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New South Wales batter Kurtis Patterson started his Ashes audition with a sterling century, but the Blues slipped to a two-wicket one-day loss to Tasmania after a record ninth-wicket stand between Bradley Hope and Matt Kuhnemann.Patterson, watched by Australia’s chair of selectors George Bailey, struck 110 from 125 balls in the NSW’s 224 all out. Tasmania, with another Ashes hopeful Jake Weatherald making 28, were reeling at 124 for 8 in the opening game of the Dean Jones Trophy at Cricket Central in Sydney.Related

• Labuschagne launches with a century: 'Nothing else matters but runs'

• Greg Shipperd: Current era probably toughest environment for young players

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• Webster hopes his all-round skills can help push for ODI honours

But Kuhnemann (56 not out from 71 balls) and Hope (49 not out from 91) produced a stunning unbroken 101-run stand for the ninth wicket to win with four balls to spare.Patterson played two Tests for Australia in 2019 and boasts an average of 144 – he made 30 and 114 not out in his two knocks against Sri Lanka. The left hander was discarded when Steven Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft had served their ball-tampering suspensions.But Patterson returned to Test discussions with prolific run-scoring in the Sheffield Shield last season, compiling 743 runs at 57.15, although is still an outside chance at this stage. On Tuesday, the 32-year-old dominated NSW’s innings – after his century the next-best was former captain Moises Henriques whose 41 from 51 balls featured two sixes. Patterson reached his second career one-day century from 113 deliveries. Tanveer Sangha was the only other NSW batter to reach double-figures.Kurtis Patterson started his season with a century•Getty Images

Test allrounder Beau Webster took 3 for 41 and white-ball specialist Nathan Ellis 3 for 37.Tasmania’s run chase faltered early with Mitch Owen out for 9 and Webster chopping on for a golden duck – both dismissed by debutant paceman Ryan Hadley in the second over.Sean Abbott, who was captaining NSW, then snared two quick wickets, including a wonderful delivery to take Mac Wright’s off stump, to leave the Tasmanians 42 for 4 after seven overs.Weatherald, who was recently put on the Test radar by selection chair Bailey, put on 54 with veteran Matthew Wade. But Weatherald’s 51-ball innings ended when he smacked a short ball from spinner Ollie Davies straight to Hadley on the deep midwicket boundary.Tasmania’s hopes appeared over when Wade was caught and bowled by Sangha, with Ellis was soon dismissed to leave the visitors 124 for 8 in the 26th over.But Kuhnemann and Hope produced their defining partnership, with the former edging through a vacant slips area for the winning boundary.

Unlike last month, the current international break is an unwelcome escape from Premier League football for West Ham United fans.

Nuno Espírito Santo has seemingly worked his magic, and a team that looked incapable of a win just a few weeks ago have just beaten Newcastle United and Burnley.

One of the reasons the Hammers look so much better is that Freddie Potts has finally been given his chance to start in the first team.

The Barking-born star has been immense in the middle of the park, and the good news is that the academy is producing a few players who could be the next Potts, although they also lost a youngster who’s an even bigger talent than the 22-year-old.

West Ham's next Freddie Potts

The good news for West Ham fans is that their academy system continues to produce exciting prospects, some of whom could go on to become the next Potts in a few years.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

One of those youngsters is Preston Fearon, who joined the Hammers in 2022, signed his first professional contract last year, and then signed another just last month.

Jarrod Bowen has described the 18-year-old as a “special player”, and it’s not hard to see why, as, in addition to making 43 appearances across the club’s youth sides, he was also taken on the pre-season tour of America.

Like the Hammers’ new star, the youngster can play in several positions, but thrives as a tough-tackling, yet technically accomplished, central midfielder.

Another youngster who could be fighting for first-team minutes a few years from now is Isaac Thomas.

The 16-year-old Welshman just scored four goals during his second appearance for the U18S, and what’s even more incredible is that he did so from centre-back.

However, just like Fearon and Potts, his primary position is in the middle of the park, but he’s capable of filling in where he is needed.

Finally, while a little older, Mohamadou Kanté looks every bit as exciting.

Described as having “good anticipation” and being “very calm and composed on the ball” by one analyst, the 20-year-old Frenchman is also no stranger to scoring goals and could provide a similar presence to the middle of the park as Potts.

In all, West Ham have plenty of exciting youngsters coming through the ranks, but even so, they surely rue losing someone who is an even bigger talent than Potts.

The academy gem who is a bigger talent than Potts

West Ham have done relatively well at retaining their most promising academy talents over the years, but they were unable to do so with Divine Mukasa.

The incredible prospect joined the Hammers as a five-year-old, but in September 2023, he moved to Manchester City for free.

The 18-year-old phenom made his senior debut for City in September, in a League Cup game against Huddersfield Town, and as if that wasn’t impressive enough, he also provided an assist.

He also started the following game in the competition against Swansea City and has been on the bench for three Premier League games so far this season.

However, while a player his age starting two games for a club like City is certainly impressive enough, it’s his record for their youth sides which suggests he could be a future superstar.

Appearances

41

Minutes

2807′

Goals

17

Assists

25

Goal Involvements per Match

1.02

Minutes per Goal Involvement

66.83′

For example, in 41 appearances across various youth sides last season, totalling 2807 minutes, the former Hammer chalked up an outrageous tally of 17 goals and 25 assists.

That means the incredible superstar in the making averaged 1.02 goal involvements per game, or one every 66.83 minutes all season, which goes some way in justifying journalist Nassali Sandrah’s claim that he is “the best academy player in Europe.”

To top it off, the Newham-born gem has also won five caps for England’s u19s, and scored his first goal for them against Wales last time out.

Ultimately, there are some seriously exciting prospects emerging from West Ham’s academy at the moment, but it certainly appears that they have lost the biggest talent of all in Mukasa.

Alongside Fullkrug: West Ham must sell £30m flop who was a "big voice"

The former international should have been a big success at West Ham United.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 12, 2025

New York Yankees star Aaron Judge had a strongly worded message to any pitchers that try to throw at him this season.

Amid a brewing controversy in which Red Sox manager Alex Cora appeared to admit Boston tried to intentionally hit Judge in retaliation over the weekend, the Yankees slugger clapped back with a zinger of his own. 

Cora was referring to a moment in the sixth inning of Saturday’s 7-1 win over the Yankees when Red Sox starter Brayan Bellow threw a fastball behind Judge’s knees. The pitch didn’t make contact with Judge, but Cora seemed to hint that the Red Sox were trying to plunk him after Yankees ace Gerrit Cole hit Rafael Devers in the first inning and decided to intentionally walk Devers in the fourth.

Judge, for his part, seemed unfazed by Cora’s threat of retribution.

“You play this game for a while, things like that happen,” Judge said after the Yankees wrapped up their season series against the Red Sox with a win on Sunday. “I know they’re upset. I think three of their guys got hit that day. I think they’re just protecting their players. Something’s gotta happen, and that’s the way this game gets policed and has been policed for 100 years. I think the biggest thing is, just don’t miss when you do it.”

Judge hit his major league-leading 53rd homer against the Red Sox in Sunday’s 5-2 win to extend the Yankees’ AL East lead.

Cora said Sunday he thought the Yankees hit Devers on purpose and implied that the Red Sox tried to even the score in the feud: “It was closed [Saturday] around the sixth inning. We had our chance. It didn’t happen.”

The MLB is currently investigating Cora’s comments and has yet to hand down any potential disciplinary consequences.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras venceu o Goiás na bacia das almas na última sexta-feira (15), no Allianz Parque, pelo Brasileirão, com um gol salvador de Breno Lopes nos acréscimos.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasPalmeirasLeila Pereira posta foto em apoio a Breno Lopes, e Palmeiras toma decisão sobre o casoPalmeiras16/09/2023Futebol LatinoBoca Juniors tem problema imenso para resolver antes do PalmeirasFutebol Latino16/09/2023PalmeirasCom Breno Lopes, Palmeiras se reapresenta na Academia de FutebolPalmeiras16/09/2023

+ Veja tabela e classificação do Brasileirão-2023 clicando aqui

A falta de repertório ofensivo se fez presente em mais um jogo do Verdão e o goleiro Tadeu foi pouco exigido durante os 90 minutos.

+ Já pensou em ser um gestor de futebol? Participe da nossa Masterclass com Felipe Ximenes e descubra oportunidades

Precisou o Palmeiras ficar com um jogador a mais e ir pro abafa para a bola sobrar para Breno Lopes marcar o gol que garantiu a vitória e deu fim a um jejum de dois jogos sem gols.

Com Mayke improvisado na direita, e Artur jogando do lado em que não está muito acostumado, Abel quebra a cabeça para ajustar um setor que é muito importante para q sua equipe.

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Melhor ataque da Libertadores e o segundo melhor ataque do Brasileirão, o Palmeiras terá que agredir o Boca em La Bombonera para tentar construir uma vantagem no primeiro jogo da semifinal da Libertadores.

+ Leila Pereira posta foto em apoio a Breno Lopes, e Palmeiras toma decisão sobre o caso

Resta saber se Abel vai manter Mayke na direita e Artur no lado em que funcionou muito pouco até aqui, ou se pode tentar um novo esquema com Endrick, Jhon Jhon e até Breno Lopes como opções.

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Fato é que o desempenho ofensivo do time despencou nos últimos jogos e o time terá que se reinventar sem Dudu para faturar o Tetra da América

Tudo sobre

Breno LopesPalmeiras

James Anderson took two wickets in his first four-day game for nearly a year as Lancashire took control of the Rothesay County Championship match at Emirates Old Trafford.The former England fast bowler finished with two for 24 from his five-over spell with the new ball but did not return to the attack on an evening when Lancashire’s spinners emphasised their team’s dominance.Replying to Lancashire’s 458, Derbyshire were 112 for four at the close with Brooke Guest on 14 and nightwatchman Jack Morley unbeaten on four after a day on which the home side had put their recent poor performances behind them.The morning’s play had set the tone for the day. Resuming on 250 for five, Lancashire’s sixth-wicket pair, George Balderson and George Bell, began brightly, taking five fours off the first six overs and scoring the 50 runs needed for a second bonus point in less than 12 overs.That early aggression set the tone for the morning. Balderson’s 11th four of the session took him to his half-century off 70 balls although 50 off those runs had been scored off 43 deliveries this morning.Seven overs later Bell reached his first half-century off 101 balls with six fours and the sixth-wicket partnership had added 133 runs when Balderson inside-edged a drive onto his stumps and was bowled by Jack Morley for 73 eight minutes before lunch. Despite that setback, Lancashire lunched on 380 for six, having added 130 runs in a 32-over session.Shortly after the resumption, Bell was caught at slip by Wayne Madsen off David Lloyd for 57 but Tom Hartley and Tom Bailey piled the pain on Derbyshire’s bowlers by adding 61 for the eighth wicket before both were dismissed in the space of three balls.Hartley was caught and bowled for 42 when he miscued a hook off Martin Andersson and Bailey was brilliantly caught for 29 by Caleb Jewell, who grabbed a one-handed catch at short extra-cover off Morley.Anderson Philip was then caught behind off Andersson for nought to end the home side’s innings on 458 and the crowd spent the tea interval anticipating the sight of one of the best fast-medium bowlers in the game’s history displaying his skills for Lancashire yet again. Aitchison was the most successful Derbyshire bowler with three for 87.The visitors’ reply began with a flurry of boundary fours but Anderson was not to be denied. He straightened the last ball of his third over to bowl Jewell for 16 and then extracted plenty of life from what had seemed a slow pitch to have Lloyd caught behind for 27 when he could not evade a short delivery and the catch looped up, probably off the glove, to Matty Hurst.Having taken two for 24 in five overs, Anderson was then removed from the attack but Lancashire’s other bowlers kept the pressure on Derbyshire’s batsmen. The visiting skipper, Wayne Madsen, was caught at the wicket for 14 when attempting to cut the left-arm spin of Hartley and the day ended with another success for the home side when Harry Came was deceived by Luke Wells’s googly and bowled for 31, playing no shot

أسدل الستار على منافسات الجولة السابعة من بطولة الدوري السعودي، بعد انتهاء مباراة النصر أمام الفيحاء التي جمعت بينهما مساء اليوم.

واستطاع النصر خطف فوز صعب من الفيحاء بهدفين مقابل هدف، بالمباراة التي أقيمت على أرضية استاد الأول بارك.

طالع | ترتيب هدافي الدوري السعودي بعد هدف رونالدو أمام الفيحاء

وانتهت مباراة الاتحاد أمام الخليج بالتعادل الإيجابي 4-4، اليوم في مباراة درامية جمعت بينهما ضمن منافسات الدوري السعودي.

والتقى الاتحاد أمام الخليج على أرضية استاد الخليج، في إطار لقاءات الجولة السابعة من الدوري السعودي.

واستطاع الهلال الفوز على الشباب بنتيجة 1-0 أمس الجمعة، عن طريق اللاعب ماركوس ليوناردو، على ملعب المملكة أرينا.

طالع.. حقيقة اهتمام باريس سان جيرمان وأندية الدوري السعودي بضم فينيسيوس جونيور

وحافظ النصر على تصدر جدول ترتيب الدوري السعودي برصيد 21 نقطة، ويأتي التعاون في الوصافة بـ18 نقطة. جدول ترتيب الدوري السعودي

1- النصر – 21 نقطة

2- التعاون – 18 نقطة

3- الهلال – 17 نقطة

4- القادسية – 14 نقطة

5- الأهلي – 13 نقطة

6- نيوم – 13 نقطة

7- الخليج – 11 نقطة

8- الاتحاد – 11 نقطة

9- الخلود – 9 نقاط

10- الفيحاء – 8 نقاط

11- الاتفاق – 8 نقاط

12- الرياض – 7 نقاط

13- الشباب – 6 نقاط

13- الحزم – 6 نقاط

15- الفتح – 5 نقاط

16- الأخدود – 4 نقاط

17- ضمك – 3 نقاط

18- النجمة بدون نقاط

يمكنكم متابعة ترتيب الدوري السعودي، بشكل محدث باستمرار من هنا.

The incoming boss of the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA) believes international contests are in “trouble” if scheduling continues to be dictated by T20 tournaments.Paul Marsh, who is leaving the AFL Players Association (AFLPA) to return to the ACA for a second stint, is strongly pushing for dedicated international windows to be introduced to counter franchise cricket.South Africa, who have qualified for the World Test Championship final, sent a squad to New Zealand last year without any first-choice players as it coincided with the country’s SA20 tournament.That was the most blatant example of T20 tournaments being prioritised in favour of international cricket, but the creep of franchise games has been happening since the foundation of the IPL back in 2008.Marsh recently chaired a sub-committee through the World Cricketers’ Association which proposed significant changes.”If we don’t get the scheduling sorted out in international cricket so we actually work out how international cricket will co-exist with the domestic Twenty20 competitions, then international cricket’s in trouble,” Marsh said on Tuesday after announcing he was quitting the AFLPA to return to the ACA.”So we are trying to get to windows. We are trying to get to a more structured format around how international cricket works. That’s one of the big priorities coming in, is to work with all the other countries to try to find the right solutions.”The current Future Tours Program ends in 2027, a year when Australia’s men’s team embarks on a tour of India, an away Ashes and an ODI World Cup.Australia are in a cycle when their three biggest series or tournaments fall in the same year, creating a massive 12 months every four years.”The cricket scheduling problem is not an easy one,” Marsh admitted. “It’s not like in AFL, where it’s pretty easy to put together and we’ve got complete control of it. Cricket Australia may want to have a schedule that’s a certain way, but you’ve then got to get the countries to come. So I’ll deal with that when I get started.”Marsh, the son of Australian cricket great Rod Marsh, felt it was time for a new challenge after 11 years and multiple historic player collective bargaining agreements (CBA) in the AFL.”It’s a good time, we’re a couple of years out from the next collective bargaining agreement. If I had to wait any longer, I think it’s difficult for the next person coming in,” he said. “So a variety of factors, but cricket’s in my blood.”Todd Greenberg, the new CA CEO who Marsh replaces at the ACA, said: “Paul brings a wealth of cricket experience to the role and a passion for the game and the welfare of our players.”A collaborative and productive relationship between CA and the ACA is important for the wellbeing of Australian Cricket and I’m sure this will continue well into the future.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A novela envolvendo a renovação de Bruno Méndez com o Corinthians está longe de acabar, mas o Timão possui um trunfo para convencer o zagueiro de 23 anos a ficar no clube.

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Uma das prioridades de Méndez é se consolidar na seleção uruguaia para a Copa do Mundo de 2026, e a diretoria alvinegra acredita que o defensor tenha maiores chances de cumprir seu objetivo caso fique no clube.

+ Todos os jogos doBrasileirãovocê encontra no Prime Video. Assine já e acompanhe o seu time do coração!

O Internacional é um dos interessados no zagueiro que possui vínculo com o Timão até o final do ano e pode assinar um pré-contrato em julho. Porém, no ano em que passou emprestado ao Inter, Méndez não foi chamado para defender a Celeste. Neste primeiro semestre de 2023, ele foi convocado por Marcelo Bielsa e participou dos minutos finais na vitória sobre Nicarágua, atuando como lateral-direito.

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Internamente, o Corinthians acredita ter feito uma proposta financeiramente competitiva para Bruno Méndez, mas o único temor da diretoria alvinegra é a vontade do atleta em jogar no continente europeu. Até o momento, nenhuma equipe da Europa mostrou interesse no uruguaio.

+ Timão se afasta do Z4? Veja tabela e os próximos jogos do Brasileirão

Independente da renovação com o uruguaio, o Corinthians quer reforçar o sistema defensivo com mais um zagueiro, pois entende estar “no limite” na posição. A diretoria tentou Lucas Veríssimo, mas os valores pedidos pelo Benfica e o histórico de lesões do atleta ex-Santos fizeram o Timão desistir do negócio.

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Corinthians

Sarah Coyte is aiming for an astonishing 10th state title against a Queensland side further hit by Georgia Voll’s absence

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff01-Mar-2025New South Wales veteran Sarah Coyte makes no secret of the fact a grand-final win on Sunday over Queensland would mean more than her first six WNCL titles with the state.”Just for the sheer fact that NSW have spent the last four or five years rebuilding,” Coyte told AAP.Coyte, at age 33, is one of the last remaining members of NSW’s days as the powerhouse of women’s domestic cricket. She won six competitions with the state between 2010 and 2015, as part of the Breakers’ record run of 10 straight titles in the 2000s and 2010s.Related

UPW pick Georgia Voll as replacement for Chamari Athapaththu for WPL 2025

Wilson bides her time in Australia's tight wicketkeeping race

So dominant were the Breakers in the early days of the 50-over WNCL, they claimed 20 of the first 23 competitions and finished runners-up in the other three.”Back when NSW kept winning, it was just an expectation, because we had all the big names,” Coyte said. “The program has completely changed since then. You don’t have as many big names, the Australian team have always got something on. Now we have to fight and work so hard for it, and it shows.”Coyte is no stranger to winning. On leaving NSW for South Australia in 2015-16, she broke NSW’s streak with a title there. Another two came in Tasmania, with the seamer now gunning for a 10th WNCL title in 13 full seasons separated by a mid-career break.”It would be the ultimate. It would mean everything for NSW to be back at the top,” she said. “Not just for me but for Cricket NSW to be back after having to rebuild.”Winning machine: Sarah Coyte is searching for a 10th WNCL title•Getty ImagesThe changed nature of the WNCL means Sunday’s final features no Australian players, with Queensland’s Georgia Voll the last to leave for India and the WPL on Friday. But that does open the door for other players to eye off lifelong dreams. For table-toppers Queensland, up to six of their XI will hunt a first title after losing to Tasmania in last year’s decider.”It’s disappointing – we would have loved her to play, and I know she would have loved to have played as well, but it’s a great opportunity for her and a good reward for her season so far,” Queensland captain Georgia Redmayne said. “Considering the urgency to get her to India, I really hope they give her the opportunity she deserves on Tuesday.””The good thing about having so many players in and out is that we’ve been able to give a lot of opportunities to a lot of girls throughout the season. Everyone in our squad of 13 has played games this season, so everyone’s been there and been exposed to it – we’re not bringing new players into the team suddenly for a final so I think that bodes well for us.”Georgia Voll has beeen handed a late call-up to the WPL•Getty ImagesFor NSW, a new generation wants success after finishing fifth and sixth for the past two years. And for the likes of senior Breakers quick Sammy-Jo Johnson and spinner Sam Bates, a title shot awaits after NSW’s dominance was a double-edged sword as teenagers.Knowing only of NSW’s stars winning, both were forced to move to Queensland and ACT respectively for a chance before returning in recent years.”The goal for me growing up was to play for NSW,” Johnson said. “That’s all I dreamt about, I just wanted to wear a baggy blue. But Queensland gave me an opportunity, and I wouldn’t have made a name for myself if I didn’t go chase it somewhere else.”Now, they know the chance awaits for NSW to create a new legacy on Sunday.”The history is very rich, but the cool thing about this group is we’ve forged our own path,” Johnson said. “We’ve gone through the struggles. We’ve had so many injuries … We’ve had to go through the grind.”WNCL final squadsQueensland Georgia Redmayne (capt), Charli Knott, Lily Bassingthwaighte, Lucinda Bourke, Sianna Ginger, Lilli Hamilton, Lucy Hamilton, Nicola Hancock, Laura Harris, Grace Parsons, Courtney Sippel, Lauren Winfield-Hill, Mikayla WrigleyNew South Wales Georgia Adams (capt), Sam Bates, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Sarah Coyte, Hannah Darlington, Elsa Hunter, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Claire Moore, Frankie Nicklin, Kate Pelle, Tahlia Wilson

أكد حازم إمام، نجم الزمالك السابق، أن الأهلي يمر بعدد من التحديات الفنية الواضحة في الفترة الأخيرة، خاصة على مستوى خط الدفاع وحراسة المرمى، مشيرًا إلى أن عماد النحاس المدير الفني المؤقت للفريق ما زال يبحث عن التوازن بين الأداء الدفاعي والهجومي قبل مواجهة الزمالك في قمة الدوري المصري الممتاز.

وقال حازم إمام في تصريحات عبر برنامج “الحريفة” على راديو “أون سبورت إف إم”: “دعوني أحدثكم عن النادي الأهلي وتحليل أدائه في المباريات الماضية مع عماد النحاس، الذي ستكون هذه المرة الأولى له لقيادة مباراة قمة بين الأهلي والزمالك كمدير فني”.

وتابع: “عماد النحاس وهو الذي قاد الفريق في ست مباريات الموسم الماضي وأعاد الأمور للنادي الأهلي وحقق بطولة الدوري، فطبيعي أن يكون لديه مصداقية، وهناك اقتناع كبير به من قِبل الجماهير”.

وأشار: “الأهلي فاز في المباراتين الأخيرتين، والأداء لم يكن الأفضل على الإطلاق، لكن الأهم هو تحقيق الفوز، الزمالك قدّم مباراة قوية جدًا أمام الجونة، خاصة في الشوط الأول، لكنه في النهاية تعادل، النتائج هي التي تجمع النقاط، وهي التي تحقق بطولة الدوري، الأداء الجيد قد يجعل الأجواء هادئة، لكن في النهاية من يفوز هو من يحصل على البطولة”.

وأضاف: “الأهلي فاز على حرس الحدود دون أن يكون الأداء مميزًا، لكنه في النهاية حقق الفوز، النظرية هذا الموسم أن الأهلي تقريبًا في كل مباراة يستقبل أهدافًا، الموسم الماضي كان من الممكن أن يقضي الأحمر الموسم بأكمله وهو يستقبل سبعة أو ثمانية أهداف فقط، لكن الآن بعد سبع مباريات سجل 11 هدفًا واستقبل 8 أهداف”.

وشدد: “هذه من أبرز العيوب التي ظهرت في الوقت الحالي، في السابق، عندما كنت تواجه الأهلي، كنت تعاني من شدة الضغط وتخرج منهكًا، أما الآن فالأمور أصبحت أيسر قليلًا، وهذه من أبرز التحديات التي يواجهها عماد النحاس”.

طالع أيضًا | محترف الأهلي يتعرض لإصابة ويغيب عن مباراة الزمالك

وتابع حازم إمام: “النحاس يلعب دائمًا بطريقة 4-3-3، لكن لا يوجد ثبات في التشكيل بسبب الإصابات أو لأسباب فنية، أحيانًا يجرب لاعبًا، فإذا لم يؤدِ بشكل جيد يقوم بتغييره مباشرة، ولا يوجد وقت لإعطائه الفرصة بسبب ضغط الجمهور والنتائج”.

واستطرد: “الأهلي يمتلك عددًا كبيرًا من اللاعبين وأسماء قوية، لكن كثرة التغييرات سواء في خط الدفاع أو في مركز حراسة المرمى أثّرت على ثبات الفريق، الأهلي استقبل 8 أهداف في 7 مباريات، وحافظ على نظافة شباكه في مباراتين فقط، في مركز حراسة المرمى مثلًا، شارك مصطفى شوبير في أول مباراتين، ثم لعب الشناوي أربع مباريات، وبعدها عاد شوبير للمباراة الأخيرة، فكرة التغيير المستمر في هذا المركز غريبة على الأهلي، لأنه تاريخيًا حراسة المرمى فيه ثابتة إلا في حالات الإصابة أو الإيقاف”.

واستكمل: “خط الدفاع تغيّر كثيرًا، في مركز الظهير الأيسر مثلًا، شارك محمد شكري، كريم فؤاد، مصطفى العش، عمر كمال، وحتى كوكا، أي أن خمسة لاعبين شاركوا في سبع مباريات فقط، في قلب الدفاع بدأ بأشرف داري وياسين مرعي، وبعد الإصابات دخل ياسر إبراهيم وبيكهام وغيرهم، طبيعي أن يؤدي ذلك إلى تذبذب دفاعي واستقبال عدد كبير من الأهداف، الأهلي ليس معتادًا على التغيير الكثير في الدفاع وحراسة المرمى، وعادة ما تكون التغييرات في خط الوسط أو الهجوم”.

وأردف “النحاس لا يزال متحفظًا بعض الشيء، ربما لأنه لم يواجه بعد فرقًا كبيرة مثل الزمالك أو بيراميدز، في ولايته السابقة كان أكثر هجومية لأنه لم يكن أمامه بديل سوى الفوز، أما الآن، ومع الضغوط الحالية، فهو يحاول أن يؤمّن نفسه أكثر، على سبيل المثال، أمام إنبي لعب بثلاثة لاعبين في الارتكاز: مروان عطية، أليو ديانج وبين رمضان، وهذا دليل على أنه كان متخوفًا، ديانج لاعب قوي جدًا لكنه لا يمتلك أدوارًا هجومية، يقطع الكرات ويمرر للخلف فقط، المدربون أحيانًا يرون أشياء مختلفة عما يراها الجمهور”.

واختتم: “أمام إنبي، كان يعلم أن الفريق سيدافع بدفاع المنطقة، ولذلك لعب باثنين من لاعبي الارتكاز الدفاعي الثابتين وأمامهما بين رمضان، وأتوقع أنه أمام الزمالك سيلعب بنفس النظام وبنفس الشكل المتحفظ، الأهلي يعاني من مشاكل واضحة دفاعيًا بسبب كثرة التغييرات، وفي الوقت نفسه لا يزال المدرب يبحث عن التوازن بين الأمان الدفاعي والهجوم”.