Football

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick expressed optimism that Dani Olmo could make his long-awaited debut for the club on Saturday against Athletic Bilbao. The Spanish playmaker joined Barcelona from RB Leipzig this summer but has yet to be registered with La Liga due to the club's financial constraints.However, Barcelona's recent decision to allow midfielder Ilkay Gundogan to return to Manchester City has potentially freed up enough financial space to register Olmo. "Financial matters are not my concern," Flick said. "We focus on the team, and I'm delighted with what I've seen this week. Dani is ready to play, and we're eagerly awaiting his registration. Hopefully, he'll be part of the team tomorrow."Flick praised Olmo's abilities, highlighting his exceptional performance for Spain in their Euro 2024 triumph. "He's a phenomenal player who can make a significant contribution to our team," Flick said. "His composure under pressure and his finishing ability are remarkable. It would be a major boost to have him in the squad as soon as possible."In addition to Olmo's potential debut, Flick also confirmed that Fermin Lopez, who won both the Euros and Olympic gold for Spain, is ready to return for Barcelona. However, the German coach downplayed speculation linking Barcelona with a move for Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, who is expected to face the Catalan giants on Saturday."We have experienced players in that position," Flick said. "Jules Kounde will be responsible for marking him. It's not my place to discuss Williams because he's not our player. Our focus is on our own performance, and I'm confident that Jules will do a good job against him."

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed confidence in his team despite the club's lack of transfer activity this summer. Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season, believes he has inherited a "very good team" and is not concerned about the lack of new signings."I trust the team," Slot said. "I've said before, I have inherited a very good team, with young players. We trust them a lot. They proved that they have earned our trust."Liverpool are the only team in the Premier League yet to make a signing this summer. Spain international Martin Zubimendi rejected the opportunity to leave Real Sociedad, while a deal for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is reportedly close but would see the Georgian stay at the Mestalla this season on loan.Slot takes charge of his first competitive game at Anfield on Sunday when Brentford are the visitors. The Dutchman said he is focused on getting the three points and is not feeling the nerves of having to impress the home fans."I am not nervous at all," Slot said. "Certainly not at this moment because I'm in the middle of preparation, prepare the team for Sunday. It wouldn't be a good thing if you have nerves. I trust what me and my staff do to prepare the team in the best possible way. I trust the team a lot."Liverpool's window has been more dominated by sales. Sepp van den Berg and Fabio Carvalho have joined Brentford for combined fees of close to £50 million, while Bobby Clark has joined Red Bull Salzburg. England defender Joe Gomez has also been linked with a move away before the transfer deadline in a week's time.Slot is keen for Gomez to stay put, saying: "At this moment I am expecting everyone to be here. (But) everything can change. He didn't play a lot in the Euros and when he came back in the first sessions he couldn't train the whole session, so we had to manage his load and that was also a bit (of) a reason why he wasn't in the team on Saturday. But this week he had a good week in terms of load and how much he could do with the team. He is one of the players that I see new things from and learn things what I see from him."

Arsenal's Premier League title aspirations face an early test as they travel to Aston Villa, a team that has proven to be a bogey side for the Gunners in recent seasons. Manchester United, meanwhile, will face a stern examination of their defense when they visit Brighton.Arsenal's two defeats to Villa last season played a significant role in their failure to win the league title for the first time in 20 years. The Gunners are determined to dethrone Manchester City this season, but their trip to Villa Park marks the beginning of a challenging run of fixtures.Mikel Arteta's men will also face north London rivals Tottenham and Manchester City in their opening five games. However, they got off to a winning start at home to Wolves, with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz showing no signs of fatigue from their exertions at Euro 2024.Arsenal will need to maintain that level of performance against a Villa side that also started the season with an encouraging 2-1 away win at West Ham. Villa have strengthened their squad in preparation for their first Champions League campaign since 1982/83.Manchester United's 1-0 win over Fulham on the opening night of the season could be interpreted in two ways. On the one hand, it was a much-needed victory for a team that finished eighth last season. On the other hand, the ease with which Fulham created chances raised concerns about United's defensive capabilities.A truer test of United's credentials will come at the Amex on Saturday against a Brighton side that is flying high after a 3-0 win at Everton. The Seagulls have Kaoru Mitoma back fit and could hand a debut to new signing Georginio Rutter.Chelsea, meanwhile, are looking to steady the ship after a chaotic summer at Stamford Bridge and an opening defeat to Manchester City. Manager Enzo Maresca has been tasked with fostering a team spirit from a squad that has been described as a "double squad" by Pep Guardiola.Raheem Sterling has been added to the list of star names cut out from first-team training, and his squad number has been handed over to Pedro Neto. Maresca has insisted that he is not working with a "mess," but the Blues squad continues to grow, with Joao Felix joining on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid.

Cristiano Ronaldo's YouTube Channel Shatters Records, Earns MillionsPortuguese football legend Cristiano Ronaldo has once again broken boundaries on social media, this time with his new YouTube channel, 'UR - Cristiano.' Launched just one day ago, the channel has already amassed over 30 million subscribers and generated over 100 million views.Ronaldo's YouTube success is a testament to his immense popularity and influence. Despite his videos being mostly around one minute long, they have garnered millions of views, with three videos already surpassing 20 million views each.According to industry estimates, YouTube channels can earn around USD 6 per 1,000 views, translating to a potential revenue of USD 1,200 to USD 6,000 per million views. With over 100 million views already, Ronaldo could have potentially earned well over a few hundred million USD from his YouTube venture.In addition to ad revenue, Ronaldo's YouTube channel also provides a platform for him to connect with his fans on a more personal level. His videos feature a variety of content, including family moments, challenges, and behind-the-scenes glimpses of his life.On the field, Ronaldo continues to perform at a high level. He scored 44 goals for Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in the 2023-24 season and has started the 2024-25 season with three goals in three games.Ronaldo's YouTube success is a testament to his enduring popularity and his ability to adapt to the ever-changing social media landscape. As he continues to grow his channel, he is likely to further extend his reach and influence, both on and off the field.

S.A. Rahim, the legendary football coach from Hyderabad, was a visionary who transformed the Indian football landscape in the 1950s and 1960s. His unwavering commitment to discipline and his ability to mold raw talent into exceptional players left an enduring legacy on the sport.Born in Hyderabad in 1909, Rahim graduated from Osmania University and began his coaching career at various schools in the city. Despite not having played the game at the highest level, he possessed an innate understanding of football and a keen eye for talent.Rahim's coaching philosophy emphasized discipline, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. He was known for his strict training regimen and his unwavering belief in the potential of his players. Under his guidance, Hyderabad became a formidable force in Indian football, producing numerous talented players who went on to represent the national team.In 1950, Rahim was appointed as the coach of the Indian football team, a position he held for 13 years. During this period, India achieved its greatest success in international football, winning the gold medal at the 1962 Asian Games. The team also reached the semifinals of the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, a testament to Rahim's coaching prowess.Rahim's impact extended beyond the national team. He played a pivotal role in developing the Hyderabad City Police football team into one of the most feared outfits in India. The team won numerous major tournaments, including the Durand Cup and Rovers Cup, and served as a feeder club for the Kolkata Leagues.Rahim's legacy continues to inspire generations of football players in India. The Telangana Football Association conducts an annual A-Division Rahim League in his honor, keeping his memory alive and celebrating his contributions to the sport.

Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable Bundesliga and cup double last season has not swayed coach Xabi Alonso's belief that Bayern Munich remain the title favorites this season."For me, the favorites are Bayern, that's clear," Alonso declared at a press conference ahead of Leverkusen's Bundesliga season opener at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday. "Our goal is to stay in the top four. That's realistic -- we have a good squad."Leverkusen's historic triumph last season, which ended Bayern's 11-year reign in Germany, was a testament to their resilience and tactical acumen. However, Alonso is keen to emphasize that past achievements are no guarantee of future success."Last year was really nice... but we're starting from scratch again," he said. "We need to earn everything again. We need to win our points and for that we need good performances."Bayern, under new coach Vincent Kompany, have bolstered their squad with several high-profile signings, including Michael Olise, Joao Palhinha, and Hiroki Ito. Leverkusen, on the other hand, have maintained a relatively stable roster, with the exception of the departure of Moussa Diaby to Manchester United.Despite their impressive unbeaten run in Germany since May 2023, Alonso is wary of the challenges that lie ahead. "We know every game will be difficult -- and that will be the case against Gladbach," he said.Leverkusen's title-winning campaign was built on a solid defense and a potent attack led by Patrik Schick and Florian Wirtz. However, they will face a stern test against a Gladbach side that has strengthened its squad with the addition of Marcus Thuram from Borussia Monchengladbach.Alonso will be without Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios for the trip to Gladbach due to a knee injury. However, the rest of his squad is available for selection as Leverkusen aim to start the new season with a positive result.

AC Milan CEO Giorgio Furlani has emphatically denied rumors linking star winger Rafael Leao with a move to Barcelona. Furlani stated that there is "zero possibility" of Leao leaving the Rossoneri, despite reports in Spain suggesting otherwise.Leao, 25, is one of Milan's most prized assets and has been a key figure in their recent resurgence. His contract runs until 2028, and Furlani is confident that he will remain at the club for the foreseeable future."There is zero possibility that Leao will leave Milan," Furlani told reporters. "He is a fundamental player for us, and we are counting on him for the future."When asked if Leao could potentially submit a transfer request, Furlani responded with certainty: "I am sure that he will not. He is happy at Milan, and he wants to continue his career here."Leao's impressive performances have attracted the attention of several top clubs, including Barcelona. However, Milan is determined to keep hold of their star player and is not willing to entertain any offers.The Portuguese winger has been a revelation since joining Milan in 2019. He has scored 34 goals in 125 appearances for the club and has played a pivotal role in their recent successes, including winning the Serie A title last season.Milan began their Serie A campaign with a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Torino last weekend. They will face newly promoted Parma on Saturday evening as they look to secure their first win of the season.

Kylian Mbappe's highly anticipated La Liga debut for Real Madrid has raised questions about the team's balance, as the Spanish champions drew 1-1 at Mallorca last weekend. Coach Carlo Ancelotti has acknowledged the need for improvement, particularly in terms of defensive stability.Mbappe, who joined Madrid on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, is expected to make his first home appearance for the club on Sunday against Real Valladolid. The French superstar is hoping to make a greater impact at Madrid than his predecessor, Ronaldo, who won just one La Liga title and failed to lift the Champions League during his five seasons in the Spanish capital.One of the main challenges for Ancelotti is finding the right balance in his attacking lineup. Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Jude Bellingham have all been deployed in the starting XI, but their preference for playing on the left flank has created some congestion. Additionally, Bellingham's role in midfield has been compromised, as he is forced to drop deeper to accommodate the three forwards."We need to defend better, we need more balance," Ancelotti said after the Mallorca draw. "It's a team problem that they didn't understand was a key aspect in this game."While Real Valladolid may not pose a significant threat on paper, Ancelotti will be eager to see his team improve their performance. Mbappe, who scored against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, will be looking to mark his Bernabeu debut with a goal.However, Madrid's attacking prowess could also prove to be a double-edged sword. Teams may be motivated to rise to the challenge of stopping the "fantastic four," as the attacking quartet has been dubbed."We're going to face the best team in the world, with one of the best coaches in history and the best attack in the world today," said Valladolid coach Paulo Pezzolano. "We know what we're going to face, but we're going there convinced that we're going to compete and bring something back home."

Fulham has bolstered its midfield with the acquisition of Norway international Sander Berge from Burnley on a five-year contract. The undisclosed fee marks a significant investment for the Premier League club, which has been seeking to strengthen its squad ahead of the new season.Berge, 26, joins Fulham following the departure of Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich earlier this summer. The Norwegian midfielder has been a key figure for Burnley in recent seasons, making over 100 appearances for the club. He has also represented Norway at the international level, earning 33 caps and scoring four goals.Fulham manager Marco Silva expressed his delight at securing Berge's services, stating, "Sander is a player we have been tracking for some time. He is a talented midfielder with a lot of experience at both club and international level. We believe he will be a valuable addition to our squad."Berge, who can play as a central midfielder or a defensive midfielder, is known for his physicality, passing range, and ability to break up play. He is expected to provide Fulham with much-needed depth and competition in the midfield, alongside the likes of Harrison Reed, Tom Cairney, and Jean Michael Seri.The Norwegian midfielder is eager to make an immediate impact at Craven Cottage, saying, "I'm very excited to join Fulham. It's a great club with a lot of ambition. I'm looking forward to working with the manager and the players to help the team achieve its goals."Berge could make his debut for Fulham in the Premier League opener against Leicester City on Saturday. The Cottagers will be hoping that the Norwegian's arrival will help them improve on their 12th-place finish last season and challenge for a top-half spot in the upcoming campaign.