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Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoeness says Nick Woltemade will still play a "central role" for the club despite the transfer saga involving Bayern Munich.

Hoeness speaks about Woltemade and BayernManager insists striker will play a central role next seasonBayern handed transfer ultimatum by StuttgartFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Stuttgart head coach Hoeness has made it clear that he had always intended on retaining Woltemade amid serious interest from Bayern Munich. The 23-year-old, according to Hoeness, will be "central" to his plans next season, starting with the DFL-Supercup final against the Bavarians this weekend.

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Woltemade grabbed the eyeballs after a breakthrough season at the MHP Arena, scoring 17 goals in 33 games across all competitions. He was also breathtaking in the European Under 21 Championship earlier this summer, scoring six goals in five games. Bayern have been publicly vocal about their desire to acquire Woltemade's services, but have seen two bids already being turned down by Stuttgart. Bayern's last offer was an improved bid of reportedly €50 million (£43m/$58m) plus €5m in bonuses, but Stuttgart remain firm on not entertaining offers less than €65m (£56m/$75m). The Bundesliga champions' inability to strike an agreement led sporting director Max Eberl to admit defeat, stating that the deal for Woltemade was now "off the table."

WHAT SEBASTIAN HOENESS SAID

Woltemade has pushed for Stuttgart to let him go, having already agreed terms with Bayern. Despite the stalemate, Hoeness has told that he has no doubts about the player's role heading into this week's game and the coming season. 

"A lot has been said about Nick, so I don't want to add much more," he said. "I've made it clear that I'm firmly planning on keeping him and that he'll play a very central role for us. After the last two years, in which we had to let go of key players several times, the goal was to keep the team together and even strengthen it. Nick is one of those who plays a central role. Everything else has been said."

He also addressed the ultimatum handed by Stuttgart CEO Alexander Wehrle to Bayern. Hoeness said: "The fact is that Alex has now spoken out. It's always important for us to have clarity. Apart from that, I have the feeling that Nick and everyone else handled it well."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR BAYERN MUNICH?

Die Roten will look to kick off their 2025–26 campaign on a high when they face Stuttgart in the DFL-Supercup final on Saturday. The match will also mark the competitive debut of new signing Luis Diaz, with sporting director Eberl confident that the Colombian winger will be part of one of the "most dangerous attacks" in Europe this season.

The new La Liga season has started in a disappointing fashion for Atletico Madrid, with Diego Simeone admitting he got things wrong.

Simeone admits tactical errors contributed to Atletico's opening defeatLost to EspanyolSimeone believes the loss will be a "learning experience" for himFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Simeone has admitted he made a tactical mistake in his side's 2-1 defeat to Espanyol on the opening day of the La Liga season. According to a report from Diario AS, Simeone reflected on his decision to substitute key players such as Thiago Almada, Alex Baena and Julian Alvarez, which he now believes was an error. The substitutions came with the score at 1-0 and 1-1, and Espanyol went on to score two second-half goals to secure the win.

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The defeat at the RCDE Stadium is a disappointing start to the 2025-26 campaign for Atletico, who have struggled on the road and failed to capitalise on a strong transfer window. Despite a number of new signings, including Giacomo Raspadori, Thiago Almada, Matteo Ruggeri, Marc Pubill, and Santiago Mourino, their familiar vulnerabilities reappeared. The loss marks the first time an Atletico side under Simeone has lost its opening league match.

WHAT SIMEONE SAID

Speaking after the match, Simeone said: "We lost the game, first of all. The result hurts us. But I, starting the season, need to hold on to the very good things that were seen. We need to be more efficient, we had Julian’s chance that could have been a goal after a good play by the team. Football is wonderful, they had that set piece and it was 1-1 and then 2-1 and we end up with zero points." On his substitutions, he added: "I think this has been a learning experience for myself. There is a learning for me, you’ll see."

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AFPWHAT NEXT FOR ATLETICO MADRID?

Atletico will aim to bounce back from this opening-day defeat when they host Elche in their first home fixture of the season on Saturday, August 23. The team will be keen to get their campaign on track at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano stadium. The match against Elche will be followed by a trip to Deportivo Alaves on August 30.

Newcastle could reportedly move for Dusan Vlahovic as Juventus hope for a late summer bid amid the ongoing Alexander Isak saga. The Serie A giants are reportedly keen to offload the Serbian striker, hoping to balance their financial books with a €38 million (£33m/$44m) sale.

Juventus hope for Newcastle bid for VlahovicIsak’s exit could pave the way for a dealVlahovic open to staying in TurinFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to Italian outlets and Tutto Juve, the Bianconeri believe that Vlahovic’s hefty wage demands have become a burden, and the club wants to reduce their financial strain. With AC Milan no longer pursuing the striker after their successful signing of Victor Boniface, Juventus have pinned their hopes on a potential Newcastle bid.

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Should Isak complete his move to Anfield, Newcastle would be left in urgent need of a replacement. That’s where Vlahovic comes into the picture, with Juventus hoping to take advantage of this opening in the final days of the transfer window.

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Despite Juventus’ efforts to move Vlahovic, the striker’s situation is far from straightforward. The 25-year-old has been adamant about his desire to stay in Turin until the end of his contract, which runs through the current season. Speaking to , journalist Fabiana Della Valle discussed Vlahovic’s professional attitude and clear ambitions for his future.

"Well, then I have to say that he doesn’t have any major problems in the locker room because he’s always been very professional in training, and he still is—Tudor said so, by the way,” he said.

“A few days ago, when the fans booed him during the friendly against Next Gen, he’s someone who makes his teammates like him. He was clear with Juventus, both he and his agent. They said they want to earn, and rightly so, the €12m he’s entitled to under his contract in his last season at Juventus. So, he doesn’t want to leave, he wants to stay until his contract expires, and he still has high ambitions. The Premier League, for example, is a destination he’d like, or maybe Spain with Real Madrid.”

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DID YOU KNOW?

With Callum Wilson departing the club and Alexander Isak’s potential exit looming, the Magpies are under pressure to secure a proven goal scorer. However, time is running out, and they may need to act fast if they want to add Vlahovic to their ranks. They have already seen their £40m ($54m) transfer bid for Brentford striker Yoane Wissa turned down, which further complicates matters for the Tyneside club. 

New Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike earned a late call-up to the France squad as he replaced the injured Rayan Cherki in the national team. Ekitike got off to a dream start to his Reds career as he scored two goals in his first couple of matches for the Reds in the Premier League. His efforts were duly recognised by Didier Deschamps and was included in the French side for their World Cup qualifiers.

Ekitike earns late France call-upCherki out with thigh injuryScored twice in first two Liverpool matchesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Ekitike scored in his first two Premier League appearances for Liverpool against Bournemouth and Newcastle and his red-hot form has helped the striker earn a late call-up to the France national team after Manchester City's Rayan Cherki withdrew due to a severe injury.

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Cherki, along with Phil Foden, missed the trip to Brighton on Sunday after sustaining a thigh injury. After the Cityzens went down 2-1 against the Seagulls at Amex Stadium, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed the former Lyon star has been ruled out of action for two months. The Spanish coach told reporters: "He’s out for two months. Seven or eight weeks."

DID YOU KNOW?

Ekitike, who has dual French-Cameroonian nationality, had the chance to play for the African nation but snubbed them and chose the European one.

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Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR EKITIKE?

The 23-year-old will hope to earn his maiden international cap during France's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine and Iceland on September 5 and 9 respectively.

Neymar has contradicted Carlo Ancelotti’s explanation for his Brazil absence, claiming that snub has “nothing to do with my physical condition”.

Santos superstar overlooked for qualifiersEager to grace World Cup finals next summerAdamant that he is nursing on injury issuesFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

The 33-year-old superstar was one of several household names to be left out of the latest Selecao squad. Neymar is back in his homeland at Santos and eager to grace the World Cup finals next summer.

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He will not be gracing the final rounds of qualifiers ahead of that event, with Brazil already assured of their tickets to FIFA’s flagship event, with the decision taken to leave him out of meetings with Chile and Bolivia.

DID YOU KNOW?

Ancelotti claimed that Neymar was overlooked due to another knock, with the Italian coach saying: “Neymar isn't in this second squad because he had a minor problem last week, but he doesn't need to prove anything. Everyone knows Neymar, the national team, and all the Brazilian fans. Neymar, like everyone else, needs to be in good physical shape to help the team perform well and try to give their best at the World Cup.”

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GettyWHAT NEYMAR SAID

Neymar insists he is fully fit, telling reporters after lining up against fellow Brazil legend Thiago Silva in Santos’ goalless draw with Fluminense: “I had swelling in my adductor muscle. It was annoying, but nothing serious, I even played today. Against Bahia, I wasn't going to play (suspension) so they preferred to keep me out of training so I could recover.

“I think I was left out (by Brazil) for technical reasons, I think it has nothing to do with my physical condition.”

South Africa’s batsmen are yet to make a hundred in the Test series, but they have scored seven 50-plus scores in the two Tests to India’s two, with most of their top order contributing runs at vital times

Firdose Moonda21-Jan-2018They say catches win matches, and we know wickets win matches but what about centuries? Do they also win matches?Instinct would say yes; evidence would say hell, yes, but South Africa’s recent performances against India also says hundreds are not essential to victory, not even to a series victory.The only three-figure score across the first two matches is Virat Kohli’s at Centurion, where he made up half his team’s first-innings score and took them to within 28 runs of South Africa’s.But it has not been enough. India have only one other individual score over 50; South Africa have seven in all, from five different players, and have totaled over 250 three times in four innings. India have only crossed 250 once and Faf du Plessis has hailed the team effort his men have put in to collectively crush the top-ranked Test side. “We feel as an opposition that India is very reliant on Virat to score runs,” du Plessis said. “So, that’s the difference. AB [de Villiers] has scored runs, Dean [Elgar], Aiden [Markram], I’ve scored runs. Everyone has chipped in.”De Villiers’ runs have included a tempo-changing 65 and 35 at Newlands and an impressive 80 in the second innings in Centurion when South Africa were reeling at 3 for 2, their lead only 31. He has made the biggest impact of South Africa’s batsmen but other contributions have mattered too. Du Plessis’ 62 was the steadying hand in Cape Town, when South Africa were reduced to 12 for 3, Markram’s 94 and Hashim Amla’s 80 allowed South Africa to set up well in Centurion, and Elgar’s 61 in the second innings at SuperSport Park sunk an anchor while de Villiers made waves at the other end.What’s interesting to note is that batsmen of different styles have scored runs for South Africa. Markram is aggressive in his run-scoring approach but Elgar is a grinder with a temperament similar to his opening predecessor Graeme Smith’s; Amla is known for attractive stroke-play, de Villiers has become even more forceful than before, and du Plessis remains the master of the blockathon while somehow managing to add runs at the same time.Du Plessis spoke about these differences as being the ability of his players to recognise their roles. Not everybody can be de Villiers and set the stadium alight and Elgar, for one, has understood that. “Those small nitty-gritty 70s, 80s, all count as well. In a close series like this, those are the knocks that are going to come in handy,” Elgar said.But the purists may still want to see a South African hundred in this series, especially as the Australia Tests loom and because a lack of big scores has been a problem for South Africa in recent times. There was only centurion in England last winter and only one in New Zealand in March. Both times that person was Elgar.Last year’s statistics are skewed by the 11 centuries South Africa scored in home series against Sri Lanka over the 2016-17 summer – five hundreds to five different players in three Tests – and Bangladesh in September-October last year where six hundreds were scored, two each by Elgar and Amla and one each by Markram and du Plessis.In those series, which were played at home against subcontinental opposition, on pitches that were mostly placid, especially against Bangladesh, and the opposition attacks barely barked, never mind bit.This contest against India is proving far tougher. Conditions have been tougher to bat in, and the Indian attack has mostly lived up to its billing of being the most varied and challenging to tour South Africa. Bhuvneshwar Kumar was particularly tough to play at Newlands and puzzlingly dropped in Centurion while Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Hardik Pandya have all asked some questions of South Africa. Of particular interest is how they have kept Quinton de Kock – the only batsmen not to score a fifty – quiet. De Kock’s struggles against offspin are becoming a matter that needs addressing but R Ashwin has only dismissed him once. The other three times, he has been drawn forward, once trapped lbw and twice nicked off, and his lack of footwork is the more pertinent issue.All that may be secondary to proceedings at the Wanderers next week, where a fire-and-brimstone surface is being prepared and the chances of most batsmen reaching a century severely diminished. But one group of people who will be interested in South Africa’s batting performance are timezones away in Australia. Steven Smith and co will travel to these shores in six weeks’ time for a four-Test series that will no doubt be billed as a battle of the quicks (and Smith v de Villiers), and there, centuries may really win matches.

The legspinner will miss the remainder of England’s tour after landing heavily in the field

ESPNcricinfo staffUpdated on 02-Apr-2024England legspinner Sarah Glenn has been released from the ODI squad for the remainder of their tour of New Zealand after suffering a concussion during the T20I leg.Glenn picked up the concussion when she landed heavily after dropping a catch in the third T20I in Nelson. She did not immediately leave the field and came on to bowl the next over but then went off. At the change of innings she was subbed out for Holly Armitage.Glenn missed the final two T20Is of England’s 4-1 series win, and could only have been available for the third and final ODI in Hamilton on April 7 after following the ECB Graded Return to Play Protocols.Now, however, it has been confirmed that she will return home early, after it was decided that she would not be fit to feature at any stage of the series. No replacement has been called up.England were able to replace Glenn with leading spinner Sophie Ecclestone in Wellington after the players who had featured in the WPL became available. Alongside Ecclestone, that included Danni Wyatt, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Alice Capsey, who all played the fourth T20I which saw England wrap up the series with a commanding 47-run victory.Offspinner Charlie Dean claimed four wickets in the fourth T20I, and followed that with an impressive allround display in the first ODI in Wellington, where she and Amy Jones combined in an unbeaten 130-run stand for the seventh wicket to seal a tight four-wicket win.When everyone is available England could field a strong spin attack of Dean, Ecclestone and Glenn, supplemented by captain Heather Knight, which bodes well for their prospects at the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.Meanwhile, New Zealand have an injury concern of their own after captain Sophie Devine sustained a quad strain in Wellington which has so far ruled her out of the final T20I and the first ODI as well.This story was updated on April 2, following confirmation of Glenn’s release from England’s squad

Which players are the highest run-scorers and wicket-takers in the 2024 IPL?

ESPNcricinfo staffUpdated on 27-May-2024Who is the orange cap holder in the 2024 IPL?Virat Kohli is the highest run-scorer in the 2024 IPL. He finished the season on 741 runs after scoring 33 in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s defeat in the Eliminator against Rajasthan Royals. In second place is Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai Super Kings’ captain, who finished his season with 583 runs. At No. 3 is Riyan Parag of Royals, who added only six runs to his tally in his team’s loss in the second Qualifier, against Sunrisers Hyderabad. Travis Head of SRH, who was out for a first-ball duck in the IPL final against Kolkata Knight Riders, is next, with 567 runs.