16/08/2025

SPORTS SATURDAY | AUG 16, 2025

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Real ambition Alonso’s Los Blancos start La Liga with fresh energy R EAL MADRID, featuring several new signings, approach the new season with fresh hope under recently-appointed coach Xabi Alonso, looking to turn the page on a disappointing end to the Carlo Ancelotti era with “ambitious” football.

Morocco sink Zambia, DRC deny Angola

TWO-TIME champions Morocco and DR Congo clawed their way back into quarterfinal contention with wins over Zambia and Angola in the African Nations championships yesterday. Morocco crushed Zambia 3-1, while DR Congo needed two second-half goals to defeat Angola. The Zambian back line sustained high pressure as Morocco dominated the early proceedings at the Nyayo National Stadium but the North Africans failed to cash in on three clear chances. The Atlas Lions took the lead in first half injury time when captain Mohamed Hrimat got onto Youssef Mehri’s outswinging corner. Defender Happy Nsiku appeared to have levelled for Zambia in the 65th minute but he was denied after a VAR review confirmed an infringement in the build-up to the goal. Oussama Lamlaoui then capitalised on the confusion to grab Morocco’s second just a minute later, before substitute Andrew Phiri pulled one back for Zambia on 70 minutes. Midfielder Sabir Bougrine’s stoppage-time strike sent Morocco to second place in Group A with six points, only a point behind leaders Kenya. Fellow two-time winners DR Congo beat Angola 2-0 to end their opponents’ hopes of progression in the tournament. Runners-up in 2011, Angola needed victory in their last group match to challenge Kenya at the top of the table, but two second half goals put paid to those hopes. Jephte Kitambala and Mokonzi Katumbwe capped an impressive display for the Congolese, as they kept alive their chances of a place in the quarterfinals. The Leopards are tied on six points with Morocco, with the two sides meeting in their final group-stage match tomorrow. Kenya will play Zambia in the second match to decide the quarterfinalists. – AFP

does not appear to be part of the coach’s plans, playing a bit-part role in the States. Madrid go into the season without Luka Modric in the squad for the first time in over a decade, with the Croatian’s experience and quality a big miss for a side lacking some guile in midfield. Los Blancos ’ hope is for Turkish playmaker Arda Guler to be able to thrive there and become a player who can control the tempo of a game. “The coach is trying to make us have more control of the game, and that’s better for me,” said Guler. The 20-year-old should get plenty of chances to play at the start of the season with Jude Bellingham sidelined until around mid October after shoulder surgery to solve a long-running issue. By then new arrival and fellow England international Alexander-Arnold may have established himself in the side. The fullback, who joined from Liverpool before the end of his contract so he could play at the Club World Cup, adds further attacking quality to a Madrid squad brimming with it.

the defence has to push forward too.” Alonso is looking to obtain the balance that Ancelotti failed to achieve last season following Mbappe’s arrival from PSG. Although the French superstar struck 43 goals under Ancelotti it was not enough to inspire a Madrid side that finished the season without a major trophy, while Barcelona reclaimed La Liga as part of a domestic treble. Mbappe’s illness with a stomach bug kept him out of Madrid’s group matches at the Club World Cup, but on his first start was in the destruction by PSG. “We have to be self-critical,

Former Liverpool and Los Blancos midfielder Alonso saw at the Club World Cup in the United States this summer there is plenty of work to do, as Paris Saint-Germain thrashed Madrid 4-0 in the semifinal. “Things are going to be different… we are starting from scratch,” said Alonso, although some of his findings from the tournament will undoubtedly influence his approach. Madrid fans also got their first glimpse of the Basque tactician’s plans, and also of England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold. Alonso showed tactical flexibility, utilising both a four-man and three-man defence, whereas his predecessor Ancelotti

but it will also serve us as a guide for where we need to improve,” said Alonso. If Alonso can find the formula for Mbappe and Vinicius to work together without sacrificing too much out of possession remains to be seen, while winger Rodrygo Goes

tended to stick with four at the back and was criticised for not being adaptive enough in games. By contrast Alonso was keen to adjust things during matches if he could, including the positioning of his players, and keen to impress on his squad they must all help defensively and with pressing. “We need and want everyone to defend – the 11 players on the pitch have to be involved defensively,” said Alonso during the tournament, asked specifically about star forwards Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe. “They have to know how we want to press, and without that, things will be very complicated,” continued Alonso. “Vini, Jude (Bellingham), Fede (Valverde), Kylian, those up front,

Madrid hope Dean Huijsen could help solve some issues at the back, while Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono also join, with Los Blancos spending over €170 million (RM850m) this summer. Dani Carvajal’s return from a long-term knee injury is another piece of good news for a Madrid side who need it after their 2024/25 campaign was more noteworthy for the club’s attacks on referees than for success on the field. Alonso, who hopes to

play an “ambitious” game with “emotion and energy”, wants the world to be talking about Real Madrid’s football once again. – AFP

Vinicius Junior (left) and Federico Valverde.

Bayern’s Bundesliga crown up for grabs

P R ETE N DE R S to the crown Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen and cup holders Stuttgart are priming themselves for a run at Bayern Munich’s Bundesliga title after a frustrating summer transfer window for the Bavarian giants. Bayern travel to Stuttgart tomorrow (2.30am Malaysian time) for the Franz Beckenbauer Supercup – the season opener which pits the defending league champions against the reigning German Cup victors. Winners of 12 of the past 13 Bundesliga titles,

His replacement, former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag, will be looking to revive his own reputation while cobbling together a squad with several new arrivals. Impressive last season in finishing third, Eintracht Frankfurt are also rebuilding, having lost centre-forward Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool in July, just six months after winger Omar Marmoush moved to Manchester City. Quietly building under Bundesliga-winning coach Niko Kovac, Borussia Dortmund could again trouble old foes Bayern this term. Kovac took over the reins in January with Dortmund flailing but helped the club rise from 11th to fourth, picking up 22 of a possible 24 points to end the season. The addition of Jobe Bellingham will provide steel in midfield, while the only major loss is winger Jamie Gittens who moved to Chelsea, having struggled for game time under Kovac. Cup winners Stuttgart, who finished second ahead of Bayern in 2023/24, look set to continue troubling the big guns. Stuttgart captain Atakan Karazor told AFP and other media yesterday: “We have a very special team… we’ve got quality players in every position – even some that people haven’t heard of.” – AFP

Kimmich nominated former side RB Leipzig to bounce back after a poor 2024/25 campaign, where they missed out on Europe for the first time in the top flight. The Saxon club have brought in several young talents including winger Johan Bakayoko and midfielder Arthur Vermeeren, in former Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp’s first summer transfer window as Red Bull global head of football. “Leipzig have a good team. Because Leipzig aren’t in European competition, they’ll be able to concentrate on the Bundesliga,” Kimmich added. Leverkusen, Bayern’s principal rival across the past two seasons, have undergone a clear out this summer. Most of the main contributors to their stunning unbeaten 2023/24 league and cup double have moved on. Wirtz, along with wing-back Jeremie Frimpong have signed with Liverpool. Midfield conductor Granit Xhaka has also moved to the Premier League, while Germany defender Jonathan Tah has joined title rivals Bayern. The biggest loss of all, however, is coach Xabi Alonso, with the Spaniard departing to join Real Madrid.

Although Bayern secured attacker Luis Diaz from the English champions, they lost Thomas Muller, Leroy Sane and Eric Dier on free transfers. Kingsley Coman is set for a move to Saudi Arabia, Mathys Tel made his Spurs loan permanent and efforts to sign Germany striker Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart have been rebuffed. Speaking with the Bundesliga website yesterday, Bayern captain Joshua Kimmich said the shifting sands across the league this summer made it hard to see who would be their main rivals. “We’ll see who knocks at the top.

Bayern occupy their usual role as favourites for the crown. This year, however, the 34-time league champions have not had everything go their own way. Efforts to lure Florian Wirtz away from Leverkusen fell flat, with the German footballer of the year opting rather for a move to the Premier League and Liverpool.

“For us, it will be important to go our own way. “We can’t influence what the others will do,” Kimmich said.

Joshua Kimmich.