ترتيب مجموعة بيراميدز في كأس الرابطة بعد الهزيمة أمام البنك الأهلي

انتهت منافسات الجولة الأولى من المجموعة الثانية ضمن منافسات بطولة كأس الرابطة.

وتلقى بيراميدز خسارة ثقيلة أمام البنك الأهلي بنتيجة 6-1  على أرضية استاد السلام، في إطار لقاءات الجولة الأولى من مرحلة المجموعات لـ كأس الرابطة.

ترتيب مجموعة الزمالك في كأس الرابطة بعد التعادل مع كهرباء الإسماعيلية

وتقام منافسات بطولة كأس رابطة الأندية في نسختها الخامسة، بعد أن أقيمت 4 نسخ من قبل، توج بها فيوتشر في المرة الأولى وسيراميكا كليوباترا حصل عليها 3 مرات متتالية.

واستطاع فريق الجونة الفوز أمام الإسماعيلي بنتيجة ,3-1، في المواجهة التي جمعت بينهما مساء أمس الأربعاء.

في نفس المجموعة حقق بتروجيت الفوز على وادي دجلة بهدفين مقابل هدف  ليحصد أول ثلاث نقاط.  ترتيب مجموعة بيراميدز في كأس الرابطة

1-البنك الأهلي: 3 نقاط

2-الجونة: 3 نقاط 

3- بتروجيت 3 نقاط

4-مودرن سبورت 0 نقاط

5-وادي دجلة: 0 نقاط

6-الإسماعيلي: 0 نقاط 7-بيراميدز: 0 نقاط

تورام محذرًا ليفربول: تعثر إنتر ميلان أمر صعب.. ومحمد صلاح ضمن أفضل لاعبي العالم

قام ماركوس تورام، نجم نادي إنتر ميلان، بتحذير ليفربول، وذلك قبل المباراة التي سوف تجمع بين الفريقين في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا على ملعب جوزيبي مياتزا.

إنتر ميلان سوف يستضيف نظيره ليفربول غدًا الثلاثاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من مرحلة الدوري في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويرغب نادي إنتر ميلان في استغلال حالة ليفربول السيئة خلال هذا الموسم، حيث دخل الريدز في سلسلة سلبية من عدم تحقيق الفوز في كافة المسابقات.

ودخل ليفربول في أزمة مع نجم الفريق محمد صلاح، والذي أكد أنه ليس سعيدًا بوضعه الحالي مع النادي الإنجليزي وأن علاقته قد انقطعت مع المدرب آرني سلوت.

وأكد تورام خلال المؤتمر الصحفي الخاص باللقاء، والذي نقلته ”lefigaro”، أن إنتر ميلان يعتبر فريقًا صلبًا حقًا في دوري أبطال أوروبا خلال السنوات الأخيرة ومن الصعب أن يتعثر.

وتمكن إنتر ميلان من الوصول إلى نهائيين في آخر ثلاث سنوات من دوري أبطال أوروبا ويعتبر فريق صعب حقًا في المسابقة.

أقرأ أيضًا .. أورنستين يوضح حقيقة رحيل محمد صلاح عن ليفربول في الميركاتو الشتوي

وقال تورام: “إنتر ميلان نادرًا ما يتعثر في دوري أبطال أوروبا في المواسم الأخيرة، منذ انضمامي إلى إنتر حققنا الفوز في مباريات مهمة، في مباراة بهذا الحجم، كل شيء وارد لكن من المؤكد أننا افتقدنا شيئًا ما في المباريات الحاسمة هذا الموسم”.

وأضاف تورام في حديثه: “نعلم ما نحتاجه للتحسن، نادرًا ما يتعثر إنتر ميلان في دوري أبطال أوروبا في المواسم الأخيرة”.

كما تطرق تورام إلى أزمة محمد صلاح مع ليفربول ومستوى الفريق السيئ بشكل عام، حيث أوضح: “الحقيقة هي أنه عندما تظهر الشكوك يريد البطل إظهار قيمته الحقيقية، لم أشاهد مباريات ليفربول هذا العام، صلاح من أفضل لاعبي العالم، لكن ليفربول يضم العديد من اللاعبين الأقوياء، سيحاولون إثبات خطأ ادعاء الجميع بأن هذا هو الوقت المناسب لمواجهتهم”.

واختتم تورام في حديثه: ”قد يعتقد الجميع أن هذا هو الوقت المثالي لمواجهة ليفربول ولكن ربما لا، سنواجه فريقًا قويًا يضم لاعبين مميزين، علينا مواصلة ما قدمناه مؤخرًا بل وتحسينه”.

Arteta now has Arsenal's best finisher since Van Persie & it's not Gyokeres

It’s an excellent time to be an Arsenal fan at the moment.

Mikel Arteta’s side are four for four in the Champions League, through to the next round in the League Cup and top of the Premier League.

However, the North Londoners still have their problems, such as the growing number of injuries.

Moreover, Arteta now has to make do without summer signing Viktor Gyokeres, although the good news is that he has a solution in Arsenal’s best finisher since Robin van Persie.

Arsenal's solutions to Gyokeres' injruy

With Kai Havertz still out and Gabriel Jesus only just returning to first-team training, Arteta can get a little creative with his Gyokeres replacement.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

One option could be moving Leandro Trossard into the middle, as, unlike last season, he seems to be getting back to his dangerous best.

In fact, the Belgian international has already amassed an impressive tally of three goals and four assists for the side in 13 appearances.

Moreover, while the 30-year-old is primarily a winger, he’s no stranger to playing up top, having done so 49 times across his career.

However, should the manager wish to keep Trossard on the right, he could go with an even bolder choice: starting Ethan Nwaneri up top.

After all, only last season he told the press that the youngster “can play as a right winger and there is another position I think he can develop into – No9.”

Moreover, with an impressive tally of nine goals and two assists in just 1378 minutes last season, the teenager clearly has an eye for goal that’s hard to teach.

However, while Trossard and Nwaneri would probably do a fine job leading the line for a game, there is another player Arteta will almost certainly turn to, a player who could be looked at as Arsenal’s best finisher since Van Persie.

Arsenal's best finisher

While he does have a few options at his disposal, it seems almost certain that Arteta will opt to play Mikel Merino up top against Sunderland.

After all, over the last year or so, the Spaniard has put forward a very good case for him being the club’s best finisher since Van Persie.

Now, that is not to say that he’s been the best centre-forward since the Dutchman, as he hasn’t and wouldn’t even claim to be one.

However, his quality of finishing is superb, and his utterly outrageous catalogue of goals proves as much.

For example, in his very first game as the side’s striker, against Leicester City last season, he scored an excellent header and another one-touch finish into the bottom corner.

Then, at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League, he once again scored a sensational one-touch goal, but this time from the edge of the penalty area.

In fact, when looking back on the goals he has scored for the club, it becomes apparent that he’s at his very best when he has less time to think and has to finish with a single touch.

Fortunately for him and the rest of the team, he is something of a “magnet in the box,” per Arsenal writer Adam Keys, and so he often has just one opportunity to bury a chance.

Ultimately, it might sound hyperbolic, and Arteta won’t want him playing up top for much longer, but it’s hard to deny that Merino currently looks like Arsenal’s best finisher since Van Persie.

Arsenal have their next Xhaka who's one of the best in "world football"

The international gem could end up being an even better version of Xhaka for Arsenal and Arteta.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 7, 2025

Rahane steps down as Mumbai's Ranji Trophy captain

“I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player and will continue my journey with MCA to help us win more trophies,” Ajinkya Rahane says

ESPNcricinfo staff21-Aug-2025Ajinkya Rahane has given up the captaincy of the Mumbai Ranji Trophy team ahead of the 2025-26 domestic season, saying he believes “it’s the right time to groom a new leader”. In a communication to the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), Rahane, now 37, said he wants to continue as a player for the team.”Captaining and winning championships with the Mumbai team has been an absolute honour,” Rahane wrote in a social media post. “With a new domestic season ahead, I believe it’s the right time to groom a new leader. And hence I’ve decided not to continue in the captaincy role. I remain fully committed to giving my best as a player and will continue my journey with MCA to help us win more trophies. Looking forward to the season.”Rahane helped Mumbai break a nine-year drought by leading them to their 42nd Ranji Trophy title in 2023-24. While his red-ball form over the past two years has been patchy (467 runs in 27 innings with just one century), he was more fluent in the shorter formats. At the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in December last year, when he played under Shreyas Iyer, Rahane was the Player of the Tournament for his chart-topping 469 runs in a title-winning season.Related

  • The 91st season of the Ranji Trophy is unmissable – here's why

  • Sairaj Patil – the six-hitting, seam-bowling Mumbai man to watch out for

  • Setbacks in the past, Kushagra hopes to remain 'in the eyes of the selectors'

  • BCCI introduces 'serious injury replacement substitute' rule

Rahane was most recently in charge of Kolkata Knight Riders at IPL 2025, for whom he was the highest scorer with 390 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 147.27. The team had a mediocre season, though, finishing eighth with just five wins.In July, Rahane said he still possessed the “hunger and passion” for the game and for red-ball cricket, stating he even carried his trainers and cricket gear while on holiday in London to begin preparations for the upcoming domestic season.”I still want to play Test cricket,” Rahane had told Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton in an interview with . “I’m really passionate about playing Test cricket. I’m enjoying my cricket at the moment. For me, it’s all about focusing on the controllable things. Frankly, I tried to have conversations with the selectors, but [there are] things as a player I cannot control. I got no response.”As a player, all I can do is keep playing cricket, keep enjoying the game, and give my best each and every time. I love playing Test cricket, love playing red-ball [cricket], it’s a passion. The love for the game keeps me going.”Mumbai are currently preparing for the upcoming season by playing the Buchi Babu Invitational Tournament in Chennai, with a young squad led by 18-year-old Ayush Mhatre. Mumbai allrounder Shardul Thakur, a key member of their 2024-25 Ranji campaign, was named captain of West Zone for the season-opening Duleep Trophy.

Barcelona 'know perfectly well' where weaknesses lie as sporting director Deco dismisses 'irrelevant' concerns over Hansi Flick's style in wake of Club Brugge slip

Barcelona director Deco has labelled discussion of coach Hansi Flick's style "irrelevant" after a chaotic 3-3 Champions League draw with Club Brugge. Despite defensive frailties, Deco insists the club "know perfectly well" where to improve and will rely on nothing other than hard work, drawing parallels to overcoming difficulties last season.

  • Barcelona's defensive frailties exposed in chaotic Brugge draw

    Flick's side twice came from behind before they ultimately needed a 77th-minute own goal from Christos Tzolis to salvage a point in Belgium. The result has intensified scrutiny on Flick's high-risk, possession-based system, which has produced 12 goals but also conceded seven in four Champions League matches.

    The match at the Jan Breydel Stadium perfectly encapsulated Barcelona's current struggles. The Catalans dominated the ball, enjoying 77% possession and registering 23 shots, but were repeatedly carved open on the counter-attack.

    Club Brugge, in contrast, were ruthlessly efficient, scoring three times from just 11 total shots, with six of those hitting the target.

    Barcelona found themselves trailing after just six minutes to a Nicolo Tresoldi goal before Ferran Torres equalised. Carlos Forbs put the hosts back in front, and after Lamine Yamal's 61st-minute leveller, Forbs struck again just two minutes later to make it 3-2.

    Despite Flick previously stating he would not compromise on his aggressive style, the recurring defensive lapses have raised questions about the squad's suitability for the system.

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    Deco insists 'style discussion is irrelevant'

    Speaking to the club's media during an open training session at the Camp Nou, Deco was clear that the club's hierarchy is not panicking and is aware of the problems.

    When questioned about Flick's style and the team's defensive vulnerabilities, the sporting director shut down the debate.

    "The issue of discussing style is irrelevant," Deco said. "We already know perfectly well where we can improve and the difficulties we face.

    "Last season we also went through some difficult times and we were able to overcome them. By getting players back and regaining our form, staying united, and working hard… That's what we have to do.

    "We did it last season and we're going to do the same this season. Nothing can change things except hard work and dedication."

  • La Masia's new generation yet to play at 'spectacular' Camp Nou

    Deco's comments were made as the squad trained at the still-under-renovation Camp Nou, a move designed to familiarise the team's new faces with their future home.

    The director noted the "spectacular" progress of the stadium and the squad's anticipation of a return from their temporary home at Montjuic.

    "All of us at the club who are still in Montjuic miss being here," Deco said. "It feels like it was a magnificent stadium before, and now it's even more so. There are memories, of course, but the most important thing is that we can return as soon as possible. It's different playing here; the players have the same feeling."

    He also highlighted a remarkable statistic: that eight members of the current squad, many of them homegrown, have never played an official match at Camp Nou due to the two-and-a-half-year renovation.

    "This is a sign that things have been done well, that there are homegrown players, from La Masia, and this is important and a good sign because in the last two and a half years that we've been away, we've been able to bring through important players from La Masia," he said. "That's what Barca is about; the president was looking for this project."

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    What next? Barcelona's precarious Champions League position

    The 3-3 draw in Belgium leaves Barcelona in 11th place in the new Champions League league-phase standings. With a record of two wins, one draw, and one loss, they remain in a solid position to qualify for the play-off round (spots 9-16).

    However, the result puts significant pressure on their final four league phase matches if they hope to secure a top-eight finish, which guarantees direct entry into the last 16.

    Flick and Deco will be acutely aware that conceding seven goals in four European matches is not a sustainable rate for a team with ambitions of challenging for the trophy. The immediate priority will be to find a defensive balance in La Liga before their next European test, without sacrificing the attacking principles Flick is determined to maintain.

Aaron Boone Confident in His Yankees Future After Elimination: 'I'm Under Contract'

The Yankees fell short of the ultimate goal again when they were eliminated by the Blue Jays in Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday.

New York fell in a 2-0 hole after the series opened in Toronto and battled back to take Game 3 on Tuesday, only to watch its season end with a 5-2 loss in Game 4 on Wednesday night. After the game, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone was asked if he has any doubts about his future in New York after he finished his eighth year managing the team.

"No, I'm under contract," he said. "I don't expect anything."

Before the regular season, the Yankees announced they had reached a two-year contract extension with Boone to keep him as their manager through the 2027 season. He remains confident his team will eventually break through and win the franchise's first World Series since '09.

"I believe in so many people in that room," he said postgame via SNY. "That hasn't changed, the fire hasn't changed. It's hard to win the World Series, been chasing it all my life."

The Yankees went 94-68 in the regular season, tying the Blue Jays for the best record in the AL, but they were given the first wild-card spot because Toronto held the tiebreaker. They had a chance to put the Blue Jays behind them, but Toronto's home-field advantage and high-powered offense was too much to overcome. Boone admitted it wasn't the easiest year for him personally, but he expects to be back in the Bronx next season and make a run at the World Series full force.

"This has been a tough year for me personally," he mentioned Wednesday via Fox. "But all you go through to become this team you think can really do something special and for it to abruptly end is always difficult."

Winning at least 90 games in six of his eight seasons as the Yankees' skipper, Boone is still in search of that elusive World Series.

'Funniest player in the world'- Guglielmo Vicario savaged after howler gifts Fulham second goal after just six minutes against Tottenham

Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was mocked over social media after producing a howler as Tottenham found themselves 2-0 down inside just six minutes against Fulham on Saturday evening. The shot-stopper was punished by Spurs’ London rivals after going walkabout in the build up to the second goal of a chaotic opening to the Premier League encounter.

  • Vicario makes a mess of it as Tottenham go behind early doors

    Already trailing 1-0 after defender Kenny Tete put Fulham in front after just four minutes, Vicario soon compounded Tottenham’s misery following a rush of blood to the head. Racing off his goal line to thwart Fulham striker Raul Jimenez, the Italy international found himself in all sorts of trouble after miscontrolling the ball on his weaker left foot.

    In a tight spot near the corner flag, Vicario – under pressure from the revenge-seeking Jimenez – then got his clearance all wrong as he gave possession straight to the onrushing Josh King, who laid the ball off to Harry Wilson as the Fulham midfielder brilliantly curled the ball into an empty net.

    And to make matters worse, Vicario did not appear to apologise to his Spurs team-mates but rather shouted in their direction as Fulham’s players wheeled away in celebration at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

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    WATCH: Goalkeeper gets his clearance all wrong against Fulham

  • Italy international Vicario trolled for 'comical' and 'trash' mishap

    Writing on X, @mionomedev did not mince their words, posting: “Vicario funniest player in the world, dog**** touch, randomly decides to kick it to the opposition and then somehow is the one complaining when they score.”

    Describing the moment as “criminal”, @jaydmharris said: “Wilson makes it 2-0. Comical defending as Vicario storms out of his area, miskicks the ball by the touchline and Wilson whips the ball into an empty net.”

    Arsenal fan @gunnerpunner was enjoying watching his side’s bitter rivals struggle, writing: “Vicario is trash. Said it since he signed. But he made a few 1v1 saves. Spurs players get so much hype. But they’re all rubbish. Glad it eventually becomes clear.”

    And finally, @KevJStewart added: “Yeah, we’re a complete shambles — and despite his occasional displays of shot-stopping, Vicario IS among the worst culprits and NOT good enough on the whole. Idiot. Time for some to admit it. Do think we ultimately need a bigger name in charge and a shedload of quality signings…”

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    Shot-stopper's unfortunate mishap gave Spurs mountain to climb

    Tottenham were hoping to bounce back following back-to-back losses against Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain in the Premier League and Champions League respectively, but they gave themselves too big of a mountain to climb as they ultimately slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Fulham. 

    While Thomas Frank's side pulled a goal back through Mohammed Kudus, they were unable to find an equaliser as they suffered a fourth home defeat in all competitions this season. Spurs have now conceded 11 goals in their last three games, with Vicario between the sticks for each match.

Surrey face crucial game at Durham after eye-catching washout

Emma Jones, Alice Davidson-Richards shine with centuries before rain hits

ECB Reporters Network supported by Rothesay10-Sep-2025Surrey 313 for 5 (Jones 141, Davidson-Richards 107) vs Essex match abandonedRain denied Surrey the chance of securing a semi-final spot in the Metro Bank Women’s One-Day Cup, after centuries from Emma Jones and Alice Davidson-Richards had put them in a commanding position over Essex.With Somerset washed out away to Hampshire, a bonus-point victory for Surrey would have been enough to secure fourth place ahead of their final match away to Durham on Saturday.Instead, the rain, which arrived at the innings break and didn’t stop, means the match at Chester-le-Street now turns into an effective quarter-final, with Durham in fifth place and only three points behind Surrey.Surrey had made two changes to their team that lost to Lancashire at the weekend, one of which was Jones coming in at No.3 in place of Alice Capsey.Jones had played just one fifty-over match for Surrey this year, and while showing glimpses with the bat across the T20 season, no-one predicted that her inclusion would bring such dramatic results, as she compiled a chanceless 141 off only 117 balls to record her first century for Surrey.Jones entered this season without a half-century to her name in List A cricket, but has now scored two massive centuries in the format, after making 147 not out off 101 balls earlier this year while on loan at Glamorgan.After rain early in the day, Surrey’s innings had been reduced to 45 overs, although they still managed to finish on 313 for 5 on what was a difficult day in the field for Essex, who with just two wins from 13 matches, remain bottom of the table.”Jonesy was hitting them wonderfully,” said Davidson-Richards, who made 107.”I was just enjoying helping her along and watching her smash fours at the other end. I think sometimes it’s really simple and you just realise how the other person is ticking. It was a really nice partnership.”

Diretor do Palmeiras se revolta com acordo entre São Paulo e TJD

MatériaMais Notícias

O Palmeiras se incomodou com o acordo feito entre São Paulo e o Tribunal de Justiça Desportiva da Federação Paulista de Futebol (FPF) sobre as polêmicas no Choque-Rei. As partes definiram o pagamento de multas para dirigentes e jogadores do Tricolor envolvidos na confusão, evitando punições aos são-paulinos.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFora de CampoTorcedores do São Paulo registram filha com nome de Calleri, que reage nas redes sociaisFora de Campo13/03/2024São PauloSão Paulo define estratégia para substituir CalleriSão Paulo13/03/2024PalmeirasAllianz Parque deve ser liberado ao Palmeiras já na próxima semana; leia nota da Real ArenasPalmeiras13/03/2024

➡️ Siga o Lance! no WhatsApp e acompanhe em tempo real as principais notícias do esporte

Anderson Barros, diretor de futebol do Palmeiras, entende que o acordo abre um precedente no futebol brasileiro, e questionou a ausência de punição aos envolvidos no lado do São Paulo.

➡️Com R$100, você pode levar R$300 na Lance! Betting se RB Bragantino e Botafogo empatarem

– Se comete um ato grave e para não ser punido levanta o dedo e pede desculpas? E mais, vaza-se um vídeo antes da transação (disciplinar esportiva) ser assinada. Acho que estamos perdendo por completo a noção do que é racional em uma situação como essa – disse o dirigente palmeirense ao ge.

continua após a publicidade

Em vídeo vazado na terça-feira (12), Belmonte pediu desculpas a Abel Ferreira por chamá-lo de “português de me…”. O diretor do São Paulo explicou que buscava identificar o treinador do Palmeiras ao árbitro do jogo, Matheus Candançan.

– Nunca foi enviado ao Palmeiras (o vídeo) e não cabe enviar ao Palmeiras. Um vídeo transacional eu não consigo entender que ele tem valor que tem que ter. Quando você quer pedir desculpas a alguém, vai falar com a pessoa – esbravejou Anderson Barros.

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➡️ Veja os grupos e datas dos confrontos no Paulistão

A única chance de Palmeiras e São Paulo se enfrentarem na semifinal do Paulistão seria se o Verdão avancasse, o Tricolor passasse pelo Novorizontino nos pênaltis, o Red Bull Bragantino vencesse a Inter de Limeira e o Santos eliminasse a Portuguesa (no tempo normal ou pênaltis).

Tudo sobre

PalmeirasSão Paulo

Nancy could bin McCowan by unleashing “top-drawer” Celtic star in new role

Wilfried Nancy will manage his first match in charge of Celtic this afternoon as Hearts come to Parkhead in a top-of-the-table clash in the Scottish Premiership.

It will be interesting to see what tactical changes he has been able to implement after only a few days on the training pitch, as his usual system with his former club is different from the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 shape that the Hoops have played this season.

Per FBRef, Nancy played with a 3-4-2-1 or a 3-4-3 system in 31 of his 43 matches with Columbus Crew this year in all competitions, often playing with two second strikers or number tens behind a main centre-forward.

If the French boss goes with his favoured 3-4-2-1 system, he could ruthlessly drop Luke McCowan from the team that started against Dundee last time out.

Why Wilfried Nancy should drop Luke McCowan

The Scottish midfielder has started the last two league matches on the right wing in Martin O’Neill’s 4-2-3-1 system, but he has been ineffective in a new role, lacking the dynamism and pace required to be effective in that area of the pitch.

McCowan, who has not scored since the opening day of the season, did not score a goal or create a ‘big chance’ for the team against Hibernian or Dundee as a winger, per Sofascore.

He also completed just two of his five attempted dribbles, per Sofascore, struggling with the explosive turn of pace that is often needed to make things happen on the wing, whilst he also lost seven of his 11 duels in total across both matches.

These statistics suggest that McCowan should be dropped irrespective of a change in formation, but a change in shape to a 3-4-2-1 would allow Nancy to ditch the Scotsman by unleashing Johnny Kenny in a new role.

The new role that Johnny Kenny could play for Celtic

It has been a rollercoaster couple of months for the Ireland international, who went from rarely playing under Brendan Rodgers to scoring four goals in O’Neill’s first four games, to now being on the bench behind Daizen Maeda.

Kenny has been an unused substitute in the last three matches, which means that he has still scored four goals in his last five appearances for the club, per Sofascore, and Nancy could bring him back into the fold as an attacking midfielder or second striker.

The two roles behind the striker in a 3-4-2-1 system are unique because it can be a very fluid front three with a lot of movement, and that could suit both Kenny and Maeda, the former of whom has been praised for his “top-drawer” mentality by his former Sligo Rovers coach Conor O’Grady.

Celtic’s Irish striker has shown that he can score goals for the club, with his four-goal burst under O’Neill, but Nancy’s job is to find the best way to fit him into the system to get the best out of him.

Per Transfermarkt, the 22-year-old star has never played as a second striker or as an attacking midfielder in his career to date. It is a role that could suit him quite nicely, though.

How Celtic could line up in a 3-4-2-1

Position

Player

GK

Kasper Schmeichel

CB

Dane Murray

CB

Auston Trusty

CB

Liam Scales

RWB

Colby Donovan

CM

Callum McGregor

CM

Reo Hatate

LWB

Kieran Tierney

AM

Hyun-jun Yang

AM

Johnny Kenny

ST

Daizen Maeda

As you can see in the XI above, Kenny could play as one of two players behind Maeda, who is a relentless pressing forward who can also play deeper or out wide, and could rotate across all three positions.

This fluidity could suit the Irishman because of his mobility and desire to run beyond the last line to create chances for himself, without being the focal point who has to bring physicality and hold up play, because it will be Maeda in that position.

Of course, it is hard to judge how the system will look until Nancy has had a few games to test things out and more time on the training pitch to coach the players, but Kenny seems like a player who could benefit from a 3-4-2-1 formation.

That change in shape, whilst helping the striker, would also allow the manager to drop an underperforming player, McCowan, from the starting line-up to provide the young forward with a chance to shine in a brand-new role in his career.

Better than Maeda: Celtic star is going to be undroppable under Nancy

This Celtic star who was even better than Daizen Maeda against Dundee should be Wilfried Nancy’s first undroppable star.

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By
Dan Emery

Dec 4, 2025

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