There are stars to watch out for on both sides in this Florida derby, even if the MLS main attraction might be missing.
Messi injury status
Inter Miami managed to get the result they needed to remain in the Leagues Cup, defeating Pumas UNAM 3-1 to progress to the knockout rounds which begin later in the month.
Messi remains out for the game against Orlando, but that win against Pumas gives the team encouragement that they can win without their main star.
The addition of De Paul to the ranks helps. He brings the teamwork and experience that Messi himself values so much, and can now rub off on the rest of the team.
Telasco and Tadeo’s time to step up (again)
All season, Telasco Segovia and Tadeo Allende have felt like key players in this Inter Miami team.
It’s OK having several star names, but the key to truly being successful is complementing that individual greatness with a functioning team and players being the big names.
Other parts of the recruitment model for MLS teams should be finding younger players to develop and prime-age players to fit in the middle.
The profile of 22-year-old Segovia makes him the replacement for Diego Gómez, who joined Brighton in January, while at the age of 26, Allende should be at his peak and playing his best football.
Both have contributed this season and are the second-highest scorers at the club, behind Messi on seven goals apiece in MLS.
It is they, alongside the additional guidance from De Paul, who will need to step up in Messi’s absence and match Orlando’s attacking stars.
Opposition watch: Orlando City
Orlando also progressed to the knockout rounds of the Leagues Cup, joining Inter Miami in the quarterfinals alongside Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy from the MLS side of the draw.
Óscar Pareja’s side have been one of the best teams in MLS this season when it comes to creating chances in attack, and are the second-highest scorers in the Eastern Conference with 46 (behind Miami’s 49)
They are second in the league for expected goals with 44.2 and also second for the number of big chances created, with 78, behind the San Jose Earthquakes on both counts.
Orlando have also missed the most big chances in the league with 54, which suggests they have even more goals in them than the 46 they have scored.
Martín Ojeda has been the standout player for Orlando this season and is one to look out for. He has been ably supported by Marco Pašalić and experienced Colombian forward Luis Muriel.
Prediction
Orlando City’s attack will be too much for Inter Miami’s defence, but it has the potential to be yet another high-scoring game.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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After a landmark 2024/25 campaign for Crystal Palace and Liverpool, Sunday’s Community Shield is an opportunity for both teams to make an early statement.
For Liverpool, the sight of Arne Slot and his players lifting another piece of silverware could hint at another dominant season to come. The Reds strolled to the Premier League title term and have made a number of blockbuster additions over the summer to, in theory, grow even stronger.
Crystal Palace’s summer has been challenging with the Selhurst Park club demoted to the Conference League. The Eagles have also struggled to recruit in the way that was surely hoped for with Borna Sosa the only notable addition.
Liverpool are firm favourites to win at Wembley on Sunday, but Palace have demonstrated their capacity for upsetting the odds against an elite opponent at the national stadium once before.
The last five meetings between these two
Key players
Palace’s defence won them the FA Cup final against Manchester City last season and the likes of Dean Henderson, Marc Guéhi, Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards must find top form to keep Liverpool at arm’s length on Sunday.
Eberechi Eze has been the subject of speculation linking him with Arsenal this summer, but is expected to start for Palace. His dribbling and creativity will be a threat to the Liverpool backline with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s physicality another danger.
Mohamed Salah netted an incredible 29 league goals for Liverpool last season and after penning a new two-year deal to stay at Anfield the Egyptian winger remains the Reds’ greatest threat in the final third.
Premier League top scorers, 2024/25
Florian Wirtz has been signed to play as Liverpool’s new number 10. The German could operate in behind another summer signing, Hugo Ekitike. The young Frenchman is quick, skilful and will give Liverpool a different dimension in and around the box.
Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucouré are long-term absentees for Crystal Palace while Eddie Nketiah will be missing for up to six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury in a pre-season match.
Matheus Franca is also an injury doubt. Otherwise, Oliver Glasner has a fully fit and available squad to choose from.
Van Dijk, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez will all be assessed before the match for various reasons, but stand a good chance of being cleared to feature. Liverpool’s injury list is generally clear ahead of the start of the season.
Slot faces a number of selection decisions across the pitch. Should Giorgi Mamardashvili start over Alisson Becker having impressed in pre-season? Is Kerkez a better bet at left back than Andy Robertson?
Where does Wirtz fit into the midfield and which deep-lying player should be sacrificed? How will Ekitike be deployed in the attack? These are things Slot will have to consider.
Prediction
Glasner’s team know how to defend and Liverpool may take some time to bed in their shiny new signings but the Reds should have enough attacking options to make the difference: Crystal Palace 1-2 Liverpool
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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There’s something ‘real’ about football in the Championship. The passion, the huge crowds, and all that rich history, but without the lick and polish that comes with the Premier League. Instead, the edges are frayed. Scratch the surface and finances are precarious. But even when clubs turn up with their own documentary crews, there is nothing ‘reality tv’ about life in the second tier.
Premier League’s relegated three
The gap to the Premier League can be a chasm, and logic dictates that the three who went down will bounce back up.
Southampton have 32-year-old Will Still (pictured) now at the helm. From playing Football Manager as a teenager to becoming the youngest boss across Europe’s top five leagues when he took over at Reims, it’s been a hell of a ride. An immediate 17-game unbeaten run elevated his profile whilst he still completed his coaching badges, and his reputation has only grown from his last role at Lens. The Belgian-born Englishman arrives as an ‘unknown’ having never managed in England. But we said the same about Régis Le Bris who’s busy preparing Sunderland for the Premier League.
Will Still’s career win percentages
On the pitch Southampton were abysmal last season. Still has to turn around a group that are used to losing. Again they start the season with goalkeeping issues with Aaron Ramsdale joining Newcastle and Gavin Bazunu returning from serious injury. Cashing in on Tyler Dibling seems inevitable but keeping Shea Charles in the middle will be vital.
Leicester have the core attackers that helped them win the league under Enzo Maresca two seasons ago. Abdul Fatawu’s class is undiminished, as shown with his wonderful friendly goal against Fiorentina. With Bilal El Khannouss and Stephy Mavididi, that’s an attacking trio that can tear any side in this division apart. Martí Cifuentes has put down his trowel to take over at Leicester. After saving and stabilising QPR, his time at the club ended with gardening leave. However, a points deduction for alleged EFL rule breaches does hang over the club. Leicester supporters continue to be unhappy with what they see as an apathetic approach from the owners and the appointment and bungled dismissal of Ruud van Nistelrooy shows that, off the pitch at least, they’re lacking direction and clear strategy.
Kieran McKenna remains at Ipswich and they are the best placed of last season’s relegated sides. They’ve lost big Liam Delap but tied down the even bigger George Hirst. Having spent over £130m last campaign, they made a poor fist of their Premier League foray but given that was after incredible back-to-back promotions from League One, they are in a stronger position now than two years ago. Azor Matusiwa has been their main transfer outlay. Being in the 95th percentile with his duels won last season in Ligue 1 with Rennes shows you that they’ve got a combative player ready to fill the boots of the departed Samy Morsy.
Azor Matusiwa’s defensive numbers in Ligue 1, 2024/25
Coventry to climb?
I’m backing Coventry City. Under Frank Lampard they were superb last season and they have kept the team together. Kaine Kesler-Hayden excelled in a very poor Preston side and arrives from Aston Villa. He can countenance the departure of Milan van Ewijk, if that happens.
Jack Rudoni has become the ‘manager’s son’ as one of Lampard’s favourite pupils but his performances at the back end of the season were stellar. His return of 12 assists and 9 goals, including dislocating his shoulder to score against Oxford, shows the 24-year-old can be counted upon. The players have a chastening play-off semi-final exit to Sheffield United to spur them on this campaign.
As for the Blades, Rubén Sellés is now in charge after Sheffield United’s play-off final heartbreak. I think it will take time for the players to adapt to his methods after working under Chris Wilder for so long though. The Spaniard was ditched by Hull City after less than six months on Humberside, despite previously working wonders at besieged Reading.
Goalkeeper Michael Cooper is the best in the division – his save map alone can show you that.
Michael Cooper save map, Championship 2024/25
The mercurial Louie Barry arrives on loan from Aston Villa. Injury ended his spell with Sellés at Hull but his outstanding efforts at Stockport County left him as one of League One’s players of the season, despite leaving in January.
For Birmingham, the further Tom Brady is away from the dugout, the better. Talented head coach Chris Davies can do his own motivational seminars and the ownership group have continued to back him. I’m looking forward to seeing Kyogo Furihashi in the flesh. Celtic’s key man left for Rennes mid-season before a management-change saw him frozen out and thoroughly miserable. Now the Japan international can link up with compatriots Tomoki Iwata and new boy Kanya Fujimoto and get his chance to shine. Added to that, Tommy Doyle impressed at Wolves and arrives on loan, as does goalkeeper James Beadle from Brighton, fresh from winning the U21 Euros with England. The bookmakers are backing the Blues to go up again, even if the Opta super computer is not – read those always interesting data-backed predictions here.
Relegation a foregone conclusion for Wednesday?
Sheffield Wednesday are in a mess. Staff and players are being paid late, and half the squad has left. Their 9,000 capacity North Stand has been shut down by the local council for being unsafe. Owner Dejphon Chanshiri has seemingly pulled the financial plug and is prevaricating on any potential sale. Danny Röhl has called time and been replaced by his assistant Henrik Pedersen. Only captain Barry Bannan, at the behest of his distraught daughter, has committed to the club. The spectre of one of our great football institutions going to the wall looms large.
Hull City have another new boss in Sergej Jakirović, but it is owner Acun Ilıcalı who has caused the biggest issues for the Tigers. Thanks to a late loan payment for Louie Barry, they’re under an embargo and unable to pay for any players. Surviving on goal difference after finishing seventh the season before, the broadcaster and entrepreneur touted as Türkiye’s Simon Cowell isn’t getting a ‘yes’ from me.
Oxford United will be mentioned in relegation conversations as a club with one of the smallest budgets in the division, but Gary Rowett will keep them solid. I predicted Preston for the drop last season and their biggest refresh has been bringing in social media stars and lifelong fans ‘Spud Bros’ as their sponsors. Having met them over the summer and asked them ‘what makes a good potato’ live on TV, there is a buzz and some much-needed positivity at PNE. I think that third spot will be a club that will find itself in a fight almost by accident, Preston will be hoping it isn’t them again this season.
Watford could do anything. Norwich with local lad Liam Manning are a wildcard, Ryan Mason has his chance at West Brom and Nathan Jones at least has his Charlton players singing from his hymn book.
There’s no Tunnel Club, the paint is peeling and if you have a pie that’s cooked all the way through then you’re onto a winner, but on the pitch there’s plenty to look forward to from the Championship this season.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Inter Miami go into their final game of the Leagues Cup group stage, against Pumas UNAM, still in with a chance of qualifying for the tournament’s knockout stages.
Lionel Messi is currently an injury doubt and is being assessed on a game-by-game basis, leaving some doubts as to whether Javier Mascherano’s side can get the win they need to progress.
Messi injury update
Inter Miami confirmed that Messi picked up a “minor muscle injury” in the game against Necaxa, which saw him subbed off with just over ten minutes played.
“Yes, I spoke to him. The club issued a statement, and it’s [only] a slight injury, so within the bad news, it’s good news,” said Mascherano.
“We don’t like to estimate a return, especially in Leo’s case. He usually recovers very well from injuries and normally does so quickly.
“Clearly, for tomorrow, he is unavailable, but then we will see how he feels and how he progresses.”
Messi’s injury status can potentially have a big effect on ticket sales in the Leagues Cup and MLS, so the club will not want to rule him out for more than one game at a time, but he will definitely miss this game against Pumas.
Messi has missed four MLS games this season and his club have won two, drawn one, and lost one of those.
Opposition watch: Pumas UNAM
Pumas’ star goalkeeper Keylor Navas is suspended, having been sent off for denying a goal-scoring opportunity in the 95th minute against Atlanta United in the previous game.
The status of both players leaves the game without the eagerly anticipated face-off between Messi and Navas.
Pumas still won that game 3-2 and won their opener on penalties against Orlando City, leaving them in a similar position to Inter Miami, and still in with a chance of qualifying from the Liga MX side of the league phase.
The Liga MX outfit will still be able to call upon former Houston Dynamo midfielder and Panama international star Adalberto Carrasquilla.
The midfielder has scored three goals in the two matches Pumas have played in this tournament so far, including the all-important late winner against Atlanta, while striker Guillermo Martínez will be looking to get off the mark in this key matchup.
Inter Miami can still qualify
So far in this tournament, Inter Miami have one win on penalties and another in regular time. Penalty wins accrue two points, leaving them on five points with a game to play.
This means that Inter Miami will qualify for the next round with a win in regular time, but if the game goes to penalties, regardless of the outcome of the shootout, other MLS teams will have a good chance of getting in ahead of them.
With Pumas being in an almost identical situation, this game is a must-win for both, and Inter Miami will need to get the job done against Mexican opposition without Messi, which they were unable to do in the last game.
Current top six in the MLS group: after three rounds the top four progress to the knockout stages
Prediction
It will be a competitive game with both teams looking to win and progress, and could result in a narrow defeat for a Messi-less Miami despite home advantage.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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Lionel Messi has already had a standout moment in the competition, as his side will now be looking for an improvement on their opening match against Atlas.
Messi instrumental again
Inter Miami were seconds away from a disappointing draw in their first fixture of this tournament, which pits MLS sides against those from Mexico’s Liga MX.
The score in the game against Atlas was tied at 1-1, and the clock was counting down into the sixth minute of a minimum of five to be added on.
Up stepped Messi, not with a goal, but with an assist and an instrumental part in the move that brought the dramatic late winner scored by his compatriot Marcelo Weigandt.
It’s a knockout tournament, with a trophy on the line, and Messi turned on the style in a key moment.
The team can now also call upon Rodrigo De Paul, the new signing, whose paperwork was sorted in time for him to debut against Atlas.
Leagues taking shape
As only four of 18 teams will progress to the knockout rounds from each league, wins are vital at this stage, and even winning each of the three league phase matches might not guarantee progress.
Goal difference is likely to play a part once each team have played their three league phase matches, and one goal wins might not be enough.
Inter Miami, like all the teams in this tournament, will likely need more than narrow wins if they’re to progress, and they’ll be aiming to be more convincing in the remaining two games than they were against Atlas.
The Leagues Cup can be seen as assessing the relative strength of each league, pitting two against each other as well as individual clubs.
At the time of writing, MLS has the edge, having won ten to Liga MX’s eight, with six draws.
Seattle Sounders’ 7-0 win against current Concacaf Champions Cup holders Cruz Azul was an especially notable statement victory.
Inter Miami now needs one of its own against Necaxa.
Opposition watch: Necaxa
Necaxa scored the second-most goals in last season’s Liga MX Clausura league stage, but also conceded more than their fair share.
They come into this game on the back of scoring three against Atlanta United in a 3-1 win in the opening game of their Leagues Cup campaign, and will be among the Mexican sides looking to build on a good early win.
Their attack of Pavel Pérez and Diber Cambindo, supported by midfielder Agustín Palavecino, can score against anyone, and they’ll fancy their chances against Inter Miami’s defence.
Prediction
Miami will be looking to rack up the goals, but there could be plenty for both teams. That said, you’d still fancy Inter Miami with Messi and the introduction of De Paul to get the win at home.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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The 2025 edition of the Leagues Cup, a mid-season tournament that pits teams from Major League Soccer against their Liga MX counterparts, kicks off this week.
Lionel Messi has returned from his one-game suspension for missing the All-Star game and his Inter Miami team will face Mexican side Atlas in their opening game, looking to relive their 2023 success in this tournament.
Messi’s chance at another trophy
Though Inter Miami failed to win the MLS Cup in Messi’s first full season in 2024, they had won the inaugural edition of the expanded Leagues Cup in 2023, just after Messi arrived.
It was seen as a sign of things to come and the beginning of Inter Miami’s dominance of North American soccer, but though they did win the MLS Supporters’ Shield for topping the overall standings in 2024, they are yet to follow-up that 2023 Leagues Cup triumph in other cup competitions.
This tournament offers a chance for Inter Miami to get back in the hunt for trophies and meet the levels expected of them since Messi joined.
The arrival at Miami of Messi’s buddy Rodrigo De Paul from Atlético Madrid should help, and he’s expected to appear at some point during this tournament.
New Leagues Cup format
The Leagues Cup (which you can follow in the app – here) has changed format once again, and rather than involving all 30 teams from MLS, only includes 18 to match the number of teams from Liga MX.
MLS versus Liga MX games have understandably been the most intriguing matchups in previous editions of this tournament, and the big advantage of the new format is that it guarantees such matches throughout the league stage and in the quarterfinals.
A new league phase, not dissimilar to the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League but with two leagues rather than one, replaces the original group stage.
Though Mexican sides will face MLS sides in all league phase games, the 18 participating MLS teams will be in one league table and the 18 from Liga MX in another. The top four from each advance to the knockout stage.
When Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023, they only faced one Mexican team in the seven games they played.
This edition, therefore, should provide them with a proper test against Mexican opposition.
Opposition watch: Atlas
Atlas have begun the new Liga MX season with a win, a draw, and a defeat in the opening three games of the Apertura, taking a mixed bag of form into the Leagues Cup.
They were knocked out in the last 32 by compatriots Club América last year, and lost on penalties to New England Revolution at the same stage in 2023.
Atlas attacking star Eduardo Aguirre has started the new Mexican season with a goal and an assist in the three games they have played, while 22-year-old Paraguayan Diego González looks set to contribute more regularly this season.
Montenegro international forward Uroš Đurđević will be looking to get in the goals, and their back line features the one-time Brazilian wonderkid, Dória, the left-footed centre-back who is now aged 30.
Prediction
An early tournament statement win for Messi and Miami.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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Hoping to retain their title, England have reached three consecutive European Championship and World Cup finals since 2022. Sarina Wiegman has successfully navigated her way to five – including 2017 and 2019 with the Netherlands.
4-0 and 6-1 wins over the Dutch and Wales in the group stage were impressive, but France and Sweden highlighted vulnerabilities with intense pressing, while Italy’s low block was seconds away from getting the job done in the last four. The Lionesses still deserve enormous credit for refusing to give up at any point, launching late comebacks in each of the last two rounds.
Spain’s road to Basel
Spain are looking to become the first country to simultaneously hold the World Cup and European Championship trophies since Germany kept the pair locked away between 2003 and 2011. La Roja have never won the Euros and this is their first final in the competition.
They navigated the group stage with relative ease, scoring five against Portugal, six against Belgium and three against Italy. Switzerland frustrated them until midway through the second half in the quarter-finals, before succumbing to a 2-0 score-line, while Aitana Bonmatí’s 113th minute strike was the sole difference against Germany in the last four.
Head-to-head
Spain won the previous encounter that matters most, 1-0 in the World Cup final two summers ago, but England are no strangers to beating them – Jess Park scored the only goal of a Nations League win at Wembley in February of this year. Spain were victorious in a meeting in Barcelona as recently as June, 2-1, although the Lionesses scored first then.
The final will be a milestone 20th game between the countries. England have won eight of the previous 19 – including the quarter-final at Euro 2022, compared to Spain’s five.
The most recent competitive meetings
Team news
England medical staff have been monitoring Lauren James since an ankle injury forced her out of the semi-final at half-time. If the Chelsea forward isn’t fit enough to start, Beth Mead, who replaced her against Italy, or Chloe Kelly, who has made transformative impacts off the bench at this tournament, are the most likely options to come into the lineup on the right flank.
Spain centre-back Laia Aleixandri was suspended for the semi-final and is expected to return in place of María Méndez, who filled in against Germany. Coach Montse Tomé had a more fluid selection during the group stage, but Aleixandri’s enforced absence last time out was the only change from the quarter-final against Switzerland.
Prediction
After 30 games over the last four weeks, it all comes down to this.
Spain and England have been the two best teams at this tournament, but in very different ways. La Roja have been technically superior to everyone, while the Lionesses never know they’re beaten.
Spain have won 10 straight games since England beat them in February, in front of a Wembley crowd, and it will take a huge performance to halt that kind of momentum against a side expected to dominate the ball and play the final on their terms.
If Wiegman’s team can keep things tight and frustrate Spain, which hasn’t been their forte, there is a chance. Otherwise, there could be more English heartbreak and more Spanish delight after an international final. England 1-2 Spain (aet).
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Ahead of this latest encounter back in Florida, there was uncertainty and controversy surround Lionel Messi’s availability following his no show at the MLS All Star game.
Lionel Messi All-Star saga
Messi was called up for the MLS All-Star team which faced off against counterparts from Mexico’s Liga MX in Austin, Texas, last weekend, but the Inter Miami star and reigning MLS MVP failed to show.
MLS rules state that any players called up for the All-Star game who then don’t show up will miss the next league game as a punishment.
This rule obviously doesn’t apply if the player in question is injured, but Messi played the full 90 minutes in Inter Miami’s last league game, against New York Red Bulls, and there has been no indication that he is carrying a knock.
Head coach Javier Mascherano said fatigue was the reason for Messi missing out on the All Star game, and MLS decided on Friday that Messi, and Jordi Alba, who was also absent having been selected, will indeed be suspended against Cincinnati.
Messi’s absence from the All-Star game was controversial in itself and led to questions being asked about the existence of such a mid-season exhibition match in the first place.
A one-game suspension for Messi seems far from ideal for MLS, but had he played in the All Star game and picked up an injury, it might have been much worse for the league.
Miami seek revenge
When these two teams met just over a week ago in Cincinnati, the home side inflicted Inter Miami’s only MLS defeat in their last eight games.
A convincing defeat it was too. As well as the three goals they scored, Cincy kept Inter Miami scoreless for only the third time in the 2025 MLS season.
Messi and co. bounced back with a 5-1 win against New York Red Bulls last weekend, and will now be looking to carry this momentum into this weekend and get revenge on the Ohio club.
Familiar threats
Evander’s two second-half goals in the recent meeting between these two turned Cincinnati’s win into a resounding victory.
The Brazilian, signed from Portland Timbers for an intra-league transfer record ahead of this season, is one of the players challenging Messi for the title of 2025 MLS MVP.
Evander’s season summary to date
Standout performances in games against Messi’s club do his chances of competing for that individual honour no harm at all, and he’ll be looking to put on another show in Fort Lauderdale on Saturday night.
Unlike Messi, though, Evander played in the All Star game, so despite having dealt with the travel to Auston and back, plus a 45 minute stint the game itself, will at least be available for the game against Inter Miami.
Prediction
With Messi, Inter Miami would have been favourites, but without him home advantage might be enough to get them a draw.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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An England side that performs better than anyone else at major tournaments is seeking to make it to a third successive final at the Euros and World Cup. For Italy, this opportunity to reach another major final has been 28 years in the making.
The Lionesses have looked beaten a couple of times already, humbled by France in the group stage and then finding themselves 2-0 down in the quarter-final against Sweden until the final 12 minutes. But big wins over the Netherlands and Wales, and a chaotic last eight comeback, demonstrated an uncanny ability to get the job done when it matters most.
Italy followed Spain out of Group B, beating Belgium and drawing with Portugal either side of a loss against the reigning world champions. A 90th minute quarter-final winner against Norway, having earlier been ahead, resulted in a first semi-final appearance since Euro 1997.
Head-to-head
England thrashed Italy 5-1 in a 2024 friendly and secured a 2-1 win in the 2023 Arnold Clark Cup. Due to a dominant edge in the 1990s, when England didn’t record a single win against Le Azzurre, Italy lead the overall head-to-head record, victorious in 14 of 32 prior meetings, compared to England’s 12. But Italy haven’t beaten England since 2012.
Italy’s former glories
Italy were one of the early powerhouses of women’s international football, contesting each of the first five European Championships when it was just a four-team tournament. They were runners-up to Norway in 1993 and again reached the final in 1997 when the competition was first expanded to eight teams. But then came a slump that they have never fully emerged from.
Italy’s predicted line up has an average age of 29.3 years old
The great hope is that after a surprising run to the World Cup quarter-finals in 2019 but group stage exits at the Euros in 2017, 2022 and the World Cup in 2023, this summer could be more of a permanent catalyst. The other side of that coin is plenty of experience will soon be lost, with seven of the 23 players selected this summer aged 31 or older.
‘Proper England’
It’s been the buzz phrase around the squad since the opening defeat to France, coined by Georgia Stanway, who was one of many that were subpar in that first game. When ‘Proper England’ show up, as the Netherlands, Wales and, eventually, Sweden, found out, they are among the very best around.
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, player of the match against Sweden, puts it down to “English blood”, the attitude that it’s never over until it’s over.
England’s top five rated players at the tournament
Team news
England were sweating on the fitness of captain Leah Williamson after rolling her ankle the quarter-final, but the Arsenal defender trained on Monday along with all 22 other players in the squad.
Italy midfielders Arianna Caruso and Manuela Giugliano were working in the gym to overcome fitness issues on Monday and could remain doubts. Veteran forward Cristiana Girelli has scored three of Italy’s five goals at the tournament, including both against Norway last time out.
Prediction
England’s quarter-final against Sweden was the tougher task, which bodes well for the Lionesses, especially after the nature of that game. What works in Italy’s favour is a day’s extra rest and preparation time, but that doesn’t feel like enough to make a decisive difference. England 3-1 Italy.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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Inter Miami’s packed schedule of matches continues with their ninth game in little over a month, as they travel to New Jersey to face the New York Red Bulls.
They’ll be looking to get back to winning ways after a heavy defeat in midweek, but could face a tough test at the Sports Illustrated Arena.
A bump in the road to recovery
Inter Miami come into this game on the back of a first league defeat in seven games. A game which also ended a five-game winning streak.
It was a battle between two of the best players in the league, Lionel Messi and Evander, which was won by the latter as Cincinnati emerged as 3-0 winners at home, with Evander scoring twice.
It was the first Inter Miami MLS game in seven to not feature goals for both teams, and only the third MLS game this season in which Inter Miami have failed to score.
It dented their quest to catch the teams at the top of the table, especially as league leaders Philadelphia Union scraped a win against Montréal.
Miami remain eight points off the top with three games in hand, so despite this hiccup, they could still overtake these teams if they win all of those games.
Will Messi play?
Messi is a doubt for the game against the Red Bulls, with head coach Javier Mascherano commenting that they will decide after training on Friday whether he will be fit to play on Saturday night.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if they left it until the day of the game itself to decide whether Messi can play, such is his importance to the team.
If he does miss out, it will be interesting to see how the team performs in his absence, given he’s scored 11 goals in their last seven games.
One player who will definitely be missing is goalkeeper Oscar Ustari. Mascherano has indicated that Rocco Ríos Novo will take his place.
Red Bulls recovery
Assessments of the Red Bulls this season will depend on how convincing they are in qualifying for the post-season from here on in, and the post-season itself.
So far, they’ve been hit and miss, epitomised by their previous game, against New England Revolution, in which they were behind 2-0 at half time after a poor showing, and then played some good stuff to turn the game around dramatically and win 5-3. It was their first win in six games.
There are still signs of pressing from the Red Bulls — a franchise from whom such a style still seems to be expected.
They are third in the league for possession won in the final third per match, and second in the league for successful tackles per match behind a Philadelphia Union team who have traces of Red Bull in their own tactics.
Summer signing Eric-Maxim Choupo-Moting is already in double figures for the season with 13 goals, while Emil Forsberg still has the potential to be a game’s star player.
Prediction
If Messi plays, Inter Miami win. If he doesn’t, the Red Bulls have a chance, but a draw might be on the cards.
(Cover Image from IMAGO)
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