logo
Sacchi: Liverpool ‘impressed me the most' in Champions League

Sacchi: Liverpool ‘impressed me the most' in Champions League

Yahoo30-01-2025

Arrigo Sacchi says Federico Chiesa's Liverpool impressed him the most in the Champions League's opening phase.
The Reds have won the league phase, earning 21 points in eight games.
Sacchi, a former Milan and Italy coach, wrote in his column for La Gazzetta dello Sport that Arne Slot's side were the most impressive team in the first part of the tournament.
'The team that impressed me the most was undoubtedly Liverpool,' wrote the ex-Azzurri boss.
'They're going full throttle. Stopping the Reds when they accelerate is practically impossible, as their dominance in the Premier League proves. After Klopp's era, the new coach Slot has managed, with great humility, to maintain certain tactical principles of his predecessor and add a few small details to bring back enthusiasm to the environment.
'I've' also been watching the evolution of Arteta's' Arsenal with interest: an English team led with a Spanish touch,' added Sacchi.
'This blend, combining Anglo-Saxon physicality with Latin technique, produces results and excitement.'
Four Serie A clubs have qualified for the knockout phase, but while Inter finished in the top eight and gained direct access to the Round of 16, Juventus, Milan and Atalanta will have to go through the playoff.
Sacchi predicted Inter would fight to win the competition but urged Juventus and Milan to 'wake up' after disappointing results and performances against Benfica and Dinamo Zagreb.
Rossoneri and Bianconeri could meet in the playoff knockout. The draw will take place on Friday, January 31.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Report: Frank To Spurs 'Accelerate Quite Quickly Now'
Report: Frank To Spurs 'Accelerate Quite Quickly Now'

Yahoo

time11 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Report: Frank To Spurs 'Accelerate Quite Quickly Now'

Why Spurs Want Thomas Frank – And Why It Could Actually Work It has often been said that Tottenham Hotspur are a club in constant search of an identity. Post-Pochettino, they have lurched between pragmatism and possession, charm and chaos, all without truly settling on a direction. But now, there's a new sense of clarity. Advertisement As Sky Sports News' Michael Bridge reported from Spurs' training ground, things appear to be moving swiftly: 'I think this will accelerate quite quickly now. One, Spurs only want Thomas Frank. Two, Thomas Frank wants Tottenham.' That sort of mutual desire, particularly in modern football's often awkward arranged marriages, is not to be underestimated. Frank, who just steered Brentford through another solid Premier League campaign, brings more than just tactical acumen. He offers alignment — with values, vision, and, crucially, with Tottenham's long-term ambitions. What Spurs See in Frank Frank's Brentford side are rarely glamorous, but they are relentlessly effective. His teams punch above their weight, blend structure with spontaneity, and nurture players from obscurity into Premier League standouts. That speaks to a coaching pedigree Spurs desperately need. Advertisement The club's desire for him appears unequivocal. 'The talks today are around his backroom staff and compensation,' Bridge added, reinforcing that the deal now hinges more on logistics than lingering doubts. With Spurs opting not to flirt with high-profile, short-term solutions, this points to a subtle shift in philosophy. The likes of José Mourinho and Antonio Conte never quite fit — their methods at odds with Tottenham's roots. Frank, by contrast, feels more harmonious. He develops, not demands. He builds, not borrows. Lessons from the Brentford Blueprint Brentford's rise under Frank has been methodical. They press with intent but never recklessly. They defend deep but never passively. And, crucially, they recruit with surgical precision. Spurs, who have historically vacillated between scattergun transfer windows and reactive planning, could benefit immensely from such a structured model. Photo: IMAGO There is also Frank's emotional intelligence — something often undervalued. His connection with players is visible, his press conferences candid and composed. In a high-pressure environment like Spurs, where scrutiny is magnified, that calmness could be gold dust. Why This Feels Different This doesn't feel like a quick fix. There's no bombast, no dramatic unveilings, no grand illusions. Just a club in search of direction and a manager who seems both willing and well-equipped to provide it. Advertisement Should negotiations, including discussions around compensation and staffing, conclude as positively as expected, Tottenham may finally have their man. And for once, it might actually be the right one. Our View – EPL Index Analysis From an Tottenham fan's perspective, this is a curious move. Thomas Frank is hardly the type to instil fear in rival fans — yet there's a quiet excitement that Spurs might finally be making a sensible decision. Frank is no vanity hire. He's smart, adaptable, and has taken a small club like Brentford and made them not only competitive but respected. He turned Ivan Toney into a household name, played tactically astute football even against top-six sides, and never seemed flustered. If he brings that same structure to Spurs, it might not be flashy, but it could be effective. Advertisement That said, there's a leap between managing Brentford and handling Tottenham's expectations. The spotlight is harsher, the margins thinner. And, unlike Brentford, Spurs fans don't just hope for stability — they demand progress, even silverware. Still, if Frank is given time — something Tottenham haven't always offered — this could mark a new, more grounded chapter for them.

Brighton's trailblazer Aisha Masaka: ‘It was my dream to play in Europe'
Brighton's trailblazer Aisha Masaka: ‘It was my dream to play in Europe'

Yahoo

time36 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Brighton's trailblazer Aisha Masaka: ‘It was my dream to play in Europe'

Aisha Masaka became the first Tanzanian footballer to play in the Women's Super League (WSL) when she signed for Brighton last summer, and she is a pioneer for her country in several ways. Masaka was the first to play in the Champions League, when she was with the Swedish Club BK Häcken, from 2022 to 2024, and recently launched the AKM Foundation, aimed at fighting poverty and promoting gender equality through sport. Masaka started playing street football as a teenager and dabbled in every other sport available to her including basketball and volleyball, much to her parents' dismay. 'We fought a lot because parents, especially in Africa, find it difficult to allow their girls to play football,' says the 21-year-old. 'They wanted me to go to school and not be involved in any sport at all.'. Advertisement Related: Kenza Dali: 'I will tell my story after the Euros. A lot of lies have been told' However, Masaka persisted and her parents could not hold her back when she was offered a place at the Alliance Academy in the city of Mwanza, on the shores of Lake Victoria. 'When the opportunity came, I told them I had to take it,' Masaka says. 'It was an academic school and a football academy, so that's why they agreed to let me to go there. They said If I was going to study and play then it was OK for them. That's where my career started.' The academy proved the perfect training ground for Masaka, who from there went to Yanga Princess, the female-affiliate of Tanzania's most successful club team, Young Africans. It was not long before she was on the national radar, and in 2020 was part of the Tanzanian team that participated as invited guests at the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (Cosafa) Under-17 Championship. Tanzania won, beating Zambia on penalties in the final, with Masaka earning the golden boot. She scored 10 goals and had done enough to be spotted by a scout from Europe and offered a deal in Sweden. It was a big move for a teenager but one Masaka had to take. 'It was my dream to play in Europe, so when that opportunity came I didn't hesitate to take it. I was very excited to go to play in Europe,' she says. 'The environment is different, everything is different and it was my first time living alone, so it was a big change. But I managed well.' Advertisement Masaka made her debut for Häcken in the second qualifying-round of the 2022-23 Champions League, against Paris Saint-Germain. Masaka scored five goals in 14 appearances for the club before moving to England. 'It was amazing because everyone at home saw that I was signed for a top league and they looked at it as a big achievement for me and for the country,' she says. Is Tanzania now filled with Brighton supporters? 'Definitely,' Masaka laughs. 'It's also important for other footballers because the players who play in the top league and the national team look at me and say that I play in a top league and with big players and they know they can do it too.' Masaka's experiences in the WSL have not quite gone to plan. She made her debut for Brighton as an 87th-minute substitute against Arsenal in November and almost immediately fell, severely injuring her shoulder in the process. She was sidelined for five months, which was hugely frustrating but Masaka used her time out wisely, conceptualising AKM. It was launched last month and well and truly kicked off last weekend with an all-stars charity match, a few days after Masaka received the Female Athlete of the Year award from Tanzania's National Sports Council. The prize was in recognition of Masaka's international record, namely scoring nine times in 16 appearances for Tanzania and being part of the squad that qualified for this summer's Women's Africa Cup of Nations for only the second time in the country's history. 'It was big pressure,' Masaka says. 'I don't think I have ever experienced that before, but it was amazing for me to qualify for the first time and for the second time as a country. When Tanzania qualified for the first time, I wasn't even playing football.' Advertisement Tanzania are in the same group as the defending champions, South Africa, Ghana and Mali and Masaka is hopeful they will acquit themselves. 'I have been a player in two big tournaments: the Champions League and the Women's Super League but the Women's Africa Cup of Nations is so special for me because there I represent the country,' she says. 'I believe we're going to perform well and my dream is to get to the quarter-finals.' Masaka also hopes Tanzania can qualify for Wafcon again, the process for which begins in March next year. She also has domestic ambitions. 'At Brighton I also hope we can fight and be top four and then to go to Champions League.' Get in touch If you have any questions or comments about any of our newsletters please email • This is an extract from our free weekly email, Moving the Goalposts. To get the full edition, visit this page and follow the instructions. Moving the Goalposts is back in to its twice-weekly format, delivered to your inboxes every Tuesday and Thursday.

Thomas Frank and the problem with daring to do too much at Tottenham
Thomas Frank and the problem with daring to do too much at Tottenham

Yahoo

time37 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Thomas Frank and the problem with daring to do too much at Tottenham

LET'S BE FRANK As the wait goes on for Thomas Frank to be announced as Tottenham Hotspur's new manager, Football Daily can't help but wonder what exactly is causing the delay. On Sunday it was reported that personal terms between the Dane and Daniel Levy had more or less been agreed, a compensatory fee in the region of £10m for Brentford was deemed to be adequate and all that was left to be decided was how many of Frank's coaching staff would be joining him. But while the Daily holds Keith Andrews – who has successfully muscled his way in to the pantheon of camera-hogging set-piece coaches with great hair in recent months – in the very highest of regard, we're going to go out on a limb and guess the former Ireland international's inclusion in any exit package almost certainly isn't a deal-breaker. Advertisement What might be troubling Frank, at this potentially crucial juncture in his career, is that Spurs, not content with sacking managers for not winning trophies, have just got rid of the bloke who secured their first one in 17 years. Given the comparatively snakebelly low expectations he shoulders in his current role, Brentford's manager could be forgiven for wanting to know exactly what will be expected of him in N17 and more pertinently, if the Spurs hierarchy actually have any clear idea. Given that winning Bigger Vase and qualifying for next season's Bigger Cup was not deemed good enough for Ange Postecoglou to keep his job, the Tottenham board have ostensibly made it clear that finishing higher up the Premier League than 17th is quite literally all that concerns them. 'To dare is to do,' as the club motto says, just so long as you don't dare to do anything so audacious as win a cup and seat at European football's top table. Among a small handful of top-flight managers who are almost universally liked and admired, Frank has long been renowned as a very straight talker. So much so that in any interview scenario between him and a prospective new employer, it is not difficult to imagine the Dane asking the more probing questions while his headhunter squirms in the face of a barrage of interrogatory projectiles. The second-longest serving manager in the Premier League behind Pep Guardiola, Frank ticks a number of the apparently requisite boxes for Spurs in so far as he has never won anything, hasn't been relegated, doesn't wang on about knack all the time and doesn't say 'mate' in a passive-aggressive way when the world is conspiring against him. And while his slow starts at Brondby and Brentford, where he won two out of his first 18 matches combined, may perturb a fanbase who are not exactly famous for their patience, he seems as good a choice as any for a club that increasingly seems to have little or no idea what it wants or who it needs to help them achieve it. LIVE ON BIG WEBSITE Join Rob Smyth at 7.45pm (BST) for red-hot friendly updates on England 0-0 Senegal. QUOTE OF THE DAY The level will increase immediately once we are playing against Portugal or Spain. We will rise to the occasion. This will come. It will bring out the very best in us' – Thomas Tuchel, there, wrapping up some words in a big white sheet with two eyeholes cut into it, and inviting them to come back and haunt him. FOOTBALL DAILY LETTERS Following last week's balanced piece in Football Daily on how Cristiano Ronaldo's ego continues to destroy Portugal's chances of success, readers will look forward to some acknowledgement of that side's Nations League victory. Perhaps focusing on how a 40-year-old Scotland captain, say, would be viewed if he had just led his country to a tournament final victory over England, scoring eight goals along the way including one in the final and the winner against Germany in the semi-final' – Brian Broderick. Re: transfer speculation concerning Granny Bellingham (yesterday's Football Daily – full email edition); I have it on good authority the next target in the family will be Lynda – I got it from a reliable sauce' – Andy Korman. Advertisement If you do have any, please send letters to Today's winner of our prizeless letter o' the day is … Rollover. Terms and conditions for our competitions, when we run them, can be viewed here. PEP TALK When it comes to Manchester City's succession planning, the question is always the same: how on earth do you replace Pep? Well, how about with another Pep. You see, the club have nipped in to appoint Pepijn Lijnders as Guardiola's No 2. It's a move that seemed highly unlikely a year ago, when Jürgen Klopp's wingman at Liverpool followed the German out of Anfield and took the top job at RB Salzburg. Unfortunately for the Dutchman, he bombed, and was sacked before Christmas. But if he now studies under Guardiola at City, having already absorbed the best of Kloppball, you'd imagine Ljinders could be one hell of a skilful coach in a few years' time. He's still only 42 and has plenty of time left to have a proper stab at a managerial position once again. We can already guess how Liverpool fans will feel about their one-time fist-pumping assistant bringing his intense methods to the Etihad. They'll be wishing him all the best won't they? And if it does all go wrong for Ljinders at City, he's always got his career as a writer to fall back on. RECOMMENDED LOOKING Here's David Squires on … the buildup to Gianni Infantino's big, beautiful Club World Cup in the land of Trump. NEWS, BITS AND BOBS Hey Jobe, don't be afraid, go to Dortmund, just like your brother. The £32m midfielder may even face his sibling at the Club World Cup. Advertisement Nottingham Forest have chucked their two pennorth into the Crystal Palace multi-club ownership wrangle, and have written to Uefa arguing that Palace are in breach of its MCO rules. Shy and retiring head-honcho Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Olympiakos, put his own Forest shares into a blind trust before the end of the season. And the club that would take Palace's place should they be hoyed out of Bigger Vase? Why, Nottingham Forest of course. Dean Huijsen has checked in at the Bernabéu and his days at Bournemouth already seem like a lifetime ago. 'I've wanted to be here since day one,' sobbed the defender. 'Since Madrid called, I've had no other team in mind.' Chelsea could be looking elsewhere for another new keeper after failing to agree a fee with Milan for Mike Maignan. Meanwhile, the Blues have thrown in a fresh £42m bid for Dortmund's Jamie Gittens. In more transfer deadline day (part one) news: Kieran Tierney has left Arsenal to rejoin Celtic on a five-year deal. 'To be here with the strip on again just feels amazing,' trilled the full-back. Advertisement Arsenal will play all their WSL home fixtures at the Emirates next season. 'Bringing every WSL match [here] is another step for more supporters to be part of this special journey,' cheered Gunners boss Renée Slegers. Though Wales were beaten 4-3 by Belgium in a thriller, Sorba Thomas knows who the real winners were. 'Even though we lost the game, I feel like we won it in our own heads,' he honked. It says here that Che Adams scored a hat-trick (subs, please check) as Scotland stormed the Rheinpark Stadium and dished out a 4-0 beatdown to Liechtenstein last night. And perhaps after reading yesterday's Football Daily, Claudio Ranieri has dilly-dinged and dilly-donged himself out of the running for the Italy job. MOVING THE GOALPOSTS There's an interview with Brighton's Tanzanian trailblazer Aisha Masaka in the latest edition of our sister email, which you can read right here. STILL WANT MORE? Chilled-out entertainer Bukayo Saka talks about feeling 'more balanced about football and life', writes Andy Hunter. Advertisement 'I'd be a bit gutted if you ended up winning a Club World Cup competition and not being there.' Will Unwin talks to Manchester City and Chelsea fans ignoring the scepticism and apathy to travel to the Club World Cup. Jonathan Wilson is very much in the 'no' camp though, and warns that it's another step towards a global super league. Leander Schaerlaeckens on why another dose of sports dad drama is the last thing the USMNT needs. And which big clubs are poised to swoop for Bournemouth's Semenyo and Zabarnyi? The Rumour Mill sifts through today's tittle-tattle. MEMORY LANE Admittedly, we're struggling for context, but here's Fabio Capello getting into the spirit of things at the Circus Medrano for the Epiphany in June 2003. BUBBLING UP, BUBBLING UP

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store