Andoni Iraola‘s Bournemouth squad.
As it stands, Liverpool’s chief target for the left-back role is Milos Kerkez, the 21-year-old Hungary international who is close friends with Dominik Szoboszlai, while there is mounting speculation over a move for Dean Huijsen, the 19-year-old Spain centre-back with a £50 million release clause.
Clearly, there are similarities between the Southampton of the mid-2010s and this current Bournemouth iteration; both were upwardly mobile sides with one of the Premier League’s most talented young managers and an enviable recruitment structure.
Those at Liverpool will know that better than most, not least as Richard Hughes, their new sporting director, joined the club from Bournemouth last summer, having previously held the position of technical director at Dean Court since 2016.
Hughes brought with him chief scout Mark Burchill and Craig McKee, another scout, as part of a new-look transfer setup in the halls of Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre. Given those ties to Bournemouth, the ongoing links start to make more sense.
While Liverpool are not beholden to the opinions of only a handful of recruitment heads, instead employing a legion of scouts, analysts and data scientists to inform their decisions on signings and sales, it certainly helps that the background work has already been conducted once before on the likes of Kerkez and Huijsen.
There will be a conviction over each player’s character along with what they can offer to the side, and more so how they would fit into a particular system. Hughes, Burchill and McKee will also have a better understanding of the ceiling of those players, as Liverpool will be buying as much for the long term as they are the immediate term this summer.
The connection between the two clubs runs deeper than those new faces within Liverpool’s hierarchy, though, including a long-standing relationship between Bournemouth and Michael Edwards, now installed as Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of football.
Edwards fostered a strong bond with not only Hughes but also future Bournemouth coaches Eddie Howe and Gary O’Neil when he worked as chief analyst at Portsmouth and they were part of Harry Redknapp’s first-team squad.
The friendship remained beyond their playing days and, in their future roles as sporting director at Liverpool and technical director at Bournemouth respectively, it often saw Edwards and Hughes in contact over transfers.
That included the sales of Dominic Solanke, Jordon Ibe and Brad Smith to Bournemouth, as well as loans for Harry Wilson, Nat Phillips and Nathaniel Clyne, but also direct competition for a number of players both clubs wished to sign.
Hughes had hoped to sign Andy Robertson, Harvey Elliott and Joe Gomez only to lose out to Edwards’ Liverpool, while the latter saw interest in the likes of Lloyd Kelly, Lewis Cook and David Brooks fall short as they opted for Dean Court over Anfield.
Bournemouth may have lost the core of their recruitment setup in the summer but they are still enjoying the fruits of their labour, not least the appointment of Iraola as head coach and the squad Hughes and Co. helped build.
The Cherries sit 10th in the Premier League as the final international break of the campaign plays out, but they are only five points off fourth and can harbour genuine hopes of securing European football for the season to come.
It is an unfortunate reality that much of the squad that would lead them to the continental stage could be picked apart before they are able to experience it for the first time, but that could certainly benefit Liverpool.
Dean Huijsen player traits
In Kerkez and Huijsen in particular, Bournemouth possess two players who appear capable of making the step up to life at Anfield – and there will be testimonies to that effect on offer from those within the club.
So while there may be jibes from the outside about Bournemouth following Southampton as their next unofficial feeder club, there will be every confidence that any stamps on their new loyalty card will be a worthwhile investment for Liverpool.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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The Foxes appointed Steve Cooper to replace Enzo Maresca after the Italian tactician decided to move to Stamford Bridge to manage Chelsea.
They also parted with a rumoured £20million fee to bring Oliver Skipp to the King Power Stadium from Spurs. We’re almost into April and the midfielder has started just seven Premier League games and has just 773 minutes to his name in the English top-flight. It wasn’t exactly money well spent.
Caleb Okoli arrived from Atalanta, Abdul Fatawu made his loan spell from Sporting into a permanent move, while Odsonne Édouard and Facundo Buonanotte arrived on loan from Crystal Palace and Brighton respectively. The biggest deal of the summer for Leicester, though, was the one to bring Bilal El Khannouss to England.
This one raised a few eyebrows.
Leicester’s current league position
The 20-year-old playmaker had caught the eye for KRC Genk in Belgium, the country of his birth. However, he hadn’t really done enough to justify the rumoured £21million that Leicester agreed to pay to secure his services.
During his final season in Belgium, he scored three goals and chipped in with six assists across almost 2,200 regular season minutes. And then no further goal contributions in another 10 appearances following the league split. The Foxes weren’t paying for the finished product. They were paying for potential. It was risky on their part given they had a Championship standard squad for the most part and needed real quality if they were to retain their status as a Premier League club.
It hasn’t gone to plan. Cooper was replaced by Ruud Van Nistelrooy and the former PSV coach appears to be out of his depth. He’s won just two matches in the Premier League in the dugout for the Foxes and they have lost 13 of their last 14 matches in the English top-flight.
El Khannouss player traits – comparison against similar players in top 5 leagues
Buonanotte and Ayew have been shrewd additions with a combined 10 goals between them. However, it is El Khannouss who is the most intriguing Leicester player this term.
He’s found the back of the net just twice and has a single assist to his name. But his goal involvements come in the two games that the Foxes claimed all three points in under Van Nistelrooy.
El Khannouss assisted Jamie Vardy’s opener and scored himself in a 3-1 victory over West Ham in the Dutchman’s first game in charge. He struck the winner in the 2-1 win at Spurs in January.
He caught the eye in a 2-0 loss to Manchester City, attempting the most dribbles of any player on the pitch (five) and having the highest success rate (80%). He also had a 100% tackle success rate against the reigning champions.
While his performances haven’t been enough to land him into any Team of the Season conversations, bigger teams have taken note of his work rate and quality.
According to reports recently, Lazio are wanting to sign him for €30million this summer while RB Leipzig want to bring him in on loan, possibly to replace the departing Xavi Simons. That alone should be enough for the rest of Europe to realise he’s a talent.
RB Leipzig have an eye for final third players.
There’s also interest in the 20-year-old from within the Premier League. Arsenal are the ‘most interested’ while league leaders Liverpool have him on their radar as they plot an attacking overhaul this summer.
Despite his low attacking returns this term, you can understand why teams might be interested.
El Khannouss passing stats, Premier League 2024/25
In an interview with Sky Sports earlier in the year, Miguel Ribeiro, Genk’s first-team technical and individual coach, heaped praise on the young playmaker, saying: “I used to tell people that he had eyes in his back, because he sees everything. When you watch him, you see he is always checking around him and looking over his shoulders.”
And you can see this now, even in the Premier League.
Despite Leicester’s struggles, and El Khannouss having to adapt to the rigours of the English top-flight, he’s managed to still post encouraging numbers.
El Khannouss defending stats, Premier League 2024/25
For example, this term in the Premier League, he’s completed over 60% of his attempted dribbles. He’s press resistant and a space-creator. Top teams love these profiles in their forward line. He’s also fairly accurate as a passer for someone who is a creator. He can retain possession and progress play – more boxes ticked. Without the ball, he’s a grafter. Again, this is an invaluable trait these days. For the Foxes this term, he’s won over 55% of his tackles and duels, he’s also handy in the air too despite being just 5″11′ and coming up against physical midfielders.
He’s got potential in possession and he does what is required without the ball to fit into a top six team. If he develops as hoped, he could be another Genk academy graduate to dominate the Premier League, just like Kevin De Bruyne.
Leicester’s biggest summer gamble appears to have been their most successful purchase.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Not for the first time, Argentina needed a diminutive attacker to produce a moment of magic to win a match last week. The only difference was that it wasn’t Lionel Messi who conjured it up. Instead, it was Thiago Almada who netted a stunner to give La Albiceleste a narrow 1-0 victory in a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier against Uruguay.
Messi watched from Miami where he is undergoing rehab for an injury picked up playing for Inter Miami before the international break. The Major League Soccer club are tight-lipped at the best of times when it comes to Messi’s fitness status and so it’s unclear whether the adductor strain will keep him out for any great period of time.
Even if Messi is back in action quickly, Argentina must look to build something in preparation for when their greatest-ever player finally calls it a day. With the 37-year-old currently sidelined, the 2022 World Cup winners will get a glimpse of what a post-Messi future will look like when they face Brazil on Tuesday night.
Against Uruguay last week, Lionel Scaloni set up his attack to play off Julián Alvarez with Almada in the left half-space and Giuliano Simeone on the right side. Argentina were happy to concede a lot of possession to open up space in quick transition with Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández and Leandro Paredes comfortable controlling the ball in the middle when they could.
Alvarez led the line for Argentina as they won the 2022 World Cup, but he has developed a lot as a centre forward since then. In Qatar, the then Manchester City player was used as something of a ‘False Nine.’ He was in the team to create space for others around him. Now, Alvarez is a difference-maker in his own right, as he has demonstrated for Atlético Madrid this season.
Simeone is another who has made an impact for Atleti recently with the 22-year-old an irrepressible force in and out of possession. He might not be the most refined in a lot of his attacking play, but Simeone is carrying his winning mentality into the Argentinean national team. He is an asset.
Almada produced the game-winning moment, finding the back of the net with a laser from outside the box. The 23-year-old has made a good start at Lyon since making the move to Ligue 1 from Botafogo in January and is also growing in stature for Argentina. He will surely have a role to play at the 2026 World Cup.
Nico González came off the bench in the second half while Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios was also introduced to offer more muscle in the centre of the pitch as Argentina protected their lead. The highly-rated Nico Paz was also in the squad having caught the eye for Como in Serie A this season.
Of course, none of these players are Messi. Nobody is. If all goes well, Argentina will still be able to call on the former Barcelona number 10 next summer when La Albiceleste will be defending their title. Messi might be playing in MLS, but at his best he is still capable of winning a match at the top level.
The concern for Scaloni must be that Messi’s recent injury record casts doubt on his ability to play high-intensity matches in quick succession. He has missed a lot of football since making the move to Inter Miami two years ago. This season, Messi has started just two out of five MLS fixtures. Last season, he started only 16 games.
For the 2026 World Cup and beyond, Scaloni must build something for Argentina that makes sense and functions with or without Messi. There are signs he is already doing this – it wasn’t just Messi who missed last week’s World Cup qualifying win over Uruguay, but Lautaro Martínez and Paulo Dybala too.
The qualifying picture ahead of Argentina vs. Brazil
“The national team is a team. When one is missing, another steps up,” explained Scaloni after Almada’s goal put Argentina on the brink of rubber-stamping World Cup qualification. “We had some very important absentees, but we have great players to go out on the field. The team is always more than just the names.”
Argentina enter Tuesday’s match against Brazil seven points clear of their rivals at the top of CONMEBOL qualifying. The Seleção have recovered after a slow start to the campaign, but Argentina are very much seen as the dominant force in the region right now. A home victory on Tuesday would further confirm this while showing La Albiceleste are looking ahead to the next generation. A generation without Messi.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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South America’s two biggest footballing nations face off in the World Cup qualifiers for the first time since 2023. Argentina are without the great man himself, Lionel Messi, but Brazil are struggling to convince.
Last week, Lionel Scaloni’s side came out 1-0 winners in their previous qualifier against Uruguay
thanks to a 68th minute goal from Lyon’s Thiago Almada, keeping them at the summit of the CONMEBOL table.
It was a mixture of magic and luck that spared Brazilian blushes in their 2-1 win over Colombia. Deep in to stoppage time, Vinícius Júnior struck a hopeful shot from around 20 yards out, it took a deflection off Jefferson Lerma and ended up in the back of the net.
The top six qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with the 7th placed team entering the intercontinental playoff
The elephant in the room
Argentina have plenty of attacking talent, but a lack of Messi would be detrimental for any club or international side, no matter his age. He was ruled out of this one after picking up a groin injury during Inter Miami’s 2-1 MLS win over Atlanta United.
With Lautaro Martínez a major doubt, having missed the win over Uruguay with a hamstring issue, Julián Alvarez has been given the opportunity to be Argentina’s main attacking threat for this international break.
He impressed last time out, providing the assist for Almada’s winner. Messi won’t be there forever, and it will take more than one player to replace him, but Alvarez has it in him to become a major player for the World Cup holders.
Blocking out the haters
Brazil boss Dorival Júnior has had plenty of critics, most notably from the likes of Ronaldinho, but he was bullish after their win over Colombia, saying “time puts everyone in their place.”
Dorival’s side were undoubtedly better than Colombia in their game, but they didn’t exactly dominate. An early penalty and some Vini Jr. magic have done little to calm the voices of discontent, and Argentina are a different beast all together.
It would take a monumentally huge collapse for the five-time World Champions to not qualify for the 2026 tournament, they currently sit third with 21 points from their 13 games.
It’s what they’ll do when they get there that has people concerned.
Argentina’s new generation
Scaloni appears to be looking to the future, calling Bologna duo Santiago Castro and Benjamín Domínquez up to the senior team for the first time in their young careers. Neither have made an appearance… yet, but the chance to train at the highest level is just as important.
Como wonderkid Nico Paz received the call last year, providing an assist in Argentina’s 6-0 win over Bolivia. Like the other two, opportunities have been hard to come by, but time is on his side.
Whether any of them feature against Brazil is the big question. Their inclusion proves Scaloni know he can’t rely on the old guard for much longer. Their win in Qatar proved how close-knit the side were, taking time over any potential rebuild may not be such a bad thing.
Raphinha is a new man
Few could have predicted the season Raphinha would have. He’s been tearing it up for Hansi Flick’s free-scoring Barcelona side, and that incredible form is translating on the international stage too.
He was the man of the match in the win over Colombia, and he’s Brazil’s top goal scorer and assist provider in their qualification campaign so far. Dorival Júnior isn’t exactly known for the Joga Bonito that made Brazil virtually invincible in the early 2000s, but he’s given the former Leeds man a chance to shine.
Argentina’s defence is aging, they still have Nicolás Otamendi knocking about. Of course, experience is important, but having Raphinha running at you in the form he’s in would be a test for the very best.
Raphinha during qualifying
Prediction
Matches between these two countries are usually a lot cagier than many may think, it’s a massive rivalry and neither side ever wants to lose. That being said, we reckon this one will be a 1-1 draw.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Thiago Motta lasted less than a season at Juventus. His stint had a memorable European win, some solid defensive performances, a record number of league draws, a misfiring attack, and ended with heavy defeats to Atalanta and Fiorentina.
While Motta wasn’t blameless in the swift curtailment of his time with the Old Lady, due to his inflexibility, and faltering relationship with multiple players, Juventus find themselves at a very familiar juncture in their history.
Not too long ago, they had embarked on similar journeys under Maurizio Sarri and Andrea Pirlo. This, in turn, had happened right after Max Allegri’s first spell with the club ended with the board promising a modernisation that was cut-short on both occasions and Allegri returned to the club after a couple of seasons.
In a way, Motta’s dismissal is a similar, but uglier tale. The club has briefed against him constantly and has villainised the ex-midfielder up until his sacking, suggesting their are other factors at play, and Motta’s situation is only the tip of the iceberg at the Bianconeri.
Juventus’ lack of direction
Juve operate in the tight financial regime of Serie A and considering their recent point deductions, they have to be extra cautious about their finances. All of that means that Champions League money is very important for Juventus and qualification is an immediate need for any new manager coming in.
A lot of times though, managers like Motta (who are ‘project’ managers and build for the long-term) take a fair amount of time to make the team their own. In this case, Juve were playing a completely different brand of football under Allegri and they made a quick jump to Motta, who preaches a more attacking brand of football.
That process always takes time and that is the risk that comes with hiring ‘project’ managers. That risk – as seen from examples at Milan and Roma – can cost Champions League qualification, which limits the budget going into the next season.
Managers like Allegri or Stefano Pioli are problem solvers and they adapt to situations extremely well. Pioli won Serie A with a not-so-great Milan side and Allegri helped Juve to the Coppa Italia as recently as last season and helped them through a very difficult campaign impacted by a points deduction. They are the textbook managers who can solve an immediate need and help improve sustainability, bringing little risk of missing out on Champions League.
But Juve are confused. They want to modernise and perhaps replicate the Atalanta model, but they barely have the patience to do so. The last few seasons show that. Perhaps, this is the time for them to buy into one model completely.
Were Juventus’ transfers Motta’s transfers?
While Juve’s PR line when signing new players is always that the incoming is the manager’s preferred signing, that isn’t always the case.
Throughout the season, there have been no signs that Motta knows how to use Luiz and Koopmeiners.
Later, Lloyd Kelly, Renato Veiga and Alberto Costa joined at the time of a defensive injury crisis. Those moves were made quickly as they filled obvious gaps in the backline after injuries to Bremer and Juan Cabal.
Beyond that, there is the question of breakout Bournemouth star Dean Huijsen being forced out of the club and Nicolo Fagioli suffering the same fate, despite impressing under Motta. Quite the same happened with Fabio Miretti, who is performing well at Genoa. Matías Soulé was also sold to Roma.
Dean Huijsen player traits– with comparison against similar players in the top five leagues
It can’t be a coincidence that all the club’s youth products – including Iling-Junior and Barrenechea were moved on at the same time. They were financial decisions made to earn capital gains and were barely managerial decisions. That is the reality Juve operate in and this problem will impact whoever signs on as the next manager too.
An untrustworthy dressing room?
Even though Motta is to be blamed for failing to control the squad dynamics, the Juve dressing room is full of instability.
Youth graduates Kenan Yıldız and Samuel Mbangula are constantly mentioned by the local press (that is often briefed by Juve) as for sale at the right price. Similar has happened for Andrea Cambiaso, who was linked with Manchester City.
It has also become clear that Juve painted a picture that the squad wasn’t happy with Motta. Whether that is true or not is a different point, but the club barely backed their own manager. Even if the players weren’t happy, that is often not a good sign at all.
Motta had to change captaincy multiple times during the season as he failed to trust players or vice versa. It became obvious that there is definitely an issue between the two parties. All of these problems can become major in the space of just a few months and after a point, it comes down to the culture that a club’s ownership imposes over a team.
A culture of instability will make every individual insecure at the club, things will turn messy, and that will cost many managers their job.
There are bigger things to worry about than Motta and as time goes by, Juventus fans will see them out in the open.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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While Liverpool are tasked with a revamp of their attack this summer and perhaps even replacing their main source of goals, the fact remains that they are still yet to even replace Sadio Mané.
Mohamed Salah has been by far the most influential player in this season’s Premier League, leading the top flight for goals (27), assists (17), big chances created (21) and xG and xA per 90 minutes (1.02).
No player has scored more match-winning goals (nine), while the Egyptian has by far the most involvement in his team’s goals, with 63.8 percent either scored or assisted by Liverpool’s No. 11.
That not only sums up how remarkable Salah’s form has been throughout a campaign that has cemented the Reds as champions-elect, but also the burden on his shoulders to drag them to the title.
Mohamed Salah’s shot map, Premier League 2024/25
No other Liverpool player has scored 10 or more goals in this season’s Premier League, with Salah’s fellow forwards Luis Díaz (nine) and Cody Gakpo (eight) the only others to even net five or more. Across all competitions their output of 13 and 16 goals each is more respectable, but five of Gakpo’s came in the fourth-priority Carabao Cup.
While it may be something of a rarity, the last time Liverpool had a genuine share of goals between two or more players was when they last lifted the Premier League title in 2019/20 – Salah with 19 and Sadio Mané with 18.
The season before that, Salah and Mané were tied with 22 league goals apiece, with the pair sharing the Golden Boot with Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in only the third time the award has been held by three players at once.
Premier League top scorers, 2018/19 season
Barring a miraculous run in the final nine games of the season, neither Gakpo or Díaz – nor Darwin Núñez or Diogo Jota, for that matter – will come close to even troubling the top five in this season’s Golden Boot race.
That is not to denigrate their input, of course, as all of Liverpool’s five most established senior forwards have had their part to play in an outstanding campaign – but such an unbalanced spread of goals is not tenable season in, season out.
It is a dynamic shift which Arne Slot will be forced to deal with, particularly if Salah himself opts to depart Anfield at the end of the season.
Which brings the focus back to Salah’s old partner-in-crime in attack, Mané, a player whom he shared far from the most amiable relationship at times on the pitch but certainly found a fierce understanding as part of the best attacking trio in the world.
Roberto Firmino‘s influence on Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool was almost unparalleled and it is widely acknowledged that the club have yet to replace the No. 9, but it is equally clear that they have failed to replace Mané as the clutch player alongside Salah.
During Liverpool’s title-winning season of 2019/20, Salah was only responsible for 34.1 percent of his team’s goals – with 12 players, led by Norwich’s Teemu Pukki, more relied upon. That was largely due to Mané contributing with another 29.4 percent of their goals and assists. This season, Díaz has contributed to 18.8 percent as Liverpool’s second-highest.
Mané’s career history, including Liverpool summary
There were big moments from the Senegalese, not least seven match-winning goals in that league campaign – behind only Raúl Jimenez and Gabriel Jesus (both eight) and equal to both Salah and Firmino – as he became a flat-track bully of sides such as Newcastle, Aston Villa, Wolves, Norwich, West Ham and Bournemouth.
His brave header in the fourth minute of stoppage time in a 2-1 win over Villa was considered the moment that truly kickstarted Liverpool’s title charge.
Salah (45) and Steven Gerrard (30) are the only players to score more Champions League goals for the club than Mané (24), with the pair having made at least 18 more appearances in the competition each.
In fact only 14 players in Liverpool’s history have found the back of the net more often than Mané’s 120 goals in 269 games. Post-war, with records more reliable and the sport drastically changed, he would be in the top 10 behind only Ian Rush, Roger Hunt, Salah, Billy Liddell, Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Kenny Dalglish and Michael Owen.
Those names are among the most esteemed in the club’s history, but it is rare that Mané’s is spoken in the same breath.
That may be as he found himself overshadowed by Salah, or perhaps as there was more of a parity between him, Salah and Firmino; it may be due a lack of attachment after his departure to Bayern Munich or the downturn he has experienced since.
But the difficulty Liverpool have faced in adequately replacing the player who once wore their No. 10 shirt should sum up how important he was to their success.
“He’s the one player I have played with who I have thought I am glad I don’t have to play against him,” Trent Alexander-Arnold told Gary Neville in an interview for The Overlap last year.
“He was the perfect attacker. He had everything. As an athlete, probably in the end he was similar to Ronaldo. He had the jump, he could get up, he was fast, he could finish. His finishing probably wasn’t the same but he could finish with both feet. He was just a threat at all times.”
Mané’s current season in Saudi Arabia
Mané possessed a bullish attacking threat and an assured two-footedness that allowed him to trouble sides from either flank and, towards the end of his time at Anfield, as a central striker. As Alexander-Arnold attests, he became as dangerous in the air as he was on the ground, while his pace on the counter was a major part of Klopp’s setup.
For a time, it seemed as though Díaz could offer the same maverick quality, but two serious injuries to the same knee appear to have sapped the Colombian of either his confidence or that unpredictability in one-on-one situations.
It is also fair to say that Liverpool are still yet to find another attacker as ruthless as Mané; as willing and capable of charging down lost causes; as decisive around in the 18-yard box.
Slot has, of course, opted for a different mould of left winger in Gakpo, whose ability to cut inside onto his right and test goalkeepers with phenomenal shooting power has drawn understandable comparisons with Arjen Robben.
But there remains a hole in the Liverpool squad where Mané’s attributes used to be, and ahead of a summer that could see a number of attackers leave – with question marks over Díaz, Núñez and Jota’s future along with Salah’s contract – it would be wise for the club to target a player with the same relentless quality.
Whether that is possible is, of course, another matter – as Mané’s focal role in Liverpool modern-day success should be more widely acknowledged. A legend who still has not been replaced.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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The Tuchel Era is upon us. The new England manager kicked off his spell in charge (and bid for a place at the 2026 World Cup finals) with a workmanlike 2-0 win against Albania on Friday night. A win is a win, and the manager was forthcoming about his team’s shortcomings afterwards. Latvia started theirs with a 1-0 win in Andorra, but more broadly their form has been wretched. Andorra, the Faroe Islands, Armenia, Liechtenstein and Moldova are the only teams they’ve beaten in the last four years.
Tuchel’s first game
First ever meeting
This is the first time that England have ever played Latvia, whose football association was originally set up in 1922 but who had a break of 50 years before reforming in 1990 as the country gained independence from the Soviet Union. The England women’s team beat the Latvia women’s team 20-0 in 2021 in a World Cup qualifier.
Key players
If there was one thing that England were missing on Friday night it was goals, and Latvia’s lowly position should give Tuchel the opportunity to let his players run wild a little. If he starts again – and he was withdrawn against Albania – Marcus Rashford increasingly feels like a player who could really do with a goal after nine appearances for Aston Villa without one, though it should be added that he’s certainly come close and that his performances since his loan have broadly been decent.
There’s not much celebrity to be found in the Latvia team. They only have one UK-based player, and that’s defender Daniels Balodis of St Johnstone, who signed for them at the end of the January transfer window. Their top goalscorer is Jānis Ikaunieks of RFS. He’s scored 12 goals for them in 64 appearances, and he’s one of just two players in their squad to have reached double figures alongside fellow striker Vladislavs Gutkovskis, who’s scored 11 in 51.
Team News
Anthony Gordon was the player who replaced Rashford on Friday night, only to limp away himself and subsequently be withdrawn from the squad. Whether that means Rashford gets another start is open to question, but it’s hardly as though Tuchel is short of attacking options as a replacement and an opportunity may have opened up for Morgan Rogers, who was introduced at the same time as Gordon on Friday night, to be thrown into the mix. Latvia emerged from their trip to Andorra with no fresh injury concerns.
Prediction
Thomas Tuchel survived his first test as the England manager and Latvia should be more comfortable opponents than Albania were. He may choose to rest several players from that match, and as ever getting the result in the first place has to be the priority. But Latvia are ranked 140th in the current FIFA rankings while England are ranked 4th, and a 4-0 win absolutely shouldn’t be beyond the home side, and it could be more.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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The England job, often described as the most scrutinised role in the sport, is a melting pot where tactical execution, public expectation, and national identity collide. For Thomas Tuchel, a German coach familiar with English football and its fans, this isn’t just about qualifying for the 2026 World Cup. It’s about redefining what England stands for on the global stage.
Managing England isn’t like managing a club. It’s not just about winning games or lifting trophies; it’s about embodying the hopes and frustrations of an entire nation. The England manager becomes a cultural figurehead, a lightning rod for debate, and sometimes even a scapegoat for broader societal tensions.
Tuchel steps into this role with an impressive CV, a Champions League winner with Chelsea and a serial title contender and winner across Europe, but no amount of club success can fully prepare someone for the unique pressures of international football. Unlike at the club level, where managers have daily access to their players and can shape them through constant training, international managers work with limited time and resources. They must build cohesion in weeks rather than months and make high-stakes decisions with far less room for error. For Tuchel, who thrives on precision and control, this will be an adjustment.
Tuchel’s record with most recent clubs
England’s relationship with its national team is complicated. The country that gave football to the world has spent nearly six decades chasing the ghost of 1966, its lone World Cup triumph. Every manager since Sir Alf Ramsey has been measured against that golden standard and everyone has fallen short.
Tuchel inherits a team that has made significant strides under Gareth Southgate, semi-finalists at the 2018 World Cup, and finalists at Euro 2020 and 2024, but one that still hasn’t crossed the finish line. Southgate succeeded in healing divisions within the squad and reconnecting the team with its fans, but critics argue he lacked the tactical edge to turn promise into silverware. Tuchel’s challenge is to build on Southgate’s cultural progress while addressing those lingering shortcomings.
England is unique in its blend of hope and cynicism when it comes to football. On one hand, there’s an enduring belief that this team should be winning trophies; after all, it boasts some of the best players in the world and is home to what most consider the best league in the world. On the other hand, decades of disappointment have bred a deep scepticism among fans and pundits alike.
Tuchel enters this paradox as both an outsider and an insider. As a foreign coach, he brings fresh perspectives unburdened by English football’s historical baggage. But having managed Chelsea, a club deeply embedded in English football culture, he also understands the unique pressures of working in this environment.
England recent ranking history
One of Tuchel’s greatest challenges will be navigating England’s complex football culture, a mix of tradition and modernity, nostalgia and ambition. The English game has long been defined by its physicality and directness, but recent years have seen a shift towards more technical, possession-based styles inspired by continental influences.
Tuchel represents this evolution while also challenging it. His methods are rooted in German efficiency and innovation, qualities that could help England overcome its historical tendency to lose composure when it matters, but he’ll need to balance these with an understanding of what makes English football unique.
This cultural balancing act extends beyond tactics to issues like media relations and public perception. The England manager isn’t just judged by results on the pitch; they’re also scrutinised for their personality, communication style, and ability to handle controversy. Tuchel’s sometimes direct demeanour worked at Chelsea because results spoke louder than words, but at England, where every press conference becomes front-page news, he might need a more refined approach.
Perhaps Tuchel’s most important task will be maintaining the unity of not just his squad but also its connection to the fans, a relationship that felt fractured before Southgate’s arrival. Football has always been more than just a game in England; it’s a reflection of national identity, a source of pride and belonging, but also a battleground for societal tensions. The England team often finds itself at the centre of cultural conversations that go far beyond sport.
England’s next five matches, starting tonight
Tuchel has shown himself to be socially conscious in his previous roles, speaking out on issues like mental health and inclusion, but leading England requires more than statements or gestures. It requires fostering an environment where players feel empowered to represent their country both on and off the pitch while navigating the inevitable backlash if things don’t go to plan
For too long, English football has been stuck between two worlds: one foot in its past, another tentatively stepping into an uncertain future. With so many heartbreaks over the years, underperformance, and recent near misses, Tuchel now has the opportunity, and perhaps the responsibility, to bring a trophy to English football fans and mend some of those scars.
The time has finally come. Thomas Tuchel is set to take charge of his first game as England manager. He has one mission, win a World Cup, and the journey begins with a qualifier against Albania on Friday.
Lee Carsley, who has returned to the Under-21s, was at the helm last time the Three Lions took the field, beating the Republic of Ireland 5-0 in the UEFA Nations league, the country he represented as a player.
Albania, on the other hand, have just one win in their last five games, a 1-0 victory over Georgia, but Thomas Tuchel’s side shouldn’t underestimate the plucky Balkans.
What a week for Dan Burn
Fresh off the back of helping Newcastle beat Arne Slot’s Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, ending the club’s massive 70-year trophy drought, the 32-year-old is in line to make his England debut this international break.
Tuchel has been full of praise for the centre-back, lauding his leadership, and Burn himself is determined to make an impression, asserting that he isn’t with the side to “be a cheerleader.”
The heart of defence is one of the few positions England don’t really have a wealth of options in, but even then, Burn’s call-up came as somewhat of a surprise, especially considering Jarrad Branthwaite, who is largely considered the future in that position, was fit and available.
Tuchel isn’t there for a long time though, and Burn can definitely leave a mark.
A fine-tuned Albanian engine
Albania have a number of fairly young players that can do some serious damage to this England side, but few are quite as qualified as Inter Milan midfielder Kristjan Asllani, the engine of Sylvinho’s side.
Consistent playing time has been hard to come by in Italy, Asllani has started just six of his Serie A games, yielding a total of 599 minutes in the league. Of course, he has to compete with Nicolo Barella, and any CM in the world would find that hard.
The shackles are off when he’s with the national team, starring in Albania’s last two games against Ukraine and Czechia, even if they didn’t win. England are a different beast, but that should light a fire under him.
Hendo back in the fold
Jordan Henderson’s recall appears to be another indicator of Tuchel’s impermanence and priorities, focussing on the here and now rather than building a squad for the future. It’s not entirely different from Gareth Southgate’s approach, but completely different from Carsley’s.
The decision certainly raised some eyebrows, especially considering Henderson hasn’t exactly been a fixture for his Ajax side. To be fair to him, that’s likely due to his age rather than his ability.
The 34-year-old’s leadership was cited as the reason he was picked ahead of the likes of Adam Wharton. It’s the type of decision England fans and players are going to have to get used to. Tuchel is here for a good time not a long time.
Armando Broja’s much-needed getaway
It’s been a season to forget for the on-loan Chelsea forward. Injuries and his general fitness have been ongoing issues during his season at Everton, and in the few opportunities he’s had, he hasn’t exactly impressed.
The striker hasn’t scored a goal since 2023-24, the winner in Chelsea’s 1-0 FA Cup win over Preston. His stock is plummeting thanks to disastrous loans at Fulham and now Everton.
International football has always been a chance for players to get away, find themselves, and re-adjust. Much like a recently divorced woman who decides to travel to Asia. Broja will be hoping to channel his inner Julia Robers in Eat, Pray, Love.
England’s last meeting with Albania, 2022 World Cup qualifying
Prediction
Tuchel is a smart bloke, he will be looking at this game pragmatically, much like when he took over at Chelsea, he’s still figuring out what tools he’s got to work with. We’re going to go with a 2-0 England win.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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