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      Haaland v Havertz: a style subplot as City’s goal machine meets Arsenal’s false 9 | Karen Carney

      news.movim.eu / TheGuardian · 12:41

    The Norwegian remains ruthless but in the awkward German the title pretenders have acquired a player growing in efficiency

    Sir Alex Ferguson once said: “Attack wins you games, defence wins you championships.” The meeting of Manchester City and Arsenal on Sunday could well prove the former Manchester United manager right.

    The teams are very different in style when it comes to their centre-forwards. Manchester City have arguably the world’s best No 9 in Erling Haaland, whereas Kai Havertz assumes the role of a false 9 for Arsenal. The contrasts make for an intriguing match at the Etihad, with both teams knowing the importance of the result.

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      Who is in form as the Premier League hits the business end of the season?

      news.movim.eu / TheGuardian · 11:43

    Arsenal face their biggest test of the campaign on Sunday. Their trip to Manchester City could not have come at a better time

    By Ben McAleer for WhoScored

    Domestic duties return with a bang this weekend as Manchester City host Arsenal in what could prove a decisive clash in the Premier League title race. Just a point separates the pair at the top of the table and, with Liverpool playing Brighton earlier in the day on Sunday, neither side can afford to drop points at the Etihad.

    Before the big games this weekend, WhoScored have assessed the players who have shone in recent weeks. To qualify, players must have featured in two of their side’s last three games, and six of their last eight. The ratings are also weighted chronologically, with recency bias coming into effect.

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      Euro 2024 power rankings: a look at the 24 teams going to Germany

      news.movim.eu / TheGuardian · 08:00

    While France and England are among the favourites, Austria could spring a surprise

    This was not a vintage window for Didier Deschamps’ side with a home defeat against Germany followed up by a shaky 3-2 win against Chile in Marseille. The captain, Kylian Mbappé, had a difficult few days and the absence of Antoine Griezmann, who missed his first France games for seven years because of injury, was clearly felt. There were positives, however, with the 18-year-old Warren Zaïre-Emery having a good game against Germany and Randal Kolo Muani scoring and assisting against Chile. Deschamps made nine changes for the second game with William Saliba getting a rare start in Marseille, even though the coach had said beforehand that the Arsenal player “does things he doesn’t like”. Still the team to beat. Marcus Christenson

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      Rashford’s England rivals circle as his United slump goes international

      news.movim.eu / TheGuardian · Yesterday - 22:30

    Out-of-form attacker was mostly overlooked by Southgate in friendlies as Bowen, Gordon and Maddison took their chance

    Gareth Southgate did say. When the England manager announced his squad for the Wembley friendlies with Brazil and Belgium, he made clear that Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish faced competition for their Euro 2024 places from the next generation of wide attackers – specifically Anthony Gordon and Cole Palmer. There was also a prominent namecheck for Jarrod Bowen.

    As the dust settled on the international window, which was defined for Southgate by injury chaos and the usual debate about who had advanced their claims or hurt them , it was easy to go back to those words. And to process another round of them that, for Rashford in particular, did not sound encouraging.

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      Mayra Ramírez opener eases Chelsea into WCL semi-finals despite Ajax rally

      news.movim.eu / TheGuardian · Yesterday - 22:04

    Chelsea progressed to the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League despite being held at Stamford Bridge by a stubborn Ajax. Mayra Ramírez fired the hosts ahead before Chasity Grant levelled in the second half to ensure parity on the night. It mattered little, however, as Chelsea went through 4-1 on aggregate.

    It has been a relentless month for Emma Hayes’ side with this tie their seventh fixture in March. This, combined with the fact that Chelsea had brought a comfortable 3-0 lead back home from Amsterdam, meant that mass rotation was understandable. There were seven alterations to the line-up that had started in their league victory over West Ham with Zecira Musovic getting a relatively rare outing in goal and Fran Kirby returning to support the attack after making her 200th appearance for the club at the weekend. Ramírez, meanwhile, finally made her Champions League debut for her new club after returning from injury.

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      Chelsea v Ajax: Women’s Champions League quarter-final, second leg – live

      news.movim.eu / TheGuardian · Yesterday - 19:03

    The team news is in. Mayra Ramirez starts for Chelsea after recovering from injury with Lauren James starting from the bench.

    Ajax, meanwhile, bring captain Sherida Spitse back into the line-up.

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      Luis Rubiales faces 30 month jail sentence for Hermoso kiss

      news.movim.eu / TheGuardian · Yesterday - 18:54

    • Spanish prosecutors issue two charges against Rubiales
    • Three others alleged to have coerced Hermoso

    Luis Rubiales could face a prison sentence of two and a half years if convicted of kissing Jenni Hermoso on the lips against her will, court documents have shown. The former Spanish football federation chief has been charged with one count of sexual assault and one of coercion in the aftermath of the kiss, offences carrying jail terms of one year and 18 months respectively.

    The 46-year-old grabbed Hermoso and kissed her on the lips on 20 August during the awards ceremony after Spain beat England in the Women’s World Cup final in Sydney, sparking global outrage and causing a national debate in Spain about sexism. Hermoso and her teammates said the kiss was unwanted and demeaning, but Rubiales argued it was consensual and denied any wrongdoing.

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      When a tenner bought you Biba and a shared bedroom | Brief letters

      news.movim.eu / TheGuardian · Yesterday - 18:35

    Biba secretary types in | Affordable festivals | Questionable internet searches | Who to vote for | Spurs fans spread out

    I was that secretary who earned £10 a week ( Microminis, Twiggy and flamingos: the ‘fabulous’ story of Biba, 22 March ). I bought those £3 dresses and had just enough to pay my rent in a shared bedroom in, at that time, unfashionable Notting Hill Gate. The material was often thick and the armholes tight, so you could only wear the dresses a few times before buying another one. Dry cleaning was too expensive. I still have a few Biba pieces.
    Lynn Wiseman
    Lewes, East Sussex

    • Every year you do an excellent festival guide . But almost every year you miss out the country’s most affordable, family-friendly, beautifully sited one. Purbeck Valley folk festival has dance, crafts, fancy dress, therapies, choir, storytelling, pyrotechnics and four days of the best music.
    Moira Nunn
    Bristol

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      Lionesses legend Steph Houghton to retire at the end of the season

      news.movim.eu / TheGuardian · Yesterday - 18:16


    • City defender won 121 caps for England during glittering career
    • ‘Taking the decision is such a difficult thing to do’

    The former England captain Steph Houghton has announced her intention to retire at the end of the season.

    The 35-year-old Manchester City defender, who won 121 caps for the Lionesses, will end her playing career at the end of the Women’s Super League campaign.

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