Como have been dealt a massive injury blow with Alvaro Morata ruled out for a significant period. The Spanish striker, who arrived in the summer following a drawn-out transfer saga involving Galatasaray and AC Milan, faces a frustrating spell on the sidelines after sustaining a serious thigh injury against Inter.
Mikel Arteta has shared his belief that Chelsea deserve to be in the Premier League title race, ahead of Arsenal's showdown with the Blues on Sunday. The Spanish manager reiterated his admiration for Enzo Maresca's side, sharing that he enjoys watching them play in his pre-match press conference. The Gunners head to Stamford Bridge with a six point lead over the London rivals.
Arteta praises Chelsea ahead of London derby
Arteta has not been shy in heaping praise over one of his club's fiercest rivals. When the sides last met in March, the 43-year-old described Chelsea as the "best attacking team in the league by a mile", despite the Gunners coming out on top with a 1-0 home win.
Those comments were put to Arteta in his pre-match press conference earlier today. The FA Cup winning manager reiterated his assessment of his next opponents', while also confirming the Blues as credible contender to the Premier League crown this term.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportArteta: Chelsea "deserve" to be in the title race
When asked if Chelsea are worthy title challengers, Arteta said: "I think we are all there, and they are there because they fully deserve what they have done in the last few years. I think the squad that they assembled, the numbers that they have, the quality that they have, the number of coaches they have it makes sense that what is happening there is very, very positive and they deserve to be there."
In reply to a question about whether he still views Chelsea as the league's best attacking force, he replied: "They were [the best last season], the sample now this season is early so it's difficult to say.
"But it is one of the teams that I enjoy the most watching and they have a lot of fluidity, they have a lot of threat, they have a lot of individual talent, they are very clear what they want to do and that's why they are very tough."
Arteta provides injury update ahead of Chelsea game
The Spaniard was also pushed on the current injury status of a number of his squad.
Leandro Trossard is awaiting another test of a calf problem he sustained in the Gunners midweek win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz's return could depend on the results of repeat scans on hamstring and knee issues respectively.
Asked whether either of those attacking options returned clear scans, Arteta replied: "Clear, not yet, but they are getting closer and closer. We are very positive with both of them and that's it."
The Arsenal boss also gave an update on the return of Gabriel Jesus. tofirst team action. The Brazilian striker took part in a behind-closed-doors game at Arsenal's training ground against Watford on Thursday. Jesus had not played since undergoing knee surgery in January.
While Arteta said the 29-year-old was "very close" to return to first team action, he addedd: "We see every single day how he's reacting to the change that he had in load and then he needs to get into the chemistry of the team, understanding the things on match time which are very different to anything that he tried to replicate in training obviously and those gaps try to make them as short as possible."
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Getty Images SportChelsea and Arsenal in white-hot form ahead of crucial London derby
The depth of Arsenal's squad has allowed them to weather a mini-injury crisis over the past few weeks. Arteta heralded his players preparation after their 3-1 win over Bayern Munich on Tuesday. That triumph was the most impressive win in a 16-game unbeaten run that dates back to their 1-0 defeat to Liverpool back in August.
Chelsea also enjoyed a statement win in Europe this week, beating Barcelona 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. The Blue have quietly asserted themselves over the past few weeks, scoring eight goals and conceding goals in their past three games in all competitions.
Sunday's game feels like a crucial juncture in the title race. If Chelsea can play up to Arteta's assessment, it could trigger a three-way title race with Pep Guardiola's side also entering the fray. However, if the Gunners can take all three points, they will establish a nine point gulf. With the league's best attacking and defensive record, that's an imposing lead even with so much football still left to play.
انتقد أحد الصحفيين الأداء الذي ظهر به ريال مدريد أمام إلتشي، في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الدوري الإسباني.
وكان ريال مدريد قد تعثر أمام إلتشي وتعادل بنتيجة 2/2 في المباراة التي جمعتهما ضمن منافسات الجولة الثالثة عشر من بطولة الدوري الإسباني “لا ليجا”.
وشن سيرو لوبيز، هجومًا قويًا على لاعبي ريال مدريد بعد الأداء الباهت الذي ظهروا به خلال المباريات الأخيرة وخاصةً بعد فوز الكلاسيكو.
اقرأ أيضًا | عرض استثنائي من ليفربول لضم قائد ريال مدريد
وقال لوبيز، ونقلت تصريحاته صحيفة “موندو ديبورتيفو”: “هذا هو معنى الاحتراف، في العام الماضي لم تترشحوا لأني سمحت لكم بذلك وهذا العام مع تشابي ألونسو، أنتم أيضًا لن تترشحوا لأنه يُطالبكم بالكثير، حسنًا هذا يكفي، أنتم جميعًا تعتقدون أنكم بيليه”.
وأكمل: “فالفيردي يعتقد أنه بيليه لأن كروس اختاره وريثًا له وعليه أن يلعب أينما يشاء، فينيسيوس كذلك فهو بيليه أيضًا، بيلينجهام بالنسبة لوالده هو بيليه أيضًا”.
وتابع: “إذا أراد ريال مدريد أن يطمح إلى أن يكون من عظماء أوروبا، فعليه أن يفعل ذلك مع مدربين يحملون أفكارًا مثل ألونسو وهي أفكار تتطابق مع أفكار فليك أو جوارديولا أو أرتيتا، هذه مشكلة اللاعبين الذين لا يريدون الركض والضغط، لا يهم من هو المدرب”.
MatériaMais Notícias
Bragantino e Botafogo empataram por 2 a 2 no Estádio Nabi Abi Chedid, pela 34ª rodada do Brasileirão. O Massa Bruta abriu o placar logo aos dois minutos de jogo com Thiago Borbas, mas a virada do Glorioso aconteceu ainda na primeira etapa, em um intervalo de dois minutos: Victor Sá empatou a partida aos 34 e Eduardo virou aos 36. Nos acréscimos, e depois de muita pressão sobre a defesa do Botafogo, Thiago Borbas marcou o segundo gol do Bragantino e deu números finais ao placar.
➡️ Tudo sobre o Fogão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Botafogo
Com este resultado, o Botafogo deixa a liderança do Campeonato Brasileiro depois de 31 rodadas. O clube carioca tem 60 pontos conquistados, dois a menos que o novo líder, o Palmeiras. O Bragantino, por sua vez, fica com 59 pontos e segue na disputa do título, ocupando a quarta posição da tabela, que garante vaga direta à Libertadores do próximo ano.
+ Embolou geral! Veja os jogos e simule os resultados do Glorioso no Brasileirão
CINCO LANCES QUE MARCARAM A PARTIDA
>!QUE TIRIÇA! O Botafogo conseguiu a proeza de tomar um gol aos 2 minutos de jogo: Vitinho carregou a bola da ponta esquerda para o centro, cercadi por Di Placido, que só observou o atacante finalizar de fora da área; a bola bateu na trave e voltou nos pés de Thiago Borbas, que só empurrou para dentro e abriu o placar para o Bragantino.
>!FORÇA, GUERREIRO! Ainda no primeiro tempo, o artilheiro Tiquinho Soares deixou o campo sentindo dores no tornozelo esquerdo. Em seu lugar, entrou o centroavante Diego Costa.
>!ÁGUA MILAGROSA! Aos 30 minutos, o árbitro da partida parou a partida para a hidratação dos atletas, e o técnico Lúcio Flávio soube se aproveitar muito bem deste momento para reorganizar o Botafogo. No reinício do jogo, Victor Sá recebeu uma bola invertida do lado esquerdo do campo e puxou para dentro, em lance semelhante ao de Vitinho. O atacante do Alvinrgro acertou um chutaço e empatou o duelo!
>!PISCOU, JÁ ERA! No lance seguinte, Victor Sá recebeu um passe na mesma posição do lance do gol, mas dessa vez optou por uma solução doferente: ao invés de puxar para o centro e finalizar, cruzou a bola em direção ao gol. A zaga do Bragantino afastou e a bola sobrou nos pés de Eduardo, que finalizou da pequena área para virar o jogo em favor do Botafogo!
>!CAIXINHA DE SURPRESAS! O técnico do Bragantino ousou ao tirar quase todos os defensores de campo – apenas Léo Ortiz permaneceu no jogo – na busca pelo empate. E sua escolha deu resultado nos acréscimos do segundo tempo: depois de tanto pressionar, o Massa bruta conseguiu marcar o gol de empate, novamente com Thiago Borbas.
COMO FOI O PRIMEIRO TEMPO?
O gol do Bragantino logo no início tinha tudo para deixar o Botafogo abatido e condicionar o desenrolar do jogo, como de fato o fez na primeira metade do primeiro tempo. Mas a pausa para hidratação, por volta dos 30 minutos, inverteu completamente a situação do jogo: o Botafogo se organizou melhor e encontrou o caminho do sucesso através das inversões, com jogadas de mano-a-mano entre atacante e lateral, enquanto o Bragantino perdeu totalmente o controle da partida, com e sem bola.
E A ETAPA FINAL?
O técnico do Bragantino, Pedro Caixinha, não teve medo e encheu o time de atacantes na busca pelo empate. O Botafogo, no entanto, recuperou a consistência perdida ao longo da competição e soube se fechar bem. As trocas de Lúcio Flávio também contribuíram para isso, com a entrada de mais meio-campistas na equipe. Mas como tem coisas que só acontecem com o Botafogo, o Bragantino empatou a partida nos acréscimos do jogo, novamente com Thiago Borbas, jogando um balde de água fria na torcida do Alvinegro.
+ Confira mais detalhes do duelo entre Bragantino e Botafogo
OS NÚMEROS DA PARTIDA
O QUE VEM POR AÍ
As duas equipes dão uma pausa na briga pelo título do Brasileirão para os jogos da Data Fifa. No retorno, o Bragantino vai ao Rio de Janeiro para enfrentar o Flamengo, no Maracanã, no dia 23 (quinta-feira) às 21h30 (hora de Brasília). No mesmo dia, mas às 19 horas (também horário de Brasília), o Botafogo visita o Fortaleza no Castelão.
FICHA TÉCNICA
BRAGANTINO 2 x 2 BOTAFOGO
Local:Estádio Nabi Abi Chedid, em Bragança Paulista (SP)
Data e hora:12/11/2023 (domingo), às 16 horas (de Brasília)
Árbitro:Anderson Daronco (Fifa/RS)
Assistentes:Rafael da Silva Alves (Fifa/RS) e Luanderson Lima dos Santos (Fifa/BA)
VAR:Wagner Reway (VAR Fifa/PB)
Público e renda:não divulgado
Cartões amarelos:Léo Realpe (26’/1ºT) e Matheus Fernandes (36’/2ºT) para o Bragantino; Diego Hernández (41’/2ºT) para o Botafogo
Cartões vermelhos:não houve
Gols:Thiago Borbas (2’/1ºT) (1-0), Victor Sá (34’/1ºT) (1-1), Eduardo (36’/1ºT) (1-2) e Thiago Borbas (51’/2ºT) (2-2)
BRAGANTINO:Cleiron; Andrés Hurtado (Luan Cândido, aos 16’/2ºT), Léo Realpe (Matheus Fernandes, aos 25’/2ºT), Léo Ortize Juninho Capixaba (Alerrandro, aos 25’/2ºT); Lucas Evangelista e Jadsom; Eduardo Sasha (Bruninho, aos 25’/2ºT), Vitinho (Sorriso, aos 16’/2ºT), Henry Mosquera e Thiago Borbas. Técnico:Pedro Caixinha
BOTAFOGO:Lucas Perri; Di Placido, Adryelson, Victor Cuesta e Marçal; Marlon Freitas, Tchê Tchê (Diego Hernández, aos 13’/2ºT) e Eduardo (Gabriel Pires, aos 13’/2ºT); Júnior Santos (Danilo Barbosa, aos 13’/2ºT), Victor Sá (Hugo, aos 32’/2ºT) e Tiquinho Soares (Diego Costa, aos 20’/1ºT).Técnico:Lúcio Flávio
Liverpool fell to a damaging 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, and their star players are taking significant criticism in the wake of their third straight loss in the top flight.
Carragher calls for Salah to be dropped
The Reds have now lost four matches in a row in all competitions, with Sunday’s loss at home to United the nadir in an increasingly concerning season for the champions.
It was another off day for Mohamed Salah, who missed a huge chance after the break and generally struggled to have any kind of positive impact on proceedings, with Jamie Carragher calling for him to be dropped on Sky Sports after the game, having also questioned his form before proceedings began.
“I don’t think Salah should be like a Virgil van Dijk where it’s like ‘first name on the teamsheet’. Liverpool have got two away games – in the Champions League at Frankfurt and then they go to Brentford. I don’t think Salah should start both of those games.
“He should always start at Anfield because Liverpool will be on top, around the edge of the box and more often than not he scores in those situations today. But I do think in the away games and helping your full-back, I don’t think Salah should be starting every game right now, certainly away from home, with the form he’s in.”
Arne Slot finds himself under genuine pressure as Liverpool’s head coach, but he isn’t being helped out by star players, from Salah to recent signings.
Harry Maguire outscoring Liverpool strikers
Incredibly, Harry Maguire’s winner for United means that he now has scored the same number of goals at Anfield in the league this season as Salah (1), Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak combined, leading to plenty of fans panicking on social media after BBC journalist Statman Dave shed light on Isak in particular.
The latter pair are still waiting to strike for the Reds in the top flight home or away, having arrived as the two most expensive signings in Reds history earlier this year, and the Swede has racked up 1.4 expected goals even in his limited playing time, so really should have found the net by now.
To say that this statistic is damning would be an understatement, with almost nobody expecting Liverpool to make such an unconvincing start to their title defence.
Salah’s form is concerning, with signs that the 33-year-old may have peaked as a footballer, while Wirtz and Isak are taking longer to adjust to life at Anfield that a lot would have hoped.
There are mitigating factors surrounding their struggles, though, with fellow new signings Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez flattering to deceive, and the likes of Ibrahima Konate and Alexis Mac Allister in poor form in too many games.
Worse than Salah: Slot must drop "naive" 3/10 Liverpool flop after Man Utd
Mo Salah is becoming an issue for Liverpool.
ByKelan Sarson Oct 20, 2025
Wirtz and Isak will likely come good, and Salah is too special a footballer not to overcome this enormous slump, but if things don’t improve fast, Liverpool will be out of the Premier League title race by Christmas.
Rising star Cavan Sullivan came off the bench for the U.S. in Wednesday's U17 World Cup opener, but the Philadelphia Union attacker made the difference in a 1-0 win over Burkina Faso. His late goal sealed three points for the U.S. as they began the tournament in Qatar. Sullivan was tossed into the fray with the game scoreless in the 62nd minute.
Getty ImagesSullivan's big moment
Despite the hype behind him, Sullivan started the match on the bench for a U.S. team loaded with attacking talent, including highly-rated forwards Julian Hall, Nimfasha Berchimas and Mathis Albert, all of whom started. Sullivan replaced LAFC midfielder Jude Terry in the second half as the U.S. pushed for a goal.
It came in the 79th minute, when Albert looped a cross over Burkina Faso's defense to find Sullivan, who placed the ball into the back of the net to earn the U.S. all three points in their opening match.
AdvertisementWatch the goalGetty ImagesSullivan's rise
Sullivan's goal comes as he looks to break through in MLS with the Philadelphia Union. The 16-year-old homegrown has been widely touted as one of the top prospects in American soccer, and was signed by the Union in May 2024 at age 14.
Since, he's featured 18 times for the Union first team and joined up with the U.S. late for this World Cup to participate in the club's initial playoff matches. The teenager is set to join Manchester City when he turns 18.
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Getty ImagesWhat comes next?
Following the tournament-opening win, the U.S. will now look ahead to Saturday's match against Tajikistan, who fell 6-1 to the Czech Republic in their first U17 World Cup match.
While it hasn’t been the perfect start to the season for Arsenal, it’s been a pretty good one.
Mikel Arteta’s side have had to play Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Newcastle United in the Premier League, and have come out with seven points out of a possible 12 from those specific games.
Add to that thumping wins over Nottingham Forest and Leeds United, and a good 2-0 win away to Athletic Bilbao in the Champions League, and it’s hard not to be optimistic about the campaign ahead.
However, there have still been a few problems here and there, whether it be mounting injuries or a perceived lack of threat, especially when it comes to the club’s new talisman, Viktor Gyokeres.
It’s been a mixed start to life in England for the Swede, which isn’t helped by a former Arsenal striker outperforming him on the continent.
Gyokeres' start to the season with Arsenal
Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out, it’s worth stating that, despite what some would have you believe online, Gyokeres has not had a terrible start to his Arsenal career, far from it.
However, it’s equally true that, so far anyway, the former Sporting CP star has not been the monstrous goal machine some had thought or hoped he’d be. After all, this is a player who found the net on over 50 occasions last term in Portugal.
He is officially the best striker in the world, so the Ballon d’Or awards would have you believe, anyway, so this certainly wasn’t a poor use of funds over the summer.
However, while he scored a wonderful goal and a penalty against Leeds, and then got himself another against Forest, it would be fair to say that the 27-year-old has struggled somewhat in the big games.
Granted, a significant reason he hasn’t been able to find the back of the net in the big games is the lack of service he’s received from his teammates, but even then, the very best strikers in world football can create their own chances.
His performance against Newcastle was a bit of a mixed bag as well.
While he held up the ball well at times, made some good runs and even won a penalty, which was then overturned, he still failed to do the most crucial thing: score.
Moreover, there were more than a few moments in which he got his feet stuck under himself, or took a touch too many and lost the ball in an advantageous position.
Yet, with all that said, it’s still early in the season, and as his teammates get more and more comfortable with his style of play, there is every chance he becomes that goal machine so many thought he’d be.
However, as things stand, he is currently being outperformed by a former Arsenal star whom Arteta let leave for free.
The former Arsenal star outperforming Gyokeres
While there are probably a few Arsenal players who could fit this label at the moment, the star in question is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gabonese striker joined the Gunners back in the 2018 winter window, and to say he justified his £56m price tag would be a massive understatement.
The former Borussia Dortmund star would go on to become the fastest player in the club’s history to score 50 goals; he’d play a crucial role in their 2020 FA Cup triumph and even wear the captain’s armband at points.
However, after the goals began to dry up, and he fell out with Arteta over discipline and his off-the-pitch behaviour, his contract was terminated by mutual agreement in January 2022, which allowed him to join Barcelona for free in the same month.
He’d only stay in Spain for half a season before spending a dreadful year back in London with Chelsea, after which he made his way to Marseille, and once again regained his out-of-this-world ability.
In a single campaign in the South of France, the former Arsenal star scored 30 goals and provided 11 assists in 51 appearances, but instead of staying on, he made a big-money move to the Saudi Pro League.
Unsurprisingly, the “world-class” striker, as dubbed by Behdad Eghbali, also performed brilliantly in the Middle Eastern state, racking up an impressive tally of 24 goal involvements in 36 games for Al-Qadsiah.
Fortunately, the Laval-born monster felt the urge to return to European football this season and rejoined Marseille in the summer.
Since his return to the French giants, the 36-year-old has once again shown his quality, scoring three goals and providing one assist in just six appearances, totalling 337 minutes.
Appearances
6
8
Minutes
337′
572′
Goals
3
3
Assists
1
0
Goal Involvements per Match
0.66
0.37
Minutes per Goal Involvement
84.25′
190.66′
In other words, he is averaging a goal involvement every 1.5 games, or every 84.25 minutes, which, unfortunately for Arteta and Co, means he’s currently outperforming Gyokeres, and by some margin.
For comparison’s sake, the Swede’s three goal involvements in eight appearances, totalling 572 minutes, come out to an average of one every 2.66 games, or every 190.66 minutes.
Ultimately, it would probably be untrue to claim that Aubameyang is currently a better striker than Gyokeres, but Arsenal fans will be hoping the former Sporting star can start putting the ball in the back of the net more regularly as the season goes on.
Arsenal have signed a "Fabregas-type" player and he's "near-perfect"
The international ace has been a monster for Mikel Arteta and Arsenal.
1 ByJack Salveson Holmes Sep 29, 2025
Following their 2-2 draw with Real Betis, former player Stan Collymore has named one Nottingham Forest star who he believes is “finally” living up to the hype.
Ange "disappointed" by Real Betis draw
After falling a goal behind courtesy of Cedric Bakambu’s impressive finish inside 15 minutes, Nottingham Forest arguably played the best football of Ange Postecoglou’s young tenure. The Midlands club soon equalised through summer signing Igor Jesus, who then found his brace to flip the game on its head.
From there, it was Forest’s to lose and they should have extended their lead before the break. Ultimately, however, they left the door ajar for Antony to find a late equaliser for the hosts. In the end, the Tricky Trees were forced to settle for a “disappointing” draw, according to Postecoglou.
Even after making it four wins without a victory as Forest boss, however, there were positives for Postecoglou to take. The first-half display was particularly dominant and Elliot Anderson once again stood out in the middle of the park.
Worse call than Luiz: Ange got it so wrong with 6/10 Nottingham Forest man
Nottingham Forest secured a 2-2 draw with Real Betis in their first European game in 30 years.
ByEthan Lamb Sep 25, 2025
Both the England international and another midfield star received high praise from former Nottingham Forest player Collymore after the game.
Collymore: Sangare "finally" living up to hype
After spending most of last season sidelined through injury, it was important for Ibrahim Sangare to make his mark under Postecoglou and that’s exactly what he’s doing. According to Collymore, Sangare is “finally” living up to the hype after an “incredibly effective” display against Real Betis in the Europa League.
The numbers paint a similar picture about the midfielder. Against Betis, Sangare won two out of three ground duels, was dribbled past just once, and made three recoveries. It was a display that Postecoglou will expect to see from his defensive midfielder every week.
It’s also worth noting the impact that Douglas Luiz has also had and how that may have played a part in Sangare’s revival. The former Aston Villa man was in full control when he was on the pitch and often acted as the conductor for wave after wave of Forest attacks.
Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United, meanwhile, have signed George Linde and Alex Carey as replacement picks
Danyal Rasool24-Mar-2025
David Warner led Sydney Thunder to the final of BBL 2024-25•Getty Images
Former Australia opener David Warner will captain the Karachi Kings in the tenth edition of the Pakistan Super League. Warner, who was the Kings’ first pick at the draft in January, replaces Shan Masood as captain.”We have a fantastic line-up and I’m super excited to take on the role of captain this year,” Warner said.Related
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Kings’ owner Salman Iqbal said Warner’s “track record as leader and match-winner aligns perfectly with our vision” while paying tribute to Masood, whom he expected to remain a “key player in the squad”.The Kings are looking to break out of a rut that has seen them miss out on the playoffs each of the last three seasons. Since winning their only title in 2020, they haven’t come close to replicating that success.Warner recently captained Sydney Thunder to the final of the 2024-25 Big Bash League, seven years on from Cricket Australia imposing a lifetime leadership ban on him in the wake of the ball-tampering fracas that engulfed Australia in Cape Town in 2018. The ban was lifted last year.George Linde has replaced Corbin Bosch in the Peshawar Zalmi squad•AFP/Getty Images
Linde replaces Bosch, Carey replaces van der DussenPeshawar Zalmi have drafted in South Africa allrounder George Linde as a full replacement for his compatriot Corbin Bosch, who pulled out of the PSL to take part in the IPL that is running concurrently.Anoher South Africa star, the Islamabad United batter Rassie van der Dussen, is set to miss part of the season for personal reasons. Islamabad have named Australia keeper-batter Alex Carey as his partial replacement.These picks were made in an online replacement draft held on Monday. Peshawar Zalmi and Kings have reserved their replacement picks for Bangladesh fast bowler Nahid Rana and keeper-batter Litton Das respectively, while Quetta Gladiators and Kings have reserved their replacement picks for New Zealand batters Mark Chapman and Kane Williamson respectively.The PSL begins on 11 April in Rawalpindi, with the final on 18 May in Lahore.
Here’s how India’s players reacted after winning the Champions Trophy in Dubai
ESPNcricinfo staff09-Mar-2025
KL Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja hug after the victory•ICC via Getty Images
.KL Rahul: “I don’t think I can say this on camera, but I was s****ing myself at the end. But we still had a couple of batters to come, so I was confident that we could get over the line.”But in moments like this and big games, it’s more about holding your composure, which we all know about. It’s not easy, but I’m happy to win this and happy to get over the line this time. I think I’ve batted in times like this in three out of the five games. And one of the games I didn’t get to bat at all, against Pakistan.”The game’s given me good time in the middle and good time to prepare for a big moment like this. It’s hard to put in words, but it’s just pure skill and the way we’ve all played our cricket growing up. We’ve had to face a lot of challenges. We’ve had to face pressure from the time we held the bat and from the time we decided to be professional cricketers. I think it’s just the first-class cricket, BCCI, how they’ve groomed every player, every talented player that comes around. They’re giving us opportunities and platforms to showcase our skills and to put ourselves under pressure and keep challenging ourselves and getting better.”Related
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Stats – Four drops, a spin strangle, and 15 tosses lost in a row
Kohli: India ready to take on the world for the next eight years
Hardik Pandya: “It’s always amazing to win an ICC event, and especially the Champions Trophy. I remember 2017 very closely to my heart. We could not finish the job that time. But very, very pleased with the way we have played throughout the tournament. And, at the same time, how everyone contributed. That was fantastic.”Oh, brilliant. You know, that was calm, composed [from KL Rahul]. He took his chances at the right point of time. I think this is what KL Rahul is. KL Rahul has immense talent, and I don’t think anyone can hit the ball the way he can. I think that was the exhibition of how he did today.”Varun Chakravarthy: “Yeah, so I was a sudden inclusion, and I didn’t expect it to turn out like this, and it’s a dream come true. Yeah, it was good, because [in] the first innings the spin was less, and we had to be very disciplined and stick to the stumps.”Shreyas Iyer: “Feeling ecstatic, to be honest. It’s ineffable. And hard to say it in words, to be honest. It’s my first ICC trophy, and I’m kind of overwhelmed. Looking at each and everyone in the dressing room, the way we’ve turned up towards this tournament, and the way we’ve progressed, it was simply magnificent.”To be honest, I love to be under pressure whenever there’s a challenge. I feel I thrive under pressure, and I love such moments. It’s just that I’ve been getting amazing starts in the tournament, and not able to get a big one, but at the end of the day, if I’m able to contribute to a team victory, that is immensely satisfying, and I’m truly happy.”Shubman Gill: “Felt amazing. For the most part, I was sitting back and enjoying Rohit ‘s batting but we kept talking to each other and the [opening] partnership was important for us. Definitely very satisfying, we missed out on the last one that we played in 2023 [World Cup], and it’s a surreal feeling to be able to win this one, starting with the ODI series in England, winning eight ODIs back-to-back, amazing feeling.”Watching him [Virat Kohli] on the TV when I was a kid, and then playing with him, and seeing the intensity at which he plays, it’s just phenomenal to watch. And I think it tells us what the game is all about, giving his everything, and that’s the only thing that he talks about, even off the field as well – give your everything when you’re playing on the field. For him to be able to back his words like that, is just phenomenal.”Ravindra Jadeja: “My batting number is such that I’m either a hero or a zero [on finishing India’s matches often]. Hardik and KL had a good partnership in the last ten overs because the wicket was not so easy for new batsmen but the partnership they had changed the momentum of the game.”This means a lot to India. You’re a part of such a team, and there will be regrets if you’re not able to win tournaments after playing for so many years. But luckily in these two years we’ve won the T20 World Cup and now the Champions Trophy, so it’s great for team India.”Kuldeep Yadav: “Luckily [I didn’t have to bat]. Credit goes to KL and Jaddu to finish the game. There are certainly a lot of expectations when you’re playing well over the years, and you enter the tournaments as favourites, although I don’t believe in the favourites’ tag. We’ve played good cricket over the last few years, and I dedicate this win to the fans, they have a lot of expectations from us. It’s been terrific how we played this tournament.”It’s very difficult to manage four spinners on the field and the way Rohit managed was great and outstanding because you have to read the batsmen and who will bat in what situation, so whom to bowl at what time. The planning was there for the last few days according to their batting line-up and what to bowl when. It was terrific.”A big party is due, and entire India will party today.”