We need to work on being tactically smarter in key moments: Eric Simons
Stunning Twist To Pope Election; Cardinal Becciu Drops BOMBSHELL On Vatican | 'I Won't...'
Disgraced Italian Cardinal Angelo Becciu has formally renounced his right to participate in the upcoming conclave to elect the next Pope. Once seen as a powerful figure and even a papal contender, Becciu issued a public statement declaring he would 'obey the late Pope Francis' and not enter the conclave. Despite being under 80 and technically eligible, the Vatican has categorized him as a non-elector due to his conviction in a high-profile financial scandal. Becciu was sentenced to 5.5 years in prison after being found guilty of financial misconduct, ending his influential ecclesiastical career in disgrace.#pope #vatican #angelobecciu #popefrancis #vaticanconclave #cardinalbecciu
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Hindustan Times
28 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Five challenges Ancelotti faces as Brazil reign kicks off
After a warm welcome to Brazil, Carlo Ancelotti, the Selecao's first foreign coach in more than 50 years, is on a mission to fix a stuttering team and win back fans which starts on Thursday against Ecuador in a World Cup qualifier. The 65-year-old Italian led his first training session on Monday in Guayaquil, Ecuador, ahead of what should be his first match, if his move from Real Madrid passes scrutiny by football's governing body FIFA. AFP identifies five issues Ancelotti faces: "The only goal is to win the 2026 World Cup," said Ancelotti when he took the job. First he has to get there. The South American group is a two-year, 18-match marathon. Brazil's campaign has included a first-ever home World Cup qualifying defeat, 1-0 at the Maracana to old enemy Argentina, part of a run of three straight defeats in 2023 that ended the coaching reign of Fernando Diniz. Their last match was a 4-1 humiliation in Argentina in March that finished off former coach Dorival Junior. Yet the format is forgiving. The top six in the 10-team group qualify directly for the World Cup. Brazil are fourth, six points clear of Venezuela in seventh with four matches to go. Ecuador may be second in the group, but are only two points ahead of Brazil, who then host Paraguay, who are fifth. Qualifying ends in September with a visit to last-place Chile and a home game against struggling Bolivia. Brazil is still churning out dazzling attackers but the production line has stalled on No. 9s. In this century, Romario, Ronaldo and Adriano have all led the attack and banged in the goals. The nearest player to a classic No. 9 in Ancelotti's first squad is a player he coached at Everton, Richarlison, now of Tottenham. Yet Ancelotti has won without a central striker before. His 2024 Champions League winning side was led by two Brazilians: Vinicius Jr, who is in Ancelotti's squad, and Rodrygo, who he did not select. Ancelotti also has Raphinha of Barcelona, who was joint top scorer in this season's Champions League. A bigger problem might be supplying the attackers, veteran Brazilian football journalist Juca Kfouri told AFP. With Brazil's youth academies focusing on defensive midfielders and quick wingers rather than classic creators, the Selecao faces a shortage of ideas in midfield. In Brazil's last two outings Dorival Junior tried Bruno Guimaraes, Gerson, Andre and Joelinton in the role. None convinced. At Madrid, Ancelotti "had Toni Kroos as a supply line for Vini. Brazil does not have a Toni Kroos," said sports writer Tim Vickery on his 'Brazilian Shirt Name' podcast. Ancelotti has recalled Kroos's former Real Madrid midfield partner Casemiro, although the 33-year-old now with Manchester United is primarily a defensive player to add, the coach said, "charisma, personality and talent." The supply of swashbuckling fullbacks, such as Carlos Alberto, Cafu and Roberto Carlos another hallmark of great Brazil teams has also dried up. Ancelotti has recalled Carlos Augusto, part of the Inter Milan team crushed in the Champions League final, and picked Flamengo duo Wesley Franca and Alex Sandro after seeing them play last week in a 1-0 victory over Venezuelan team Deportivo Tachira in the Copa Libertadores. Ancelotti needs to rebuild the bond between the team and the public. Part of the problem is that after Brazil won five World Cups playing mostly the "jogo bonito" , fans have little patience with mediocrity. But many supporters have been turned off by the way the famous yellow jersey has been hijacked as a symbol by supporters of far-right former president Jair Bolsonaro. "This issue of the extreme right appropriating the jersey has distanced part of the country," said Kfouri, adding Ancelotti called on the fans when he took the job saying, "I hope to have the support and help of the country." jss/app/raa/pb/iwd/gj TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Hindustan Times
2 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Messi back with Argentina and Ancelotti debuts with Brazil in South American World Cup qualifying
SAO PAULO — Brazil's new coach Carlo Ancelotti is getting a little help from his old friend Casemiro as he prepares for his debut in South American World Cup qualifying at Ecuador. Meanwhile star Lionel Messi is expected to play Thursday for Argentina at Chile after a seven-month absence. Veteran midfielder Casemiro, who has had success with the Italian coach at Real Madrid, is likely to be a starter in a match Thursday that could ease the pressure on Brazil, currently in fourth position in the standings. A home win could also put Ecuador close to its berth in the World Cup. The 37-year Messi seems to be in shape to return for Argentina. His most recent game for the World Cup champions was in November 2024. A muscle injury prevented him from playing in the March doubleheader, in which Lionel Scaloni's team secured its spot to defend its title. Argentina leads the round-robin competition with 31 points in 14 matches. Ecuador , Uruguay , Brazil , Paraguay , and Colombia could secure direct births this month. The seventh-place team, which will advance to an international playoff, could be Venezuela , Bolivia or even Peru and Chile . Also on Thursday, Paraguay will host Uruguay. Friday's matches are Colombia vs. Peru and Venezuela against Bolivia. Ancelotti has been very communicative with returning players Casemiro and striker Richarlison. Both players were in Brazil's starting lineup in the 15 minutes allowed for journalists to watch practice at the Corinthians training ground in Sao Paulo. Next week, Brazil will prepare at the same venue for the match against Paraguay. Raphinha, who is suspended for the game in Guayaquil, will return to the team next week. Defender Alexsandro, who also hopes to have his national team debut this month, said he was excited about Ancelotti's interest in long conversations with his players. The Italian is still learning Portuguese, but managed to get his message across in Spanish, the Lille player added. 'I saw after our trainings he is very communicative, always asking questions, willing to know more, giving tips. That's important for us to grow, get all the experience and the achievements he has,' Alexsandro said Tuesday. 'We need to take this to the next few matches, qualify and get to the World Cup.' Defender Marquinhos, who had his first training with Ancelotti on Tuesday after lifting the Champions League title with Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday, said Ancelotti's arrival will boost Brazil's chances to add a sixth star to its crest. 'You can see that the arrival of our coach brings this energy for the start, it is about something new coming. This short run until the World Cup, having this energy, it will be very important," Marquinhos said. Messi's return will add to three new faces Argentina is expected to feature against Chile, if their first training session was an indication. Defenders Kevin Lomónaco and Mariano Troilo , and striker Franco Mastantuono, the 17-year-old River Plate targeted by major European clubs, are likely to get tested. Scaloni will have to decide who will replace defender Nicolás Otamendi, who is suspended for the match at the National Stadium in Santiago. His main options are Leonardo Balerdi and Facundo Medina. Suspensions and injuries will also force Argentina to change its midfield. Alexis Mac Allister was ruled out, while Enzo Fernández and Leandro Paredes are suspended. Frequent starter Rodrigo De Paul is expected to be joined by Giovanni Lo Celso and Exequiel Palacios. soccer: /hub/soccer
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Best of enemies
A former associate editor with the Times of India, Jug Suraiya writes two regular columns for the print edition, Jugular Vein, which appears every Friday, and Second Opinion, which appears on Wednesdays. His blog takes a contrarian view of topical and timeless issues, political, social, economic and speculative. LESS ... MORE It's only within the confines of the subcontinent that Pakistan and India engage in conflict No, no, please! How can I accept money from you? This is my home and you are a guest here. I can't take money from a guest. The speaker was a Washington DC taxi driver, a middle-aged migrant from Lahore who had settled in US years ago. Bunny and I had been to one of the Smithsonian museums, those wonderful repositories of art and culture that are a hallmark of the city. When we emerged, there was a thunderstorm with torrential rain. We were lucky to get a cab that was dropping off a museum visitor. The cab driver asked where we were from, and when we said India, with a beaming smile he switched from English to Urdu. During the 20-minute ride, we talked about each other's families, where we lived, what his grown-up children did. There was no mention of Kashmir, or Partition, or something called a two-nation theory. We were chance-met strangers with common roots encountering each other in a foreign land. It took all my powers of persuasion to get our new-found friend to accept the taxi fare. And from him, we received heartfelt blessings for our well-being. In the picture-postcard Italian town of Polignano, upon hearing that we were Indian, a young Pakistani waiter confided in us his future plans, including finding a bride back home, with the emotional intimacy of a family member. It happens time and again, for many of us who meet Pakistanis abroad. Never have so-called foes been friendlier, going out of their way to be of help, striking some deep chord of fellowship that belies a history of bitter conflict. It is only within the subcontinent that the two countries are entrenched adversaries. The mutual antagonism inflamed by the shrill bellicosity of vicarious warriors who exhort others to do the fighting for them, and for whom the word 'peace' is another word for 'treason'. Taken out of this geographic and political context, mutual animus transforms into a shared amity. That's the enigma that binds together the best of enemies. Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
