Inter head coach Cristian Chivu faces a severe defensive crisis ahead of the pivotal Champions League showdown against Liverpool, as key summer signing Manuel Akanji missed the final training session on Monday, leaving the Nerazzurri dangerously exposed against Arne Slot’s prolific attack.

Chivu rocked by latest fitness concern

The atmosphere at the Inter training centre was noticeably tense on Monday morning as the team conducted their final preparations ahead of the monumental Champions League showdown against Liverpool. What should have been a routine session of tactical fine-tuning turned into a source of major anxiety for head coach Chivu, as key defender Akanji was absent from the group.

The Swiss centre-back, who arrived on loan from Manchester City on deadline day and has since established himself as a pillar of the Nerazzurri backline, did not participate in the final training session before the midweek match. Reports emerging from Appiano Gentile suggest that the defender is suffering from flu-like symptoms, a concern that has cast a shadow over his availability for the upcoming European fixture. For a manager still finding his feet at the elite level like Chivu, losing his most dynamic defender on the eve of facing the English champions poses a huge concern. The club medical staff are reportedly working around the clock, but with the game less than 48 hours away, the odds of the 30-year-old starting are drifting swiftly from possible to unlikely.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportInter stretched thin for Liverpool clash

Akanji's potential absence exposes the fragility of an Inter squad that underwent significant surgery in the summer. When the club sanctioned the loan of Benjamin Pavard to Marseille and brought in the Swiss international as his temporary replacement, the logic was sound: swap one elite defender for another. However, that decision relies heavily on the fitness of the new arrival, and with Akanji now sidelined, the depth chart looks alarmingly thin.

Chivu is now forced to shuffle a pack that is already light on options. The veteran Stefan de Vrij is the natural replacement in the centre of the back three, but the Dutchman lacks the recovery pace that makes Akanji so effective in a high line. Alternatively, the manager could turn to the towering Yann Aurel Bisseck, a player of immense promise but one who arguably lacks the experience for a high-stakes duel against Premier League opposition. The defensive unit, anchored by Alessandro Bastoni, relies on chemistry and fluid movement; removing a key cog like the former Borussia Dortmund man disrupts the entire mechanism. 

Akanji absence could be fatal for Inter

Facing Liverpool is a daunting task at the best of times, but doing so without your quickest centre-back is flirting with disaster. Under Arne Slot, the Reds evolved into a ruthless transition machine, and their attack is specifically designed to exploit gaps in opposition backlines. However, they are set to take to the field without Mohamed Salah amid the breakdown in his relationship with Slot and the Reds' ongoing struggles this season.

Akanji’s greatest asset is his ability to cover wide channels and manage one-on-one situations, traits that are essential when facing the pace of striker Alexander Isak or the creative wizardry of Florian Wirtz. Without him, Inter risk being exposed to rapid counter-attacks, particularly if they try to impose their possession game. De Vrij or Francesco Acerbi offer positional intelligence, but if they are isolated against the speed of the Liverpool forwards, the result could be catastrophic. The English giants are struggling this season with just one win from their last six matches, but they still have the firepower to punish even the smallest error, having beaten Real Madrid and Eintracht Frankfurt in the competition before their shock 4-1 defeat at home to PSV last time out.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

AFPWhat comes next?

The dilemma facing the Inter boss is classic risk-versus-reward. He could hand a start to Bisseck or De Vrij in the biggest game of the campaign so far, but will be concerned about the structure of his backline for such a big game. A pragmatic approach might see Inter sit deeper to protect their slower defenders, inviting pressure from a Liverpool side that loves to dominate the ball. The final decision will likely be made on the morning of the match, after one last fitness test. Until then, the Nerazzurri camp remains in a state of suspended animation, waiting to see if their defensive leader can pull off a miracle recovery. If not, it will be up to the remaining soldiers to form a shield wall capable of repelling the English invaders.

The SNY television mics continue to be a gift to baseball fans.

During the bottom of the fifth inning of the Atlanta Braves' 7-4 win over the New York Mets on Tuesday night, the station's mics picked up an interaction between Braves pitcher Spencer Strider and Mets star slugger Juan Soto, the latter of whom didn't like the umpire's call on a strikeout looking.

Soto, after walking in each of his first two at-bats against Strider, worked the count full in his third trip to the batter's box against the Braves ace. Strider then delivered a four-seam fastball on the lower inside corner of the plate, a pitch that home-plate umpire Adam Hamari called strike three.

Soto, started heading up the first-base line thinking it was ball four, then hopped in the air in frustration as he headed towards Hamari to express his displeasure with the call.

As he did so, Strider let Soto know what he thought of the call.

"It's right down the middle," Strider said three times to Soto.

The pitch was not an obvious third strike, but did appear to catch the outside part of the plate. Plus, Hamari earned the benefit of the doubt with his performance on Tuesday night, as Umpire Scorecards gave him a 96% accuracy rating for the contest.

For Soto and the Mets, the frustration goes beyond just the disagreement with an umpire's call. The club has dropped nine of its last 10 games and fallen out of first place in the National League East in a worrisome stretch of play. Meanwhile, Atlanta, after an abysmal start to the season, is now just four games under .500 and 7-3 in its last 10 contests.

Another year of MLB free agency is underway and that means that, in addition to the hot stove firing up, the Japanese Posting System will once again become a topic of discussion as some of Japan's top professional baseball players take their talents stateside. One such star player, infielder Munetaka Murakami, was officially posted on Friday. But what does the term 'posted' mean? And how does the Japanese Posting System work in MLB?

What does the term posted mean?

Posting is a process that occurs when an eligible player in the Nippon Professional Baseball league would like to play in MLB. The player notifies his team's management of his desire to play in MLB, and requests that he be made available for posting during the next posting period.

When is the posting period?

While it has changed in past iterations of the posting system, the current posting period is from November 1 to December 5, meaning players can be posted anytime between those dates.

Which players are eligible to be posted?

NPB players with no more than nine years of experience are eligible to be posted. Both the player and his team must agree to the posting before the process plays out.

What is the exact process of posting?

All 30 MLB clubs have 45 days to negotiate terms of a contract with a player after he has been posted. Once a contract is agreed upon between the player and an MLB team, the MLB team must pay a release fee to the player‘s NPB team. If no contract is agreed upon between player and MLB team in the 45 days, the player will return to the NPB team for the ensuing season and cannot be posted again until the following offseason.

How do the release fees work?

The release fee amounts to a certain percentage of the agreed upon contract between player and MLB team.

For all minor league contracts, the release fee will be 25% of the signing bonus. For minor league contracts that contain MLB terms, a supplemental fee will be owed to the NPB team if the player is added to the 25-man roster. If a posted player signs a contract that includes bonuses, salary escalators or options, a supplemental fee equal to 15% of any bonus or salary escalators earned by the player will be owed to the Japanese team and/or a 15% of any option that is exercised.

Are there any caveats to the posting system?

Yes. Unless foreign-born players are at least 25 years old and have played professionally for at least six seasons in a foreign league recognized by MLB, they will be subject to international bonus pool money restrictions. One such example occurred this past offseason, when 23-year-old Rōki Sasaki, who ultimately signed with the Dodgers, was considered an international amateur free agent.

Why was the posting system implemented?

Several players playing in Japan—most notably Hideo Nomo, Hideki Irabu and Alfonso Soriano—exploited loopholes in a prior agreement between the NPB league and MLB to play in MLB, leaving their Japanese teams with nothing following their departures. The posting system was created to allow Japanese teams to receive compensation when certain members of the club desire to play in MLB.

Who are some of the biggest names to ever be posted in MLB?

Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki, three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani, five-time All-Star Yu Darvish and two-time All-Star Masahiro Tanaka are just a few former and current stars who were posted before playing in MLB.

Both teams had equal support as the Champions Trophy arrived at Gaddafi Stadium and England seemed like they had killed off the game, but who could ever really bet against Australia?

Danyal Rasool22-Feb-20252:04

Agar: Inglis controlled the innings, the rest could bat around him

The crowd had left their seats, preparing to head out. It had been a long day, and they had seen by far the best game of the tournament. They pooled up at the front of the stands; perhaps they’d catch one more over. And then Alex Carey clothed one to mid-off. Glenn Maxwell was coming in, so they couldn’t leave before giving him the biggest cheer of the evening and watching a little show.Mark Wood came straight into the attack, the tournament’s fastest bowler who had bowled England’s quickest-ever opening ODI spell at the top of the innings. This, perhaps, was the contest distilled to its most electric – matchwinner pitted against matchwinner, the outcome of this mini-context potentially decisive to the larger result.Wood set three men on the rope on the leg side, including a square leg, for the first ball to Maxwell. For someone who had bowled more balls in excess of 150kph than anyone else in this tournament combined, it didn’t take a great deal of imagination to work out what he was threatening. Instead, he went full. But Maxwell doesn’t need time at the crease to recognise a bluff when he sees one. He latched onto it, pummeling it through the cover region left vacant to lend credibility to that bluff. Four.There was no pretense for the next ball as Wood arrowed it in search of the yorker, but once more, Maxwell wasn’t backing down. He lifted this one over mid-on. Four more. The crowd didn’t move, not even to go back to their seats. Lahore’s post-match traffic may be a nightmare to deal with, but missing any of this would be worse.

****

Every seat at the Gaddafi was sold out for this game, and yet it was never quite clear what the people wanted. There is veneration in Pakistan for Australia’s relentless assault on the biggest trophies, while England’s white-ball revolution over the past decade has brought with it a new generation of young fans, especially as the country is one of the biggest exporters of talent to the Pakistan Super League.Related

• South Africa 'bullish' about their chances – like Australia always are

• Josh Inglis 120* seals record win for Australia

• Stats – Duckett's record knock eclipsed by Australia's record chase

• Brydon Carse ruled out of Champions Trophy with toe injury

• Duckett delivers but England fall flat again to put tournament on the line

By the time the game drew near its enthralling finale, though, the overwhelming sense that gripped this ground was one of inevitability. The stadium may not have held an ICC event for the best part of 30 years; indeed, the last such game at this ground was perhaps the last of an era where an Australian triumph on these occasions wasn’t fait accompli.A lot has happened in the three decades since, and plenty of it has happened to this crowd. As Australia clawed their way back into a game England thought they had finished off, no one would have felt surer of an Australian win than those gathered around this venue.It was Australia that came in with an attack that was part Sheffield Shield part Big Bash League; it would be something of a mathematical violation to maintain the whole added up to an ODI bowling unit. It was their best bowler – Adam Zampa – who Ben Duckett had thoroughly bested, plundering 50 off the 36 balls he faced en route a Champions Trophy record 165, leaving Australia comprehensively deprived of wicket-taking options.Josh Inglis’ innings was laden with boundaries•Associated PressWhen, in defence of 351, Wood and Jofra Archer breathed early fire to send back Australia’s most explosive batter and their best one in quick succession, the remainder of the game threatened to become an English victory procession. They even did what Australia couldn’t in the middle overs, spinners Adil Rashid and Liam Livingstone combining to remove Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Short, who had built up a sneakily menacing 95-run stand which kept Australia in touch with the asking rate. Now, alongside Carey, it was all up to Josh Inglis, ODI average a tick above 23.However, Australia follow a strategy of personal incredulity in these events, as if Real Madrid had suddenly descended on a cricket field and dyed their kit canary yellow. For this side, there isn’t so much regression to the mean as there is eternal servitude to history, where past success guarantees future triumph. Two overs after that double-blow, Carey lifted Livingstone – one of England’s two compromise bowlers, the price they were paying for an extra batter – for two boundaries, and at the halfway mark Australia were just ten runs behind England at the same stage. The game entered a tug of war as England, still notionally with the upper hand, remained content as long as the floodgates didn’t open.But with wickets suddenly drying up, Australia were always destined to be in control of the final sprint. England had done exceptionally well not to let their middle overs with the bat – a recent Achilles heel – derail their innings, prioritising wicket preservation while milking the middle overs. ODI sides have averaged 151 dot balls in full innings since the 2023 World Cup, or just over half their full quota. For England, this was down to just 107, a near 15% drop. However, they had not made the most of the platform they constructed, only 83 coming off the final ten overs even as Australia turned to their fifth and sixth bowlers at the death; Labuschagne bowled two of the last three overs.Glenn Maxwell helped add the finished touches•Associated PressSo, by that time the crowd were stealing a few late peeks at Maxwell against Wood, they stood not to see an outcome decided, but an inevitable heist completed. The following over, Inglis slapped Brydon Carse for one six before scooping him for another, and he whacked an Archer slower ball into the Imtiaz Ahmed Stand at midwicket three balls later to bring up his hundred. Maxwell, now primed against Wood, whacked him for another six and a four; he would finish with 31 off 11 balls from Wood and Archer. The coup de grace came from Inglis, of course, a six off Wood when just two were needed; he had added almost a fifth of his runs tally built up over 28 ODIs across one Lahore evening. The last 70 runs of the chase had taken just 33 balls.It was only after that final Inglis blow that Gaddafi Stadium, in unison, turned around and began to walk away. It remained impossible to say if this was the outcome they wanted; St George’s Cross and the Southern Cross had been seen in equal measure in the stands. But even as the foe that has dealt them more pain than any other inaugurated their gleaming new stadium by laying their dreaded hex on it, they had smiles on their faces. It felt much nicer when it was happening to someone else.

Carlos Correa began his MLB career with the Houston Astros, winning AL Rookie of the Year after being called up early during the 2015 season. He went on to capture a World Series with the club two years later, and made two of his three All-Star teams with the Astros.

Correa signed a three-year deal with the Minnesota Twins in free agency in 2022, but as the Twins look to sell ahead of Thursday's MLB trade deadline, Correa could be on the move. Correa has a no-trade clause in his deal, but would waive it to head back to Houston, 's Bob Nightengale reports.

The Astros are also targeting a pair of bats at third base—St. Louis Cardinals star Nolan Arenado and Arizona Diamondbacks slugger Eugenio Suárez—according to Nightengale, but Correa would give Houston a very familiar, friendly face to bolster the lineup for the playoff push. Suarez would represent a much different offensive threat than Correa, who has seven home runs and 31 RBIs on the season, with below-average OPS+ of 93, though Correa would be a solid addition for Houston's defense.

To make a move happen, Minnesota will likely have to eat a big chunk of Correa's contract, Nightengale reports. He is on the third year of a six-year, $200 million contract, which includes potential vesting options for the 2029 to '32 seasons if Correa hits certain benchmarks including silver slugger, LCS and World Series MVP awards and top five regular season MVP finishes. Those convert to club options if they do not vest.

The Astros are currently 61–47 and four games up on the Seattle Mariners in the AL West, but with the possibility of third baseman Isaac Paredes being out for the rest of the season with a hamstring injury, it appears that Houston is ready to push its chips in to the center of the table to make a run at a third World Series championship since 2017.

Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will take the ball for the American League as the team's starter in the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Atlanta. It's the first career All-Star start for Skubal, who seems to have received an assist from fellow AL All-Star and New York Yankees ace Max Fried.

Skubal told Tigers beat writer Evan Woodbery that Fried had called him recently with an admirable offer.

"He asked me if I wanted to start (the ASG)," Skubal said.

Skubal told Woodbery that he initially balked at Fried's offer, and extended the offer back to Fried, who had spent the first eight seasons of his career in Atlanta, where the All-Star Game will take place.

That's when Fried insisted.

"I think you deserve it," Fried insisted. "I was just wondering if you wanted to start it."

Skubal said he then received the call from AL manager Aaron Boone, who let him know he'd be the AL's starter. The Tigers ace, who ranks third in the AL in ERA and second in strikeouts, said he admired Fried for the remarkable gesture.

"It was actually a really cool conversation [with Fried]," Skubal said. "It’s a very professional thing to do, and I've got a ton of respect for guys that do stuff like that."

Fried on Friday opted out of the All-Star Game, likely due to the shorter turnaround from his start against the Chicago Cubs, an appearance in which he exited due to a blister on his left index finger.

The All-Star Game will take place on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Flamengo colocou uma mão na taça do Campeonato Carioca. Após a vitória maiúscula sobre o Nova Iguaçu, por 3 a 0, o Rubro-Negro leva uma vantagem tranquila para o segundo jogo e começa a tirar o grito da torcida de “é campeão”.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFlamengoApesar da vantagem contra o Nova Iguaçu, Tite descarta poupar jogadores do Flamengo para LibertadoresFlamengo30/03/2024FlamengoVP do Flamengo critica punição a Gabigol: ‘Fez o exame’Flamengo30/03/2024FlamengoCarlinhos fala pela primeira vez como novo reforço do Flamengo: ‘É um sonho’Flamengo30/03/2024

➡️ Tudo sobre o Mengão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Flamengo

➡️ Com R$50 no Lance! Betting, você fatura R$255 se apostar no 1 a 1 entre Santos x Palmeiras

O abismo financeiro entre os clubes refletiu em campo. Com isso, o Flamengo não fez o menor esforço para vencer o Nova Iguaçu, que praticamente não assustou o goleiro Rossi.

E por falar em goleiro, Rossi segue sem tomar gols. A defesa do Flamengo é um dos pontos altos neste início de temporada. Além disso, mostrou que uma das maiores valências do time não será batida com facilidade.

continua após a publicidade

Apesar do resultado extremamente favorável, o técnico Tite, que está muito perto de conquistar seu primeiro título pelo Flamengo, considera que não está nada resolvido. Para o treinador rubro-negro, o trabalho do Nova Iguaçu precisa ser respeitado.

Está nada decidido. É uma vantagem, sim, considerável, sim. Mas nós temos consciência, até porque o Flamengo e o César (Sampaio) aqui, nós também já iniciamos a nossa carreira e o Carlos, e sabemos dar valor a isso

---

pontuou Tite

O próximo desafio do Flamengo será a estreia da Libertadores. O Rubro-Negro vai enfrentar o Millonarios da Colômbia na terça-feira (2), às 19h, em partida válida pela 1ª rodada da competição.

continua após a publicidade

Tudo sobre

FlamengoFutebol NacionalTite

Ahead of Manchester United’s trip to face Liverpool, club legend Paul Scholes has taken aim at three Old Trafford stars who are “not capable” of playing their part.

Fernandes calls for "stability" at Man Utd

While a trip to Anfield will bring back bad recent memories for United, Ruben Amorim’s side are actually facing the Reds at a good time.

Liverpool entered the international break off the back of three-straight defeats in all competitions, and are potentially vulnerable to another upset on Merseyside.

United, meanwhile, defeated Sunderland in comfortable fashion before the break in a game that featured a second goal in as many games for Benjamin Sekso and a solid debut performance from Senne Lammens. The victory has, at least somewhat, eased growing pressure on Amorim — but club captain Bruno Fernandes is still calling for more “stability”.

For the time being, Amorim’s job is safe even after another disappointing start.

As the rumours continue to surround potential candidates to replace the former Sporting CP boss, including the likes of Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner, INEOS are seemingly ready to back their man.

That’s not to say that things won’t change, however, and club legend Scholes has now slammed three players who are “not capable” of helping to save Amorim’s job.

Scholes slams Man Utd trio who are getting "found out"

Speaking to The Times, Scholes slammed Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Casemiro — describing them as “not capable” and “not strong enough” in a scathing review.

Watch out Mount: Man Utd's "incredible" talent can steal the no.7 shirt

Manchester United have a star on their hands who could take the number seven shirt off Mason Mount.

By
Ethan Lamb

Oct 17, 2025

All in their 30s, Scholes may have a point. Although Maguire has rediscovered some of his best form at times, questions are still asked about his ability to take United back into European football.

Shaw, meanwhile, continues to struggle on the injury front and remains a player that United should have replaced at this stage. Similar can also be said for Casemiro, even after he put a very bad run of form behind him not so long ago.

Manchester United are now planning to push for an “amazing” midfielder, who has been identified as their top target in the middle of the park, and a £52m offer is in the works.

Man United made it three Premier League wins on the spin for the first time under Ruben Amorim at the weekend, defeating Brighton & Hove Albion 4-2, which means Frank Ilett, also known as ‘The United Strand’ is just two wins away from finally getting a haircut.

The United supporter has already gone over a year without getting a trim, having vowed not to do so until Amorim’s side win five games on the bounce, and only Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur stand in their way after the victory over the Seagulls.

Things are finally looking up for the Red Devils, who have overtaken Liverpool and moved up to sixth in the Premier League table, and Gary Neville has revealed the players have fully bought into Amorim, who has finally staved off some speculation about his future.

Neville said: “The players really like him, they like him a lot … The players really like him and want to do well for him, and I think that’s come through in the last week or so.”

That said, Amorim is still keen to make improvements to his squad, with it well-known the manager wants to bring in a new central midfielder, and Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher has emerged as a target, with the United boss approving the move last week.

There has now been a new update on Man United’s pursuit of Gallagher, with a report from Spain revealing the former Chelsea man is their top target in midfield, and they are considering submitting an offer of around €60m (£52m) for his services.

Casemiro replacement: Man Utd prepare to make offer for £60m "duel monster"

Manchester United are preparing to make a move to sign a star who could replace Casemiro in midfield.

ByDan Emery Oct 27, 2025

The Red Devils are planning to push for the midfielder’s signature, and could make a move in the January transfer window, although it is unclear whether Atletico would be willing to sanction a departure.

"Amazing" Gallagher could be solid option for Amorim

Once lauded for his “amazing character” by Frank Lampard, the Englishman is well-known for his stamina, with Nathan Dyer saying: “His work rate is insane. It’s one of the best I’ve ever seen. He just doesn’t stop.”

However, not only does the 25-year-old have a good attitude and work hard, but he is also very skilled at winning possession, placing in the 97th percentile for interceptions per 90 over the past year, when compared to other midfielders.

The 22-time England international isn’t prolific in front of goal, but he is certainly capable of contributing on the front foot, chipping in with 18 goals and 13 assists in 136 Premier League appearances, while also scoring once at international level.

Gallagher arguably wouldn’t be the flashiest of signings, but he could be a solid option for Amorim in midfield, given his ability at both ends of the pitch.

MatériaMais Notícias

Na derrota contra o São Paulo, pela partida de ida da terceira fase da Copa do Brasil, a torcida do Águia de Marabá fez cantos homofóbicos contra a a torcida tricolor.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoTorcedores detonam Caio Paulista em Palmeiras x Botafogo-SP e pedem volta ao São PauloFora de Campo02/05/2024Fora de CampoComentarista da ESPN detona preferência por James Rodríguez no São Paulo: ‘Futebol e suas injustiças’Fora de Campo02/05/2024São PauloJuan se redime e conduz virada do São Paulo sobre o Águia de Marabá na Copa do BrasilSão Paulo02/05/2024

➡️A boa do Lance! Betting: vamos dobrar seu primeiro depósito, até R$200! Basta abrir sua conta!

– Viado, viado, torcida de viado – cantou a torcida do Águia de Marabá nas arquibancadas do Mangueirão.

➡️ Siga o Lance! São Paulo no WhatsApp e acompanhe todas as notícias do Tricolor

Pelos gritos homofóbicos contra a torcida do São Paulo, o Águia de Marabá pode ser punido com base no artigo 243-G, do Código Brasileiro de Justiça Desportiva: “Praticar ato discriminatório, desdenhoso ou ultrajante, relacionado a preconceito em razão de origem étnica, raça, sexo, cor, idade, condição de pessoa idosa ou portadora de deficiência”.

No final da última temporada, a Procuradoria do Superior Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva arquivou uma notícia de infração que denúnciava cantos homofóbicos registrados na torcida do Flamengo no clássico contra o Fluminense.

continua após a publicidade

➡️ Veja tabela com datas e horários dos jogos do Brasileirão

Uma das possíveis penas previstas no artigo é a exclusão da equipe da Copa do Brasil. Águia de Marabá e São Paulo voltam a se enfrentar no dia 22 de maio, no Morumbis. A equipe do técnico Luis Zubeldía pode perder por até um gol de diferença no jogo de volta que ainda irá avançar às oitavas de final do torneio.

Tudo sobre

Copa do BrasilSão Paulo