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With a crucial trip to The Etihad fast-approaching, Liverpool will have to square off against Manchester City in the absence of one particular ace as Cody Gakpo also faces a late fitness call.

Liverpool injury news

Whilst it’s far from time to panic for Liverpool, cracks are beginning to appear in Arne Slot’s side for the first time in his debut campaign. Wednesday’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa was as frustrating as it gets as they dropped points for the second time in three Premier League games and Darwin Nunez stole the headlines for all the wrong reasons once again.

As Diogo Jota and Nunez stumbled in front of goal, it looked clearer than it has been all season just how reliant Liverpool are on Mohamed Salah, who scored and assisted yet again to drag Slot’s frontline to a point at Villa Park.

What then compounded a difficult evening was another injury blow. Already, the Reds are set to be without Joe Gomez for almost the rest of the campaign, whilst Gakpo faces a race to make his return against Manchester City after missing the last two games. Now, Slot has a fresh injury concern.

As confirmed by the Dutchman, Conor Bradley is now set to miss the Manchester City game and the Newcastle United game in midweek at the very minimum after being forced off through injury not long after emerging from the bench against Aston Villa.

Related Outclassed by Tielemans & Rogers: Slot let down by 4/10 Liverpool star

The Liverpool midfielder was outclassed by Aston Villa’s star duo in the middle of the park.

Posts 1 ByDan Emery Feb 20, 2025

Slot told reporters: “No [clarity], he still has to come in. I would be surprised if he is involved Sunday or against Newcastle. Joe Gomez has had surgery, out for a long time, maybe back before the end of the season. Jota and Trent didn’t play 90 because they have only just come back.”

"Complete" Bradley's injury comes at worst time

With another crucial week approaching at the end of a gruelling run of fixtures for Liverpool, Bradley’s injury has come at the worst time.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold only able to play around an hour against Villa, himself, it’s clear that the Northern Ireland international would have had a role to play against both Manchester City and Newcastle. Now, Slot must turn towards an Alexander-Arnold who may not be ready for back-to-back 90 minutes.

In truth, it’s been a frustrating season for Bradley following an impressive breakthrough last time out. Disrupted by injuries, the right-back has only been able to show Slot glimpses of what he’s capable of.

It sums up just how much potential the academy graduate has, however, that even in those smaller glimpses he has stood out to earn praise from the likes of Jacek Kulig. The football talent scout dubbed Bradley “the definition of a complete full-back” following his performance against Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup earlier this month.

Glasgow Rangers’ transfer activity during the winter window consisted of just one signing, as defender Rafael Fernandes arrived at Ibrox on a six-month loan deal with an option to buy.

It was perhaps not the most inspiring window, but if Fernandes impresses, he will be another talented youngster with the potential to make the club a significant profit in the coming years.

Bridging the financial gap between them and Celtic is the main aim, especially with the Parkhead side benefiting from the Champions League windfall gained due to making it past the league phase.

Philippe Clement did manage to get another deal completed before the transfer window closed, although the Light Blues will have to wait until the summer to see the fruits of their labour.

Dundee midfielder Lyall Cameron signed a pre-contract agreement with the Ibrox side, and the move could turn into a smart piece of business.

“I am delighted that we have agreed a deal for Lyall to join the club and to continue his career at Rangers come the summer,” said Technical Director Nils Koppen after the deal was announced.

“Lyall has a lot of potential and I look forward to seeing him continue to grow at Rangers in the coming years.”

Why did Rangers sign Lyall Cameron?

Adding another home-grown player is vital for the club, especially regarding European squad quotas – and Cameron fits the bill perfectly.

His ability to push forward from the heart of the midfield could give Clement’s side something extra, especially given his recent displays at Dens Park.

Indeed, across 30 matches in all competitions, Cameron has registered 15 goal contributions – eight goals and seven assists – ranking him as the third-highest goalscorer in the squad this term.

Furthermore, Cameron has also created four big chances in the top flight, averages 1.6 key passes and wins 3.8 total duels per game, demonstrating his talents across a range of performance metrics.

Of course, if he is to succeed at Rangers, performing to a consistent level will be key as there are so many talented players in his position.

However, the 22-year-old will be a solid option to call upon, and his wages are likely to be lower than someone like Kieran Dowell, who has offered nothing since joining the Gers.

Goals

5

Assists

4

Big chances created

4

Key passes per game

1.6

Ground duels won per game

3.1

Shots per game

1.5

Via Sofascore

This philosophy might take some time to pay off, but if Clement can build a squad full of exceptionally talented players with a few experienced heads scattered throughout, it could soon prove to be successful.

The manager must also start to utilise the talent that is emerging from the academy, as there are several players there who could save the manager millions in the transfer market.

Bailey Rice and Findlay Curtis are two superb youngsters who have a bright future ahead of them if they can forge their way into securing regular minutes for the first team.

That said, the Gers did sell a youngster who was earmarked as the next big thing at Ibrox. Alex Lowry may have been their own Cameron if he had a better mentality.

Rangers already had their Lyall Cameron

Considering how well his Ibrox career began, seeing Alex Lowry depart Rangers without living up to his full potential will pain the majority of supporters.

Having not made a first-team appearance for the club this season, it looked as though Clement was likely to sell Lowry if a suitable offer arrived during the winter window.

English League One side Wycombe Wanderers agreed a fee with the Light Blues and the midfielder left Glasgow to kickstart his career down south.

Hopefully, he gets the chance to perform, as there is no doubt Lowry has exceptional ability which should have seen him become a success at Rangers.

Why Lowry could have been a success at Rangers

Having impressed for the youth sides, Lowry’s big break came during a Scottish Cup clash against Stirling Albion in January 2022, although it was due to unfortunate circumstances.

Ianis Hagi suffered a season-ending knee injury and Lowry came on in his place. It only took a few minutes, but the 18-year-old slotted home the opener to enjoy a stunning debut, and it looked like a star was born.

He made another six appearances for the Gers between then and the end of the campaign, scoring another goal while grabbing two assists in the process.

The teenager was even named on the bench for the Europa League final against Eintracht Frankfurt, although he failed to make it onto the pitch.

These impressive displays should have been the catalyst for Lowry to make more inroads into the first team during the 2022/23 season, yet he managed to feature just seven times for the Ibrox side in all competitions.

He was praised by former teammate Rory Wilson for being “top-class” in 2023, but it was clear opportunities were required if he was to make the grade at Rangers.

A loan spell at Hearts during the first half of last season saw Lowry register five goal contributions – four assists and a goal – in 17 appearances, yet he started just 11 times for the Tynecastle side in total.

Clement recalled the youngster last January due to him suffering an injury, but he didn’t make a first-team appearance for the Light Blues until he was sold a few weeks ago.

Having all the talent in the world is great, but if the mentality to succeed and become the best you can be isn’t there, then that talent is ultimately wasted.

Lowry now has a second chance to succeed in the senior game by moving to Wycombe, a place where the pressure won’t be nearly as great as it is at Ibrox, even if the Chairboys are chasing promotion to the English Championship.

If he can secure a consistent run of games in the senior side between now and May, Lowry might just fulfil his vast potential, no doubt about that.

Clement has struck gold on Rangers' star who's worth 5x more than Cameron

Rangers have hit the jackpot on a player who is worth millions more than Lyall Cameron.

ByRoss Kilvington Feb 8, 2025

Leeds have confirmed they have sold a £10m defender who has been on their books since 2022 to Eintracht Frankfurt.

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• Leeds confirm sale of defender
• Was signed for £10m in 2022
• Set to play against Tottenham

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• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rasmus Kristensen was loaned to the Bundesliga side last summer and a permanent move has now been agreed for an undisclosed fee. He has been a fixture for his new club, playing 26 times this season.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Kristensen signed for Leeds in 2022 as Jesse Marsch looked to assemble a squad that could survive relegation in the Premier League. United did go down that year, though, and the full-back spent the 2023-24 campaign at Roma before switching to Germany for this season.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Kristensen is set to play his first match as a permanent Eintracht player against Tottenham in the Europa League on Thursday. He played 90 minutes last week as his side secured a 1-1 draw that puts them in a good position ahead of the second leg on their own patch.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR LEEDS?

  Leeds have long since got used to the fact that Kristensen no longer features for them and have other things to worry about, sitting top of the Championship with four matches to play. Daniel Farke's side know that a maximum of three wins from their final four games will see them promoted to the Premier League.

Laura Wolvaardt is in search of big runs as South Africa look to turn around a disappointing tour of England ahead of the Commonwealth Games.Wolvaardt was one of three South African players to post half-centuries on an excellent batting pitch in Leicester on Monday, but they were trumped by Tammy Beaumont’s 107-ball 119 and fifties to Emma Lamb, Heather Knight and Sophia Dunkley as England won the final ODI by 109 runs.Related

• 'Have to find a way to deal with things' – Goodall on South Africa's six-match losing streak

• Kapp: Lizelle Lee's retirement has been 'mentally tough' for SA

• van Niekerk out of CWG too, Luus to continue as South Africa captain

• Beaumont banishes pain of CWG omission with statement century

Wolvaardt’s 56 was her third ODI half-century in four games, including 89 against Ireland last month – it was also the ninth time she has passed the mark this year. But she is desperate to convert those innings into hundreds, as she did at home against West Indies in January.”I’ve got quite a few fifties in my career now and don’t have that many hundreds yet so it’s definitely something that I’ve been thinking about and obviously it didn’t go right today again,” Wolvaardt said.”I’m happy that I’m starting to start a bit faster. I’m getting to the fifties a bit quicker, but now, the next step is to try and take it further.”Encouraged by the fact that her back-to-back fifties in the last two ODIs against England have come at a strike rate above 100, Wolvaardt believes kicking on may be more of a psychological matter than a technical one.”It’s maybe just something that I’m going to have to look into, to try and restart or pretend that I’m on zero and have to get to fifty again,” she said.”I think it is a mental thing out in the middle. I feel I do all of the hard work to get to fifty and then I think maybe relax for a second too much. I think next time I get in there I just need to really focus harder to get to that hundred.”Also I don’t think it’s a lack-of-focus type of thing, but hopefully it’s just something that I can continue working on. I’m still quite young so I still have a bit of time hopefully. But yeah, it definitely will be a goal to try and get to three figures more often.”In T20Is, which is where the teams will now switch their focus for three matches which end their multi-format series and double as preparation for the Commonwealth Games starting next week, Wolvaardt only has three fifties from 36 appearances. The most recent of those came against India in Lucknow more than a year ago.South Africa must win all three T20s against England, starting with Thursday’s match in Chelmsford, to draw the multi-format series, with England leading 8-2 following their 3-0 sweep of the ODIs and the drawn Test.After providing a solid contest in the rain-hit Test – where Wolvaardt twice fell for 16 to debutant seamer Issy Wong – South Africa appear a more demoralised unit after struggling to compete in the ODIs. They have also had to contend with the shock retirement of Lizelle Lee, Wolvaardt’s former 50-over opening partner, and an ensuing social media furore.Wolvaardt acknowledged that the team needed to find a way to pick themselves up heading into the next phase of the tour.”It’s never nice to lose and especially… we’ve lost the last couple by 100 runs or something,” Wolvaardt said. “The T20 series is just around the corner so we’ll have to have some good, hard meetings to see where we’re going wrong and how we can come back refreshed and ready.”This was our last ODI for a long while so I think we’ll just be looking to be completely refreshed with a new focus to T20 cricket and have some good chats around that. That’s going to be our focus for a while going forward so hopefully we can start that off with a bit more momentum than what we have now.”

Manchester United have made another approach to sign a fresh face to bolster their midfield ranks as they look to turn their poor form under Ruben Amorim around, according to a new report.

Manchester United struggling under Amorim

Despite the arrival of Amorim in November, things have not improved for United so far this season. Though they battled to a 2-2 draw with Premier League leaders Liverpool in their most recent outing, the point stretched their winless run to five games, having lost the previous four.

It also means that Amorim has won just two of his opening nine Premier League games, and he opened the door to potential relegation with his side currently just nine points clear of the drop zone in 13th place, the lowest they have ever been at this stage of a campaign.

“I think that it is a possibility. We have to be clear with our fans”, the new Red Devils head coach explained. “It is a really difficult moment, one of the more difficult moments in the history of Manchester United and we have to address it with honesty.”

One of the biggest problems has been in central midfield, where both Casemiro and Christian Eriksen are the wrong side of their peak and lack the energy required for Amorim’s high-press 3-4-2-1 system.

The pairing of Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte appears to provide a solution to this, with the younger duo working well in tandem against Liverpool and Mainoo’s introduction proving a key turning point in the defeat to Newcastle the game before. However, the club undoubtedly needs more investment in that area, and now they could have identified their man.

Manchester United make new approach for Wolves midfielder

That comes as a fresh report from TEAMtalk claims that Manchester United have once again asked Wolves for details over a potential move to sign Joao Gomes in the upcoming transfer windows.

The Red Devils have held a long-term interest in the Brazilian no.8, having chased him before they ultimately opted to sign Ugarte over the summer.

That interest clearly remains, and with Wolves currently battling relegation the club could be sniffing a potential bargain at Molineux. Described by Football Analyst Ben Mattinson as a “serious player”, Gomes still has three and a half years left to run on his £30,000 a week deal in the Midlands, but is unlikely to stick around should the Old Gold find themselves in England’s second tier.

Premier League 24/25 stats

Joao Gomes

Manuel Ugarte

Casemiro

Kobbie Mainoo

Appearances

19

14

14

14

Goals and Assists

3

0

1

0

Pass Accuracy

84.2%

90.4%

79.3%

86.6%

Tackles and interceptions per 90

4.19

5.73

5.05

4.02

Yellow Cards

6

5

1

5

However, any deal is unlikely to happen this winter, with the report claiming that Wolves are “not open to considering selling him this transfer window” save for “a huge offer”, something that Manchester United are unlikely to be able to put together given their well-documented financial issues.

Should he become available this summer, Manchester United are unlikely to be the only side keen to sign him, but he could prove a massive upgrade on their current options in midfield and offer some more much-needed energy to Ruben Amorim’s ranks.

يستكمل منتخب مصر للشباب، مشواره في بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا تحت 20 عامًا، بمواجهة سيراليون، مساء اليوم الأربعاء، في ثاني مبارياته للمسابقة القارية.

ويلتقي منتخب مصر مع سيراليون، في إطار الجولة الثانية من عمر مواجهات مرحلة المجموعات لبطولة أمم إفريقيا المقامة في مصر.

ويتواجد منتخب مصر في المجموعة الأولى لـ كأس أمم إفريقيا، بجانب زامبيا وسيراليون وتنزانيا وجنوب إفريقيا.

وكان منتخب مصر، فاز في مواجهة الجولة الأولى من بطولة كأس أمم إفريقيا على جنوب إفريقيا بهدف دون رد، ليتصدر ترتيب المجموعة بـ 3 نقاط.

طالع | لاعب منتخب مصر يغيب عن مباراة سيراليون في كأس أمم إفريقيا للشباب

واستقر أسامة نبيه، المدير الفني لـ منتخب مصر، على تشكيل الفراعنة الصغار لمواجهة سيراليون، حيث سيدفع باللاعب المحترف ضمن صفوف أستون فيلا عمر خضر، بالإضافة إلى محمد عبد الله صاحب هدف الفوز على جنوب إفريقيا من بداية اللقاء، بعدما كان احتياطيًا في اللقاء الأول. تشكيل منتخب مصر المتوقع أمام سيراليون اليوم في كأس أمم إفريقيا للشباب

حراسة المرمى: عبد المنعم تامر.

خط الدفاع: محمد سمير وعبدالله بوستنجي وأحمد عابدين ومهاب سامي.

خط الوسط: أحمد خالد كاباكا ومحمد السيد وأحمد وحيد.

خط الهجوم: محمد عبدالله ومحمد زعلوك وعمر خضر.

It says a lot that there was a feeling of deflation around Parkhead at full-time on Wednesday night, with Celtic forced to settle for a point following what was an even affair with Belgian side, Club Brugge.

While that 1-1 draw may appear like two points dropped for the Hoops – particularly after dispatching RB Leipzig last time out on home soil – it a sign of the club’s growing strength in the Champions League that such a result was viewed with frustration, rather than positivity.

Of course, a place in the play-off round is far from secure, although it is worth remembering that the Old Firm side are just two points off the top eight, having also found themselves above the likes of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, no less.

Faced with a Brugge side who saw off Premier League high-flyers Aston Villa prior to the international break, the hosts can be encouraged by their display, with a handful of individuals having caught the eye across the park.

Celtic's best performers vs Brugge

There’s no getting away from it, this was not Brendan Rodgers’ men at their free-flowing best, with it having taken the half-time interval for the home side to truly get going against the Pro League outfit.

Unsurprisingly, among the catalysts after the break was that man Daizen Maeda, with the relentless forward curling home the effort that his performance deserved, having defended from the front in remarkable fashion.

Elsewhere, a word must also be said for the ever-reliable skipper, with Callum McGregor pulling the strings in the centre of the park, enjoying a staggering 95% pass accuracy from his deep-lying midfield berth, as per Sofascore.

The long-serving playmaker provided that much-needed experience in the heart of the Celtic side, with veteran asset Kasper Schmeichel also again making his mark in the sticks, having made three key saves, while also enjoying a 98% pass accuracy of his own.

That said, it was another new arrival who undoubtedly stole the show, even ahead of that man Maeda…

Celtic's hero vs Brugge

Usually unflappable, Cameron Carter-Vickers had a night to forget following his freak own goal midway through the first-half, with the United States international producing an errant back-pass to gift the visitors the advantage.

Thankfully for the former Tottenham Hotspur man, that early error did not impact the rest of his performance, with the Celtic backline largely holding firm from then on, not least due to his international colleague, Auston Trusty.

The £6m summer signing has now firmly ousted Liam Scales from that left centre-back berth and it’s clear to see why, with the 26-year-old having been simply “tremendous” again on the night, in the words of journalist Ryan McGinley.

Stat

Highest ranking

Most touches

Cameron Carter-Vickers (160)

Highest pass accuracy

Adam Idah (5/5 – 100%)

Most key passes

Christos Tzolis (4)

Ground duels won

Maxim De Cuyper (7/7)

Aerial duels won

Carter-Vickers (7/8)

Clearances

Joaquin Seys (8)

Most tackles

De Cuyper & Onyedika (3)

Possession lost

Nicolas Kuhn (23)

Notably among the key performers in the triumph over Leipzig, the ex-Sheffield United man was again a man mountain at the back, winning 100% of his aerial duels, as well as winning three of his five ground duels.

For a player who had never played in the Champions League prior to this season, the American has largely taken to Europe’s premier competition like a duck to water, having showcased his composure in possession after racking up a mammoth haul of 133 touches, as well as recording a 97% pass accuracy rate.

After a period of so much turbulence in the centre-back ranks in recent years – amid the failed signings of the likes of Maik Nawrocki, Gustav Lagerbielke and Yuki Kobayashi, just to name a few – Trusty is, as his name suggests, now a trusted performer for Rodgers and co.

Performance in Numbers

Want data and stats? Football FanCast's Performance in Numbers series provides you with the latest match analysis from across Europe.

The horror-show in Dortmund aside, the one-time Arsenal man is now part of a defence that looks unlikely to crumble on the big stage, with the Glasgow giants finally having a solid defensive foundation to build on.

Three crucial Champions League fixtures lie ahead to decide Celtic’s fate – does the knockout stage beckon?

Worse than Carter-Vickers: Rodgers must drop Celtic man who won 0 duels

The Celtic attacker did not enjoy a successful evening at Parkhead against Club Brugge.

1 ByDan Emery Nov 28, 2024

Manchester United and Ruben Amorim want to sign a “special” £70 million star in January after holding more talks over a deal, according to a new report.

Preparations at Carrington are well underway, as Amorim gets ready for his first game in charge of the Red Devils, which comes on Sunday against Ipswich Town. January is still a month and a bit away, but since Amorim’s arrival was confirmed, United have been linked with a host of potential signings.

Fabrizio Romano says Amorim "loves" Man Utd player who is yet to make debut

Ruben Amorim has undertaken his first Man United training session and loves one key player.

ByBrett Worthington Nov 19, 2024 Latest Man Utd news

Amorim got training underway as United’s new head coach on Monday, after waiting for his visa to be confirmed. The Portuguese has had to work with a limited group of players due to the international break, but he will be hoping everyone is back at Carrington by Thursday at the latest.

One player who has been part of the training group since the beginning of the week is defender Leny Yoro, and Amorim is said to already “love” the Frenchman. Yoro has yet to make his competitive debut for the club due to an injury he picked up in pre-season, but he could be in line to make the matchday squad on Sunday, as he eyes a return to fitness. Yoro has been in training for a few weeks now, and despite not being at the club for long, Amorim already loves him and Kobbie Mainoo and sees them as the future of the club.

Fabrizio Romano said: “Kobbie Mainoo is a crucial player for Manchester United owners, directors, and for Manchester United staff. Ruben Amorim loves these kind of players. Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro, these sort of players are exactly the direction he wants to take for Man United’s future.

“So the new contract of Mainoo is going to be an important topic in the next few weeks and months. Man United are still working on it. We are not yet at the final stages, but the conversation remains ongoing, and the conversation remains positive on both player and club sides.”

While Amorim loves Yoro, the Portuguese and Man United also have their eye on another defender, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for some time now.

Man Utd and Amorim want Branthwaite in January after talks held

According to The Daily Mail’s Confidential, Manchester United are still keen on signing Jarrad Branthwaite from Everton in January and tops the club’s Christmas list of targets. The 22-year-old has been with the Toffees since 2020, but it is only in recent years that he has been given a chance in the first team, which he has taken and performed very well.

Branthwaite, who has been described as “special” in the past by Jamie Carragher, stepped up to the first team at Goodison Park last season, playing 35 games in the Premier League and scoring three goals in the process. The centre-back hasn’t featured as much this season due to an injury but did start the last game against West Ham.

This report states United have held more talks in recent weeks about the possibility of making a January move for Branthwaite. The Red Devils are looking to operate on a more restrictive budget going forward, but the defender has plenty of admirers from Old Trafford, and there is a sense of urgency around this deal, given there are plenty of other teams interested in his services.

Apps

58

Goals

4

Assists

1

United saw several bids rejected during the summer, and since then, Branthwaite has refused to sign a new contract at Everton, as they remain firm on their £70 million valuation. Sporting director Dan Ashworth is said to be the driving force behind the deal, but United have to find ways of generating the funds for Amorim so they don’t break financial fair play rules.

وجه إبراهيم نور الدين، المدير الفني السابق للجنة الحكام، رسالة إلى المهندس خالد عبد العزيز رئيس المجلس الأعلى للإعلام، وذلك بعد إلغاء فقرة القرارات التحكيمية.

وكان مجلس الإعلام قد أصدر قراراً في وقتٍ سابق، بإلغاء فقرة تحليل الأداء التحكيمى بجميع مسمياتها سواء داخل البرامج التليفزيونية أو أي برنامج آخر والتي تُعرض على جميع الوسائل الإعلامية المرئية والمسموعة والمواقع الإلكترونية والتطبيقات والمنصات.

وقال إبراهيم نور الدين في تصريحات عبر إذاعة راديو “أون سبورت”: “هناك الكثير من الضغوط تُمارس على الحكام والتحكيم بشكل عام بقصد أو من غير قصد”.

طالع أيضاً.. رسميًا | الزمالك يوجه طلبًا عاجلًا للمحكمة الفيدرالية

وتابع: “أشكر المهندس خالد عبد العزيز على دعمه للتحكيم المصري بإلغاء الفقرة التحكيمية، وأصبح الآن أن الحكام ليس عليهم ضغوط، كما كان من قبل، لذلك يجب أن ينعكس ذلك على الحكام”.

وأتم: “يجب على الجميع ألا يتحدث عن التحكيم ولا القرارات التحكيمية، والمقصود من ذلك هو أن نعود بالتحكيم كما كان في سابق عهده، ويجب أن نتكاتف جميعاً، لكي نخرج من تلك الأزمة”.

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Carregado por expectativa desde que deu os primeiros passos na equipe sub-15 do Alvinegro, Matheus passou por altos e baixos na temporada passada, mas parece ter se tornado uma opção recorrente no time principal em 2022. A diferença do atacante de um ano para cá? A esperança por mais chances.

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– Aquele gol lá foi o primeiro (contra o Macaé), eu estava muito nervoso (risos). Tive uma sequência no Carioca, consegui entrar, fiz aquele gol mas aí voltei para a base, para o sub-20, joguei boa parte do Brasileiro (sub-20). Acabou a temporada e eu subi para o profissional no final do ano, tive poucas oportunidades no ano passado com o Enderson mas conversei com ele (ex-técnico) e agora estou tendo oportunidade para seguir firme – afirmou.

Alívio. Matheus Nascimento ‘lavou a alma’ naquela noite no Estádio Nilton Santos. Os dois gols tiraram a responsabilidade das costas do garoto, que vinha de boas atuações mas ainda não tinha balançado as redes.

–Fico feliz com todo o apoio que a torcida está me dando, nunca tinha recebido isso na minha vida. Fazer dois gols, sair ovacionado pelos torcedores… Cheguei aqui no clube e todos estavam felizes por mim. Esses gols estavam demorando a sair, mas graças a Deus saiu. Agora é continuar focado no trabalho para todo mundo continuar acreditando no meu trabalho – completou.

O Botafogo confia em Matheus. Não à toa, a diretoria recusou uma investida de um clube português por ele no ano passado – o valor já seria mais que suficiente para o atleta se tornar a maior venda da história do Alvinegro. O camisa 90 afirma que não pensa nisso. O hoje é o que importa.

–O pessoal daqui me ajuda bastante com tudo isso, minha família também é muito tranquila. Eu não me vejo como a “maior venda da história”, não fico pensando nisso porque sei que isso só vai me atrapalhar. Eu só foco no momento – explicou.

DA BASE AO PROFISSIONAL: REALIDADE DIFERENTE
Matheus Nascimento tem quase 200 gols nas categorias de base do Botafogo. Desde a categoria sub-12, ele se acostumou a vestir camisa 9, guiar o sistema ofensivo e balançar as redes com frequência. Mas a realidade do jogo nos profissionais bateu de forma diferente.

+ Inspirado no Manchester City, John Textor quer que o Botafogo tenha ‘identidade definida’ em cinco anos

Acostumado a ter os holofotes, Matheus conheceu algo que nunca havia vivenciado: o jejum de gols. No ano passado, foi uma bola na rede em 29 jogos disputados – alguns deles, é verdade, entrando nos minutos finais do segundo tempo dos duelos.

–Eu sou acostumado a fazer muito gol. Na base eu fazia gol em quase todo jogo e chegou aqui no profissional é algo totalmente diferente. Eu tenho uma quantidade de jogos, não consegui fazer e realmente me senti um pouco pressionado com isso. Tentei me pressionar pra melhorar e tentar fazer esse gol, é importante – pontuou.

A diferença do jogo entre o plantel profissional e os times inferiores passa pela forma e julgamento que um equívoco pode trazer, acredita Matheus. O atacante, que tem idade para jogar no time sub-17 do Botafogo, vê que uma jogada errada pode desestabilizar.

–Sempre tem uma pressãozinha a mais porque a base é totalmente diferente do profissional. Muitas pessoas acham que tu chega na base, joga, sobe pro profissional e vai jogar a mesma coisa. Não é assim, é totalmente diferente. Uma falha no profissional é um erro gigante, mas chega na base não dá em praticamente nada. Eu sempre tento manter o foco e errar o menos possível – completou.

MAIS DECLARAÇÕES DE MATHEUS NASCIMENTO
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Ter voltado para o sub-20 no ano passado
–Não fiquei chateado porque quando eu descia eu conseguia jogar e isso era o que eu mais queria, mostrar meu futebol. Eu sei que era importante eu estar aqui (profissional), mas era melhor estar jogando para não perder o ritmo.

Pressão
–A comissão toda me ajuda sobre isso, sempre pedem para que eu entre tranquilo e deixar meu futebol fluir. O Paulo (Ribeiro) psicólogo sempre está presente, todo mundo é bem tranquilo comigo. Não botam pressão nenhuma em mim.

Se sente confiante?
–Foi um peso nas costas (fazer o gol), mas eu estava ciente de tudo. Mesmo se eu não tivesse feito o gol eu tentaria aquela letra (segundo gol contra o Nova Iguaçu) porque eu estava confiante. Eu tento fazer o que eu faço nos treinos e deu certo (risos).

Qual a importância do Botafogo na sua vida?
–Meus pais nunca me colocaram pressão nenhuma, são muito tranquilos. Cheguei com 12 anos no Botafogo, comecei com 8 no Trops. O Botafogo me ajudou a crescer como um homem na vida, sei que sou novo ainda (risos), mas cresci muito como homem.

Como foi depois do jogo contra o Nova Iguaçu?
–Fiquei muito muito feliz, nem consegui dormir direito, na verdade nem dormi (risos). Muita mensagem chegando, pessoas elogiando. Fiquei contente com tudo isso. Esse carinho me motiva porque eu quero isso tudo de novo, quero receber mais elogios, é só motivação.

O que acha de John Textor?
–Ainda não tive contato com ele mas vejo que é uma pessoa muito boa que faz de tudo para ajudar o nosso clube.

Quem é o próximo jogador da base a aparecer no profissional?
–O Kauê, 2004, volante. Joguei um bom tempo com ele, joguei na Seleção com ele, ganhamos Sul-Americano juntos, ganhamos títulos no Botafogo… Ele é um ótimo jogador.

No que precisa melhorar?
–Sim, é um ponto que eu preciso melhorar. Tenho que pegar mais massa porque minha posição exige muito disso. Os zagueiros geralmente são fortes e altos então eu preciso disso para acrescentar e ganhar duelos.

–Me sinto muito mais forte, vejo um aumento de massa. O Dailson (equipe de fisiologia do Botafogo) mostra sempre os ganhos que a gente tem, estou acompanhando e tem um aumento sim.

Recebe algo diferente por ser tratado como ‘joia’?
–Tratamento especial não, o traimento é o mesmo com todos, não existe nada especial, tentamos fazer tudo igual com todos para crescer todo mundo junto.

Inspirações?
–Na vida são meus pais, guerreiros, batalhadores, sempre trabalharam muito para me criar. No futebol são Suárez e Cavani. Eu deixo o cabelo assim também por causa delem porque me inspiro nele.