🚨 Raya's penalty heroics, Barça finally beaten, Carvajal joins strike calls, Arsenal teen makes history and much more
Plus all the other stories making the headlines in the world of football...
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Today’s top stories:
Plus Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Real Madrid and much more
AEK Athens
Anthony Martial signs in as a new AEK Athens player, formal steps completed.
Arsenal
Arsenal gem Max Dowman has become the youngest goal scorer in UEFA Youth League history. 14 years, 8 months, 19 days old. One more talent for Arsenal’s Academy.
Arsenal consider delaying Martin Odegaard’s return from injury [HITC]
Rumours continue to swirl around Gabriel Magalhaes. Fabrizio Romano picks apart what’s next for the defender.
Atlético Madrid
Conor Gallagher: “When I look back at my memories at Chelsea, I’m very proud and honoured but it was time to move on and Atléti is the perfect club to make the next chapter in my career. I feel very lucky to be here.”
Conor Gallagher reveals: “Before I returned to London due to complications in the deal between Atléti and Chelsea, I had a meeting with Cholo Simeone. He told me: ‘we’ll make sure to sign you, all you have to do is be ready when you come back to Madrid.’”
Saudi Arabia interested in becoming new owners of Atlêtico Madrid [Mundo Deportivo]
Barcelona
Cristiano Ronaldo: “I see a lot of talent in Lamine Yamal. I hope he does not have any problems in the future and I think he will be one of the best in this generation, for sure.”
Lamine Yamal has scored 4 goals and provided 4 assists in first 6 games of the season with Barcelona… Assist vs Valencia, goal vs Athletic Club, assist vs Rayo Vallecano, two assists vs Real Valladolid, two goals vs Girona and one goal vs AS Monaco.
Hansi Flick: “I'm very proud of this team and I’m very optimistic with them. We have to accept the loss, but we have seven matches to go and I'm sure we'll come back. Casadó doesn’t have any injury, just a knock.”
Barcelona face competition for 15-year-old Mexican [Sport]
Barcelona were looking at a new name for their midfield in the summer. Who was it? Fabrizio Romano has all the details.
Bayern Munich
Bayern are extremely happy with Michael Olise, not just for his three goals in the last two games. Impact has been excellent and Bayern believe he’s been a bargain for £45m + £5m add-ons. Management and staff both see huge potential as he can develop a lot and quickly.
Champions League
Red Star vs Benfica (1-2): The Portuguese giants raced into a ninth-minute lead thanks to Muhammed Kerem Aktürkoğlu, and Orkun Kökçü doubled their advantage before the half hour. Milson’s 86th-minute response was nothing more than a consolation for the hosts.
Feyenoord vs Leverkusen (0-4): It was a walk in the park for Xabi Alonso’s side in the Netherlands, due in no small part to the excellent performance of Florian Wirtz. His double added to one from Alejandro Grimaldo and an own goal from Timon Wellenreuther, all of which were scored before half time [pictures from TNT Sports]:
Victor Boniface: “From paying 30naira to watch Champions League football… to playing my first Champions League game. Proud of this moment.”
Brest vs Sturm Graz (2-1): In an exciting match in France, the hosts prevailed thanks to goals from Hugo Magnetti and Abdallah Sima, which sandwiched an own goal from Edmilson Fernandes. The visitors also had Dimitri Lavalée sent off late on.
Atalanta vs Arsenal (0-0): Perhaps unsurprisingly, an injury-hit Gunners side were unable to get going against Atalanta, but they had David Raya to thank for earning them a point after a stunning double save. David Raya: “This save was just incredible. Maybe not the best one of my career but for sure in the top three.” [pictures from TNT Sports]:
Atlético Madrid vs RB Leipzig (2-1): Atléti left it late to earn all three points in Madrid. Benjamin Šeško had given Leipzig a fourth-minute lead before Antoine Griezmann brought the Rojiblancos level. José Maria Giménez sent the crowd home happy with the winner on 90 minutes.
AS Monaco vs Barcelona (2-1): After Barcelona had Eric Garcia sent off after just 11 minutes, the visitors were always going to find it difficult against Monaco. A brilliant Maghnes Akliouche opener was cancelled out by Lamine Yamal before the half hour, before George Ilenikhena bagged the winner on 71.
Champions League table after match day one:
Fabrizio Romano was impressed with one particular performance in the opening set of Champions League fixtures.
Chelsea
Carney Chukwuemeka's summer of uncertainty is explained in a brilliant and forensic deep dive from Si Phillips.
What’s next for Mykhailo Mudryk? Fabrizio Romano has the latest news.
Liverpool
Star that Jurgen Klopp called ‘exceptional’ isn’t in Arne Slot’s plans [The Athletic]
Is Martin Zubimendi already regretting his decision to turn Liverpool down? Fabrizio Romano has an up to date assessment.
Manchester United
Mason Mount, back to training as he’s ready to be back in the squad after injury.
Erik ten Hag on Højlund and Mount: “It's very good news they are back on the pitch! They are back in team training. We have to decide whether they are fit enough to start [on Saturday], but it is very pleasing they are fit and back in the squad.”
Ten Hag on Rashford: “Very good, of course, your striker starting to score when the season is very young. Strikers need that belief. Very good for the team. It will strengthen their belief.”
Erik ten Hag on Antony: “Every player should give those reactions, same as he had on Tuesday night. You have to train hard, you have to perform in training, you have to earn the right to play, and when the moment is your chance, you have to take them.”
Noussair Mazraoui: “I knew I would eventually want to play in the Premier League. But to be able to play for this big club, Man United… it’s only a dream that I could never dream of. It was not something I had already in my mind but, like I said, it’s every step.”
Joshua Zirkzee: “What attracted me to join Man United? Well… this club is just huge. Let me say that Manchester United attracted me, not really the Premier League.”
16 year old talent Samuel Lusale confirms his move to Manchester United Academy from Crystal Palace.
Popular Man United signing says best is yet to come [Man United]
Real Madrid
Dani Carvajal when asked about number of games being played: “Going on a strike for us as players is a possibility. The players are not taken into account, we have to raise our voice.”
Real Madrid to bring Jude Bellingham’s wages in line with Kylian Mbappé’s [Sport]
RKC
Mohamed Ihattaren has joined RKC in the Netherlands.