Bayer Leverkusen are hopeful of signing Monaco star Maghnes Akliouche after opening talks over a summer transfer.

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• Leverkusen in talks to sign Monaco star
• U21 star ready to make summer move
• Ten Hag rebuilding after major departures

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  According to , Leverkusen had been closely monitoring the 23-year-old and initial talks are said to have already taken place. However, a deal is likely to be difficult to complete due to Monaco's high asking price of around €70 million.

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  Previously, had reported that Manchester United had also entered the race for Akliouche. Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain are also keen to sign the 12-time French Under 21 international. Real Madrid could also show interest, with former Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso now on the sidelines. According to the report, the Spaniard is a big fan of the player.

  Monaco expect him to leave this summer and has set a transfer fee of upwards of €70 million.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Despite interest from City and PSG last summer, Akliouche decided to stay in Monaco and extended his contract until 2028. However, the Ligue 1 side have a policy of selling their best players when the time is right. That time appears to have come for Akliouche. After his most consistent season to date, there is now speculation that he could be called up to the French national team for the first time.

  Akliouche played 43 competitive games last season, scoring seven goals and providing 12 assists. He joined Monaco in 2017 at the age of 15 and came through the youth ranks, making his first-team debut in 2022.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  With talks at an early stage, there is a long way to go before Leverkusen will know whether or not the attacking midfielder will join Erik ten Hag's team. The Dutch coach has a tough job of rebuilding the side after the departures of Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Jonathan Tah and Odilon Kossounou, who all joined ex-boss Alonso on the way out of the club.

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Depois de abrir nove pontos de vantagem, o Vasco começou a oscilar na Série B e viu a diferença para o quinto colocado despencar. Esse cenário não é fruto do acaso, mas sim de uma série de fatores, que fizeram com que a equipe passasse a ver alguns adversários mais próximos. O LANCE! elucidou pontos cruciais, que fizeram com que o Cruz-Maltino caísse de rendimento no returno.

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No início da competição, sob o comando do técnico Zé Ricardo, o Gigante da Colina não apresentava um futebol primoroso, mas era competitivo e eficiente. Com isso, o time se consolidou no G4 e abriu boa vantagem sobre os rivais. A principal diferença para a campanha de 2021 era a solidez defensiva, sofrendo poucos gols.

+ Confira e simule a tabela da Série B do Campeonato Brasileiro

ESCOLHA EQUIVOCADA DE TREINADOR

Com a saída de Zé Ricardo para o Shimizu S-Pulse, do Japão, a diretoria demorou a encontrar uma solução experiente para dar sequência ao certame. Na ocasião, existiam boas opções no mercado como os nomes deGuto Ferreira, Odair Hellmann, Tiago Nunes, Renato Gaúcho e Enderson Moreira.

A escolha foi por um treinador com um perfil semelhante ao do antigo comandante. De acordo com a visão do diretor de futebol Carlos Brazil, Maurício Souza seria o nome ideal para manter a equipe no G4 e confirmar o acesso. O que se viu em campo foi justamente o oposto, com um time em franco declínio e cada vez mais desorganizado.

ERROS COLETIVOS E INDIVIDUAIS DA DEFESA

Desde a reta final do primeiro turno, o sistema defensivo vascaíno caiu de produção e passou a apresentar diversas falhas individuais e coletivas. Algo que se acentuou no returno, sobretudo nas últimas partidas com gols contra, constantes erros na saída de bola e espaço entre as linhas.

Além disso, destaques em outro momento do campeonato caíram bruscamente de rendimento. Entre eles, o goleiro Thiago Rodrigues, que outrora transmitia segurança e, atualmente, tem cometido vacilos inexplicáveis. Quintero também tem deixado a desejar tanto na marcação, quanto nas interceptações, ao marcar duas vezes contra o próprio patrimônio.

INOFENSIVO E FRÁGIL FORA DE CASA

Nos últimos oito jogos fora de casa, o Vasco sequer pontuou, sofreu vinte gols e marcou apenas quatro. As derrotas vão desde confrontos diretos como Cruzeiro, Bahia e Grêmio até equipes da parte de baixo da tabela como Vila Nova, Novorizontino, Brusque e CSA.

Mais que isso, o time não demonstrou qualquer poder de reação nesses confrontos. Seja com Maurício Souza, Emílio Faro ou Jorginho à beira do campo. Não pontuar como visitante temperou ainda mais a panela de pressão cruz-maltina. E elevou a obrigação de triunfar sob seus domínios, diante de sua torcida.

PERDA DE PONTOS PARA TIMES DA PARTE DE BAIXO DA TABELA

Conforme citado anteriormente, a equipe da cruz de malta deixou pontos importantes pelo caminho. Nos duelos contra adversários da parte de baixo da tabela, o aproveitamento não é o esperado. Diante de times da zona de rebaixamento, conseguiu duas vitórias apenas contra o lanterna Náutico.

Nos duelos com CSA e Brusque, o time não teve uma boa atuação e não estufou a rede fora de casa. Para confirmar o acesso, ainda terá pela frente duelos com Operário-PR e Novorizontino, que lutam para permanecer na Série B. Os seis pontos tornam-se obrigação para quem quer voltar à elite sem sustos.

RENDIMENTO DOS REFORÇOS DA SEGUNDA JANELA

Apesar da compra de 70% da SAF por parte da 777 Partners, o Vasco ainda não fez grandes contratações. Cabe lembrar que o acordo aconteceu com a segunda janela em andamento, e os reforços anunciados fazem parte ainda da gestão anterior. O problema, todavia, é que os nomes que chegaram ainda não corresponderam em campo.

Entre eles, está o da cria da Colina, Alex Teixeira, que soma dez jogos desde que retornou ao clube. O jogador ainda não conseguiu se encaixar na equipe e um dos fatores foi ter ficado um longo período sem atuar no exterior (desde o dia 21 de maio). No esquema de Jorginho, ele tem ficado como opção no banco, visto que joias da base como MarlonGomes e Eguinaldo estão em melhor fase.

BAIXO APROVEITAMENTO NOS CONFRONTOS DIRETOS

Para um time garantir o acesso precisa construir uma campanha consistente como mandante e também ser sólido nos duelos decisivos. O Vasco tem feito o dever de casa, é verdade, e é o quarto melhor levando em conta apenas os jogos no Rio de Janeiro – invicto até o momento.

Contudo, nos duelos contra os times do G4, o aproveitamento é baixo. Foram duas vitórias, diante de Cruzeiro e Bahia, ambos em São Januário, um empate com o Grêmio, também em solo carioca, e três derrotas, todas como visitante.

There aren’t too many arguments going around against South Africa having the best top-six in the world. The maverick Quinton de Kock, the stable Temba Bavuma, the conventional No. 3 Rassie van der Dussen, and then the dynamic powerhouse trio of Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller.It is what follows that comes up as a point of concern for anyone previewing South Africa’s chances in this World Cup. The argument is that Marco Jansen is batting one spot too high at No. 7, which can kind of prevent you from being at your attacking single-minded best as a batter. Just the thought that those behind you can bat can free up the mind.The absence of batting behind you can make you cagey although that didn’t show in the hammering they consigned Sri Lanka to. Still, at the ICC mixed media zone, it was put to van der Dussen if it bothers him that he is doing well but Jansen is the No. 7. If that kind of tempers his intent and his ambition.”Yes, maybe they are untested, but Marco, who is almost a batter in his own right, and Gerald’s standing here. If you talk about six-hitting, hopefully you’ll see that soon. And then… we know what KG [Rabada] and Kesh [Keshav Maharaj] can do as well down the order.”Minutes later, Gerald Coetzee turned up, and the first thing to ask him was if he fancied himself at six-hitting as much as van der Dussen did. “I do, absolutely,” Coetzee said. “I didn’t get a chance today. And if you look at my batting average, it says I average one, so I haven’t hit sixes, but in T20s, I’ve hit a few and I’ve done well in domestic cricket, so hopefully I get a chance and I can show it.”So fancy it enough to spend extra time in the nets working on his batting? “Yeah, no, I definitely want to be a bowling allrounder,” Coetzee said. “If you look at someone like Chris Morris, what value he added, I think there’s a massive gap in the market for that.”In the 160 balls that Coetzee has faced as a lower-order batter in T20s, he has hit 12 sixes and 11 fours. He is putting in the range-hitting work too. A boundary every eight balls or so is not Chris Morris-level yet, but that is a good aspiration to have for a young allrounder.Having said all that, as the fireworks in Delhi attested, Jansen and Coetzee at Nos. 7 and 8 inspire enough confidence in the top six to not hold back thinking of a long tail to follow.

Arsenal have announced their second signing of the transfer window as Liverpool's Taylor Hinds follows Lionesses star Chloe Kelly to the club.

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Hinds joins Arsenal after Liverpool contract expiredJamaica defender returns to club seven years after leavingSecond summer signing after Lionesses star KellyFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Hinds left the Reds when her contract expired just last week, after five seasons at the club. In that time, she helped the Merseysiders win promotion to the Women's Super League, became their third-highest appearance-maker in the WSL era and earned herself the role of vice-captain, regularly wearing the armband as Liverpool established themselves in the top flight again.

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It has been reported for several weeks that Arsenal were targeting the out-of-contract Jamaica international and that move has now been completed, with Hinds announced as the Gunners' second signing of the window on Monday. Similar to Kelly, it's a switch that sees the 26-year-old return to the club she spent seven years with as a youngster. Hinds joined Arsenal at the age of 11 and made her senior debut in a League Cup fixture in 2017, aged 18. A few months later, though, she would join Everton on a permanent deal as she pursued more game time.

WHAT HINDS SAID

Speaking about her return to north London, Hinds said: "I’m so proud to have signed for Arsenal. I want to push, compete and be winning trophies, and this club encompasses all of that. You can see what direction Arsenal is going in and everyone at the club wants to win. This is a full-circle moment for me and I’m grateful to come back to a place I called home when I was younger. I can’t wait to get started and to step out on the pitch at Emirates Stadium in front of all our incredible supporters."

Head coach Renee Slegers added: "We’re delighted to welcome Taylor back to Arsenal. She’s a versatile player who has great experience from multiple seasons in the WSL with Liverpool, where she took on a leadership role. I’m excited to get started with Taylor on the training pitch and I’m sure our supporters will join me in welcoming Taylor back to the club."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Hinds primarily played as a left wing-back for Liverpool last season, but the former England youth international is capable of playing on either the right or the left, as a wing-back or an orthodox full-back. She also has experience in midfield.

The scoring rate barely touched two an over for most of the day against an depleted Queensland attack

AAP and ESPNcricinfo staff16-Nov-2023

Victoria 201 for 4 (Harris 73, Handscomb 66) vs QueenslandVictoria battled their way through a slow first day of their Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the MCG.On a tricky, green pitch, they carefully went about their business after being sent in to bat by Usman Khawaja. Test contender Marcus Harris hit a patient, but important 73 in front of national selector Tony Dodemaide.Coming off a century on a flat pitch at the Junction Oval against Tasmania last week, this knock, from 212 balls, was arguably better as it was made in tough conditions.Harris, along with Cameron Bancroft, is in line to replace David Warner when the veteran opener bows out of Test cricket in January. He was eventually bowled somewhat unluckily as the ball rebounded from his pad into leg stump.Fellow Test prospect Peter Handscomb hit 66 before falling caught behind to Jack Wildermuth.Victoria’s run-rate is sitting at just above two-an-over and they will need to lift that significantly on Friday if they want to force a result in the four-day match.Queensland were rocked by the withdrawals of quicks Michael Neser and Mark Steketee ahead of the match. Coming off two agonising defeats in a row, the Bulls are without arguably their two most important bowlers.Neser returned to Brisbane to be with his partner giving birth, while Steketee woke up feeling ill and withdrew from the team.Former Western Australian bowler Liam Guthrie was brought into the Queensland team.Guthrie claimed the key wicket of Will Pucovski, who has been below his prolific best since returning to the Shield side this season, for 5.With Test spinner Todd Murphy resting, left-armer Doug Warren was handed a first-class debut for Victoria.Queensland and Victoria sit in the bottom two spots on the table with each state only having won one game from their first four matches to start the season.