EPL PREVIEW

London, Aug 28: A 15-year-old still on summer vacation from school won a penalty for Arsenal on his Premier League debut. A 16-year-old scored a last-gasp winner for Liverpool in his first match in the top division.
Kids are being given a chance by England’s top teams at the start of this season – and they are making the most of the opportunity.
Now Max Dowman and Rio Ngumoha might be going head-to-head in the biggest match so far in the Premier League.
The highlight of the third round of games this weekend sees Arsenal travel to Liverpool on Sunday for a meeting between two teams who are on a maximum six points and are likely to be battling for the title.
What also links the two powerhouse teams is their trust in young talent.
At 15 years and 235 days, Dowman became the second-youngest player to feature in the Premier League when he entered as a substitute for Arsenal in a 5-0 win over Leeds on Saturday. He showed excellent technical skills and dribbling ability, earning a late penalty that was converted for the final goal.
Four days before his 17th birthday, Ngumoha made his senior Liverpool debut when coming on as a late substitute at Newcastle on Monday and secured a 3-2 win in dramatic style by scoring off one of the last kicks of the game.
Both teenagers are likely to be on the bench again at Anfield but don’t be surprised if their managers turn to them late in a game that will see at least one 100% record disappear.

Key matchups

Tottenham is the only other team to have won both its opening two games and next hosts Bournemouth on Saturday. Spurs are yet to concede a goal in a clear change of emphasis under new manager Thomas Frank, who is more defensively minded than predecessor Ange Postecoglou.
Manchester City is looking to bounce back from a 2-0 home loss to Tottenham when visiting Brighton on Sunday.
There are already two clubs close to crisis not even three weeks into the season.
Manchester United hosts Burnley on Saturday, three days after a humiliating exit in the English League Cup at the hands of fourth-tier Grimsby Town.
Then there’s West Ham, which conceded a total of eight goals in defeats to Sunderland and Chelsea and also has been eliminated from the League Cup – on a night when captain Jarrod Bowen tried to confront his own fans. Next up is a trip to Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Players to watch

Eberechi Eze was introduced as Arsenal’s latest signing at the weekend and the England forward is in line to make his debut in the toughest possible environment – at Anfield.
Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike is more sure to start and has scored in each of his first three games for the club – in the Community Shield and in league wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle.
There will be pressure on newly signed Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford during the match against Brighton following his shaky display against Tottenham, including being at fault for the second goal because of a poor pass. Trafford has replaced Ederson as the starting keeper but certainly isn’t as adept with the ball at his feet.

Out of action

Bukayo Saka is likely to be missing for Arsenal at Liverpool after sustaining a hamstring injury against Leeds. The BBC has reported the England winger will be out for up to four weeks, potentially ruling him out of the upcoming international break.
Another England international struggling with an injury is Cole Palmer, who missed Chelsea’s 5-1 win at West Ham on Friday because of a groin injury. Palmer didn’t train early this week.
Newcastle heads into a match at Leeds on Saturday with some problems after a bruising loss to Liverpool on Monday when midfielders Sandro Tonali and Joelinton went off with injuries described by manager Eddie Howe as “quite threatening to us.” Anthony Gordon, filling in as striker while Alexander Isak is unavailable, is also missing because of suspension.

Off the field

It’s the final weekend before the transfer window shuts on Monday, so there could be some interesting team selections featuring – or maybe even excluding – players linked with moves.
Isak is the obvious one. He continues to train away from the main squad at Newcastle as he seeks a transfer, potentially to Liverpool.
Yoane Wissa, a reported target of Newcastle, has yet to play for Brentford this season and has removed any association with the club on his Instagram account, though has returned to training.
Will he feature against Sunderland on Saturday? Watch out, too, for any developments at Nottingham Forest, whose manager Nuno Espirito Santo went public last week in detailing a deterioration in his relationship with owner Evangelos Marinakis. How will Forest fans welcome Nuno at the home match against West Ham? (AP)

Grimsby, Aug 28: Manchester United sank to a new low under Ruben Amorim by getting eliminated by fourth-tier Grimsby Town after a marathon penalty shootout in the second round of the English League Cup.
Grimsby won 12-11 on spot-kicks at 9,000-capacity Blundell Park on England’s east coast, with Bryan Mbeumo missing the decisive penalty. United needed late goals by Mbeumo and Harry Maguire just to salvage a 2-2 draw in regulation, having trailed 2-0 at halftime on Wednesday.
It will go down as one of the most embarrassing results in United’s history and leaves the team winless in three games so far this campaign, after a woeful 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season.
Grimsby’s jubilant fans stormed onto the field to celebrate with the players after Mbeumo’s spot kick rebounded off the crossbar to seal United’s fate.
“It’s an amazing feeling, one that will live on forever,” said Grimsby’s Charles Vernam, who scored one of the team’s goals.
Grimsby is currently fourth in League Two, and finished the match with a lineup containing several academy graduates and a Faeroe Islands international.United, meanwhile, had 200 million pounds ($270 million) worth of new signings just in its attack in Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko. Cunha also failed in the shootout by having his weak attempt saved and Sesko took United’s 10th penalty – only ahead of goalkeeper Andre Onana.
After Onana and Grimsby goalkeeper Christy Pym converted their penalties, the shootout reverted to the outfield players once again. Bruno Fernandes scored his for United, but Mbeumo couldn’t.“Going into the penalty shootout, the gaffer (manager) said to us, Lads, all the pressure is on them,’ and it was really,” Grimsby midfielder Kieran Green said.
It was a bittersweet moment for Pym, who said: “I’m a Man United fan so I’m half-fuming a little bit.”
Pressure on Amorim
The result piles more pressure on Amorim, who came into the game with 16 wins from his 44 matches in charge of United after being hired in November. He sat in the dugout during the shootout, not even watching the kicks.
A 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the opening round of the Premier League featured an encouraging performance by a new-look United team, but some worrying old habits returned when fading to a 1-1 draw at Fulham on Sunday.
The exit at Grimsby quickly brought back the gloom of last season.
“The way we started the game without any intensity, we were completely lost,” said Amorim, who apologized to United’s fans.
United was only playing in the second round – for the first time since 2014 – after failing to qualify for European competition last season. That year, the team lost 4-0 at third-tier MK Dons in the second round.

Big win for Brighton

In other results Wednesday, Brighton won 6-0 at second-tier Oxford, Everton beat third-tier Mansfield 2-0 and Fulham won 2-0 against second-tier Bristol City. (AP)

Grimsby, Aug 28: Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim said his players “spoke for me really loud” after slumping to one of the most embarrassing losses in the club’s history.
United was beaten 12-11 in a penalty shootout by Grimsby Town, a team from the fourth tier of English soccer, in the second round of the League Cup. United had trailed 2-0 before scoring two late goals to snatch a 2-2 draw and force a shootout on Wednesday.
In a dig at his own players, Amorim praised Grimsby for being “the only team that was on the pitch.” “The best players lose because a team can win against any group of players,” Amorim said, “and I think the (United) team and the players spoke really loud today, so that’s it. We lost, the best team won.” Amorim accused his team of playing “without any intensity.” “We were completely lost and it’s hard to explain and that’s why I think they spoke really loud,” he said.
Asked what he meant by that specific comment, Amorim said: “I think it was clear for everybody what happened today.” Amorim guided United to a 15th-place finish in the Premier League last season – its lowest ever in the competition – and has yet to earn a win in three games this season, after a loss to Arsenal and a draw at Fulham in the league.
“We have a game on the weekend (against Burnley) and then we have two weeks (during the international break). And we will sort things out,” Amorim said when asked where the Grimsby result left him and his team.
The shock defeat has only deepened the growing crisis at Old Trafford, with Amorim’s tenure already under severe scrutiny after a disastrous league campaign last season and a winless start to this one.
For a club of United’s stature, accustomed to success and silverware, the humiliation of being dumped out of the League Cup by a fourth-tier side will sting for weeks to come.
The manager’s blunt assessment of his players’ lack of intensity highlights the fractures within the squad, and unless a swift turnaround follows, questions over leadership, player commitment, and the very direction of the club will only grow louder. (AP)

Wolverhampton, Aug 28: Wolverhampton Wanderers have completed the loan signing of Girona defender Ladislav Krejci, who becomes the first Czech player in the club’s history.
The 26-year-old central defender, who can also play in midfield, brings experience from close to 250 career performances, and will automatically become a permanent Old Gold player until 2030, should certain clauses be triggered.
“I’m very, very excited. Even on the first day, it’s very exciting for me to see how the staff are working and everything around, the first view of the club.
It’s very beautiful, very amazing. So, I cannot wait for it,” Krejci said in a statement.
“It’s been very crazy the last few days. Also, the travelling was busy. But I believe that it’s coming to an end, it will be calmer, and I will have more time to focus on my future club.”
The 6ft 3in ball-playing defender began playing in his home nation aged 17, cutting his teeth with Zbrojovka Brno by playing more than 50 times. (IANS)

LALIGA PREVIEW

Barcelona, Aug 28: Real Madrid and Barcelona are used to luring players from other clubs.
The Spanish powerhouses face key support players possibly moving to the wealthier Premier League at the pending closure of the transfer market.
Brazil forward Rodrygo, who has scored clutch goals for Madrid to add to its Champions League title haul, is at the center of media speculation that he could be heading to Manchester City or another English club.
Chelsea is also reportedly after Barcelona midfield sparkplug Fermín López, while Marc Casadó could also be sold with Barcelona needing income.
Coach Hansi Flick has said he wants to keep both players, especially after Barcelona let starting central defender Íñigo Martínez go to Saudi Arabia. Catalan media say the club would consider an offer of only more than 60 million euros ($70 million) for Fermín if he asked to leave.The transfer window closes on Monday, just after the third round of the Spanish league this weekend.Barcelona and Madrid both seek a third win in as many games – along with Villarreal, Athletic Bilbao and surprising Getafe.
Barcelona visits Rayo Vallecano on Sunday after two away wins at Mallorca and Levante.
Will Fermín and Casadó, who made significant contributions to their domestic double last season, get minutes in the capital? Real Madrid hosts Mallorca on Saturday with Kylián Mbappé seeking to add to his three goals from their opening two wins over Osasuna and at Real Oviedo.
Xabi Alonso gave Rodrygo only his second start in eight games since he took over as Madrid’s coach this summer before the Club World Cup.Atletico Madrid is at Alaves also on Saturday. Atletico has taken only one point of six so far, making its worst start to the league in 14 seasons under coach Diego Simeone.Ferran Torres has two goals in as many games while playing as Barcelona’s central striker. Robert Lewandowski returned last round as a substitute after recovering from a thigh injury. (AP)

SERIE A PREVIEW

Rome, Aug 28: AC Milan’s problems have carried over from last season. Defending Serie A champion Napoli and 2023-24 winner Inter Milan confirmed themselves as the top contenders. Como could challenge the top teams.
Those were the verdicts from the opening round of Serie A.Here’s what to know entering the second round of the Italian league:
After losing at the San Siro to promoted Cremonese in its opener, Milan is under pressure to perform during a visit to Lecce on Friday. Returning coach Massimiliano Allegri has issues in attack with the Rossoneri so far unable to find a reliable solution at center forward amid potential deals on the transfer market that have fallen apart.
With Real Madrid product Nico Paz leading the way with a goal and an assist, Como comfortably beat Lazio in its opener. Now Como visits Bologna on Saturday to test itself against the Italian Cup champion. Coached by Cesc Fabregas, Como is owned by Indonesian tobacco billionaire brothers Roberto Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono and has spent 104 million euros ($121 million) in the current transfer market – the fifth most in the league.
Also on Saturday, Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma visits promoted Pisa, which will host a Serie A match for the first time in 34 years. The Arena Garibaldi sits practically in the shadow of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Juventus has been trying to offload Dusan Vlahovic and his 12 million euros ($14 million) salary – the highest in the league – before his contract expires after this season. Without much success, though, since Vlahovic has turned down every offer. Vlahovic scored in Juve’s opener, a 2-0 win over Parma, and if he puts in another solid performance at Genoa on Sunday, it could convince Juventus to keep him.
Inter struggled for alternatives in attack last season when Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram were unavailable.
Francesco Pio Esposito, a 20-year-old who could make his Serie A debut for Inter against Udinese on Sunday, is being touted as a future star. (AP)

Monaco, Aug 28: José Mourinho and Fenerbahce fell short of returning to the Champions League, losing 1-0 at Benfica in the qualifying playoffs.
Benfica – the first club Mourinho coached – had two goals disallowed on video review in the first half before its Turkish forward Kerem Aktürkoglu scored with a rising shot in the 35th minute for the only goal over the two legs.
Club Brugge, Copenhagen and Qarabag of Azerbaijan also advanced to complete the 36-team lineup for the league phase, with the draw being made Thursday.
Mourinho is a two-time Champions League winner but has not coached in the main stage of the marquee competition for six seasons. Fenerbahce’s absence now stretches to 17 seasons.
Brugge routed Rangers 6-0 for an aggregate score of 9-1. The Belgian side already had an early lead before Rangers defender Max Aarons was sent off in the eighth minute.
Qarabag is back in the Champions League eight years after its debut campaign, winning 5-4 on aggregate over Ferencvaros despite a 3-2 loss in Baku on Wednesday.
Copenhagen won 2-0 at home to Basel to advance 3-1 on aggregate.The draw ceremony starts 6 p.m. local time (1600 GMT) Thursday at a beachside concert hall and conference venue in Monaco.Who is in the Champions League draw? A record six teams from England are in the competition this year. More than half – 19 in total – are from the four highest-ranked countries: England, Italy, Spain and Germany.
Newcomers in the main phase are Bodo/Glimt of Norway, Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan, Pafos of Cyprus and Union Saint-Gilloise of Belgium.
The Champions League will go further north than ever before, with Bodo located inside the Arctic Circle, and further east, to Almaty, near Kazakhstan’s border with China. Pafos, the Russian-owned champion of Cyprus, was created just 11 years ago in a merger of two clubs.
Athletic Bilbao heads the teams returning after a long absence. The emblematic team from Spain’s Basque region last played in the 2014-15 group stage.
Olympiakos missed four editions and Villarreal returns after losing in the semifinals to Liverpool in 2022.
There is no team from Ukraine for first time in 20 years. In that period, Shakhtar Donetsk featured 17 times and Dynamo Kyiv 10. Russian teams are banned from all European competitions for the fourth straight season since the full military invasion of Ukraine.
Former winners
The 71st edition of the European Cup or Champions League will include 14 different former champions with a combined 50 titles, including holder Paris Saint-Germain. (AP)