Latest news with #MarcosLlorente
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Juventus open talks with La Liga giants for 27-year-old defender
Atletico Madrid's busy summer continues. While much of the attention has been taken up by a series of widely praised signings, namely Johnny Cardoso, Alex Baena and Matteo Ruggeri, Los Colchoneros will also have one eye on the exit door, as they seek to balance their squad. One player who seems on the threshold is Nahuel Molina. The World Cup-winner arrived as a big-money signing from Udinese three years ago, with Atletico spending €20m to finally solve their right-back issues after the exit of Kieran Trippier. However as time as gone on, Marcos Llorente has increasingly been installed as the go-to right-back. Juventus talks with Atletico Madrid It has been established that both player and club are open to a move, with Atletico also needing to free up a non-European spot that Molina also occupies following the arrival of Thiago Almada. GdS (via Diario AS) explain that Juventus have opened talks with Atletico for Molina, who has two years left on his deal. Image via EFE / Mariscal They say Atletico are asking for €25-30m, but the Bianconeri will try to bring that figure down. That may even include offering players, or player loans, with Dusan Vlahovic, Weston McKennie or Nico Gonzalez. Moving parts for Atletico Madrid However Molina's exit could be slowed by Atletico if they do not feel the offer is sufficient. It appears they may miss out on Jesus Areso, who in theory would have competed with Llorente for the starting spot. It is not yet clear whether that could affect Atletico's willingness to sell. Alternative options for Molina Meanwhile Juventus are unlikely to be the only side interested, with Villarreal having already made it clear they want Molina on a loan deal. No doubt depending on what money they can make though, Atletico would prefer a sale, given he would have to be offered a new deal that would take him into his thirties after this summer in all likelihood.


India Today
27-06-2025
- Climate
- India Today
European teams vs USA weather: FIFA Club World Cup is facing the heat
When elite footballers start worrying more about the sun than their opponents, it's a sign something's not FIFA Club World Cup was supposed to be a smooth preview for next year's expanded World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Instead, it has turned into a heatwave reality check. As temperatures soar across host cities, players and coaches are struggling - not just to win, but to keep up with the cities like Cincinnati, Philadelphia, and Charlotte, mid-afternoon games have been played in scorching heat, often above 90F (32C). At Borussia Dortmund's group match against Ulsan Hyundai, the game kicked off at 3 p.m. under a blazing sun. Cooling breaks were allowed, but the weather made a bigger impact than any tactical of 16: Locked in. #FIFACWC FIFA Club World Cup (@FIFACWC) June 27, 2025 Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca didn't hold back after experiencing the Philadelphia heat."It's impossible to organise regular training sessions in the afternoons," he told Madrid midfielder Marcos Llorente agreed, saying the heat had affected how the team trains and prepares. Players have found it hard to recover quickly or maintain normal match sharpness. PSG's Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Fabian Ruiz cool down during a break in play (Reuters Photo) advertisementWhile European sides have struggled, South American clubs - more used to hot and humid climates - have had less trouble. All four Brazilian sides in the tournament - Flamengo, Palmeiras, Botafogo, and Fluminense - made it through to the second round without much fuss. Their advantage in such conditions has become problems add to the pressureIf the weather wasn't enough of a challenge, the playing surfaces have added another layer of difficulty. Several players and coaches have raised concerns about dry, uneven, and hard pitches at different venues - conditions that have only been made worse by the extreme grass, drying quickly under the sun, has become tough and patchy in places, making it harder to pass, control, or dribble with confidence. For teams that rely on a fast-paced, possession-heavy style, the pitches are slowing the game down and creating more Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique didn't mince words after his team's 2-0 win over Seattle Sounders."The pitch looked good but didn't play well," he Madrid star Jude Bellingham also shared his disappointment after playing in Charlotte."The pitches aren't great here, honestly," he said. "It holds up, the ball barely bounces, and it's tough on the knees as well. Hopefully it's something that someone will look at going into the World Cup next year. It's important that we protect the players as well as give the fans a spectacle."advertisementPSG full-back Achraf Hakimi explained how the dry conditions directly affect their playing style."I think the most negative aspect I have experienced so far - and it's something we can't do anything about - is the heat," Hakimi told The Latin Times."It is summer, and you can tell by how quickly the pitch dries up. With our playing style, where we like to have the ball and control the flow of the game, it slows us down when the pitch is dry."The Club World Cup was meant to prove that North America is ready for the big stage. Instead, it's raising serious questions. The kick-off times for the 2026 World Cup are still under wraps, but if FIFA doesn't make adjustments to climate and surface conditions, next year's tournament could be remembered for the wrong football has arrived. Now, it's time for the organisers to catch up - before the heat takes over the headlines again.- Ends


Hamilton Spectator
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
Players and fans at the Club World Cup are coping with high temperatures as a heat wave hits US
Substitutes who watch from the locker room, abandoned practice sessions and sweat-soaked jerseys. A heat wave hitting a wide swath of the country is taking a toll on players at the FIFA Club World Cup. The grueling conditions could also be a preview of what's to come next summer when the United States, Canada and Mexico host soccer's premier event, the 2026 World Cup. 'It's impossible, it's terribly hot. My toes were sore, even my toenails were hurting, I couldn't stop or start. In the end, it's incredible, but since it's the same for everyone, there's no excuse,' Atlético's Marcos Llorente said following a match against Paris Saint-Germain. A 'heat dome' of high pressure has settled in over the central and eastern United States, sending temperatures soaring into the 90s in Fahrenheit and above in many areas. That's rough on both Club World Cup players and fans, who can potentially experience dehydration and cramps, or more serious conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke . 'In Europe it's more of a dry heat and this is more of a humid heat. I think it's going to hit them twice as hard,' fan Tyler Fernando said before Bayern Munich's match against Benfica on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the temperature was 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 Celsius) at game time. Those at the Auckland City match against Boca Juniors in Nashville on Tuesday braved temperatures in the upper 90s. Male spectators went shirtless and fans sought sections where there was shade. Heat is of particular concern during big tournaments like the Club World Cup because the players don't have much time off to recover between games. And in the group stages, matches are usually staggered each day, meaning some teams play in the midday sun. Chelsea cut short a practice session in Philadelphia, where temperatures reached the 90s. 'I always try to avoid excuse, I always try to be honest. It's not about excuses, it's about reality. It's an excuse when it's not hot, and we say it's hot. That's an excuse. But if it's hot, it's hot. But we are here, and we're trying to do our best,' Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca said. During a match between Borussia Dortmund and the Mamelodi Sundowns, Dortmond posted on social media : 'Our subs watched the first half from inside the locker room to avoid the blazing sun at TQL Stadium — never seen that before, but in this heat, it absolutely makes sense.' 'We always think about how we can help the team, how we can minimize a negative influence. And it was just very, very hot. We had cooling sticks in order to cool the players down. We had them waiting in the dressing room with the air conditioning,' Dortmond coach Niko Kovac said through an interpreter. 'This was very important for all of us. It's not only about tactics, but it's also about minimizing the load, minimizing the stress. The stress is already high enough.' FIFA guidelines mandate breaks when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature — a composite of factors including temperature and humidity — reaches 89.6 degrees. The breaks usually occur around the 30th and 75th minutes. Cooling breaks were initially used at the 2008 Olympic final between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Nigeria at Beijing's National Stadium, where the on-field temperature reached 107 degrees. But at the time, such breaks were rare. They became more commonplace following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where a Brazilian labor court ordered hydration breaks when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reached 89.6 degrees. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue went to social media to urge Club World Cup fans to exercise caution in the heat before Inter Miami's match against Palmeiras on Monday night, and Chelsea posted 'heat mitigation' guidelines on its official website before the Blues' match against Esperance on Tuesday. It's not just high temperatures that can impact summer tournaments: Five Club World Cup matches have been delayed by thunderstorms. The climate is going to be an increasing issue for FIFA as global temperatures rise. Sixteen cities will host World Cup games next year. Five of the stadiums that will be used have roofs to provide some sun protection. At Mexico's venues, Mexico City and Guadalajara could be impacted by the summer's hurricane season, and in Monterrey, summer temperatures average in the 90s. After the the 2026 World Cup, the 2030 edition will be held in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. And the problem isn't just on the men's side: The 2027 Women's World Cup is set to be played in Brazil. Peter Crisp from Fossil Free Football said: 'Scheduling matches in no-shade stadiums in the middle of the day and promoting oil-dependent sponsors shows FIFA is dangerously out of touch with the threat extreme heat poses to its major summer tournaments' ___ Club World Cup:


San Francisco Chronicle
24-06-2025
- Climate
- San Francisco Chronicle
Players and fans at the Club World Cup are coping with high temperatures as a heat wave hits US
Substitutes who watch from the locker room, abandoned practice sessions and sweat-soaked jerseys. A heat wave hitting a wide swath of the country is taking a toll on players at the FIFA Club World Cup. The grueling conditions could also be a preview of what's to come next summer when the United States, Canada and Mexico host soccer's premier event, the 2026 World Cup. "It's impossible, it's terribly hot. My toes were sore, even my toenails were hurting, I couldn't stop or start. In the end, it's incredible, but since it's the same for everyone, there's no excuse," Atlético's Marcos Llorente said following a match against Paris Saint-Germain. A 'heat dome' of high pressure has settled in over the central and eastern United States, sending temperatures soaring into the 90s in Fahrenheit and above in many areas. That's rough on both Club World Cup players and fans, who can potentially experience dehydration and cramps, or more serious conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 'In Europe it's more of a dry heat and this is more of a humid heat. I think it's going to hit them twice as hard," fan Tyler Fernando said before Bayern Munich's match against Benfica on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the temperature was 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 Celsius) at game time. Those at the Auckland City match against Boca Juniors in Nashville on Tuesday braved temperatures in the upper 90s. Male spectators went shirtless and fans sought sections where there was shade. Heat is of particular concern during big tournaments like the Club World Cup because the players don't have much time off to recover between games. And in the group stages, matches are usually staggered each day, meaning some teams play in the midday sun. Chelsea cut short a practice session in Philadelphia, where temperatures reached the 90s. "I always try to avoid excuse, I always try to be honest. It's not about excuses, it's about reality. It's an excuse when it's not hot, and we say it's hot. That's an excuse. But if it's hot, it's hot. But we are here, and we're trying to do our best,' Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca said. During a match between Borussia Dortmund and the Mamelodi Sundowns, Dortmond posted on social media: 'Our subs watched the first half from inside the locker room to avoid the blazing sun at TQL Stadium — never seen that before, but in this heat, it absolutely makes sense.' 'We always think about how we can help the team, how we can minimize a negative influence. And it was just very, very hot. We had cooling sticks in order to cool the players down. We had them waiting in the dressing room with the air conditioning,' Dortmond coach Niko Kovac said through an interpreter. 'This was very important for all of us. It's not only about tactics, but it's also about minimizing the load, minimizing the stress. The stress is already high enough." FIFA guidelines mandate breaks when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature — a composite of factors including temperature and humidity — reaches 89.6 degrees. The breaks usually occur around the 30th and 75th minutes. Cooling breaks were initially used at the 2008 Olympic final between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Nigeria at Beijing's National Stadium, where the on-field temperature reached 107 degrees. But at the time, such breaks were rare. They became more commonplace following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where a Brazilian labor court ordered hydration breaks when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reached 89.6 degrees. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue went to social media to urge Club World Cup fans to exercise caution in the heat before Inter Miami's match against Palmeiras on Monday night, and Chelsea posted 'heat mitigation' guidelines on its official website before the Blues' match against Esperance on Tuesday. It's not just high temperatures that can impact summer tournaments: Five Club World Cup matches have been delayed by thunderstorms. The climate is going to be an increasing issue for FIFA as global temperatures rise. Sixteen cities will host World Cup games next year. Five of the stadiums that will be used have roofs to provide some sun protection. At Mexico's venues, Mexico City and Guadalajara could be impacted by the summer's hurricane season, and in Monterrey, summer temperatures average in the 90s. After the the 2026 World Cup, the 2030 edition will be held in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. And the problem isn't just on the men's side: The 2027 Women's World Cup is set to be played in Brazil. Peter Crisp from Fossil Free Football said: 'Scheduling matches in no-shade stadiums in the middle of the day and promoting oil-dependent sponsors shows FIFA is dangerously out of touch with the threat extreme heat poses to its major summer tournaments'


Fox Sports
24-06-2025
- Climate
- Fox Sports
Players and fans at the Club World Cup are coping with high temperatures as a heat wave hits US
Associated Press Substitutes who watch from the locker room, abandoned practice sessions and sweat-soaked jerseys. A heat wave hitting a wide swath of the country is taking a toll on players at the FIFA Club World Cup. The grueling conditions could also be a preview of what's to come next summer when the United States, Canada and Mexico host soccer's premier event, the 2026 World Cup. "It's impossible, it's terribly hot. My toes were sore, even my toenails were hurting, I couldn't stop or start. In the end, it's incredible, but since it's the same for everyone, there's no excuse," Atlético's Marcos Llorente said following a match against Paris Saint-Germain. A 'heat dome' of high pressure has settled in over the central and eastern United States, sending temperatures soaring into the 90s and above in many areas. That's rough on both Club World Cup players and fans, who can potentially experience dehydration and cramps, or more serious conditions like heat exhaustion and heat stroke. 'In Europe it's more of a dry heat and this is more of a humid heat. I think it's going to hit them twice as hard," fan Tyler Fernando said before Bayern Munich's match against Benfica on Tuesday in Charlotte, North Carolina, where the temperature was 97 degrees Fahrenheit (36 Celsius) at game time. Those at the Auckland City match against Boca Juniors in Nashville on Tuesday braved temperatures in the upper 90s. Male spectators went shirtless and fans sought sections where there was shade. Heat is of particular concern during big tournaments like the Club World Cup because the players don't have much time off to recover between games. And in the group stages, matches are usually staggered each day, meaning some teams play in the midday sun. Chelsea cut short a practice session in Philadelphia, where temperatures reached the 90s. "I always try to avoid excuse, I always try to be honest. It's not about excuses, it's about reality. It's an excuse when it's not hot, and we say it's hot. That's an excuse. But if it's hot, it's hot. But we are here, and we're trying to do our best,' Chelsea coach Enzo Maresca said. During a match between Borussia Dortmund and the Mamelodi Sundowns, Dortmond posted on social media: 'Our subs watched the first half from inside the locker room to avoid the blazing sun at TQL Stadium — never seen that before, but in this heat, it absolutely makes sense.' 'We always think about how we can help the team, how we can minimize a negative influence. And it was just very, very hot. We had cooling sticks in order to cool the players down. We had them waiting in the dressing room with the air conditioning,' Dortmond coach Niko Kovac said through an interpreter. 'This was very important for all of us. It's not only about tactics, but it's also about minimizing the load, minimizing the stress. The stress is already high enough." FIFA guidelines mandate breaks when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature — a composite of factors including temperature and humidity — reaches 89.6 degrees. The breaks usually occur around the 30th and 75th minutes. Cooling breaks were initially used at the 2008 Olympic final between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Nigeria at Beijing's National Stadium, where the on-field temperature reached 107 degrees. But at the time, such breaks were rare. They became more commonplace following the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where a Brazilian labor court ordered hydration breaks when the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature reached 89.6 degrees. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue went to social media to urge Club World Cup fans to exercise caution in the heat before Inter Miami's match against Palmeiras on Monday night, and Chelsea posted 'heat mitigation' guidelines on its official website before the Blues' match against Esperance on Tuesday. It's not just high temperatures that can impact summer tournaments: Five Club World Cup matches have been delayed by thunderstorms. The climate is going to be an increasing issue for FIFA as global temperatures rise. Sixteen cities will host World Cup games next year. Five of the stadiums that will be used have roofs to provide some sun protection. At Mexico's venues, Mexico City and Guadalajara could be impacted by the summer's hurricane season, and in Monterrey, summer temperatures average in the 90s. After the the 2026 World Cup, the 2030 edition will be held in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. And the problem isn't just on the men's side: The 2027 Women's World Cup is set to be played in Brazil. Peter Crisp from Fossil Free Football said: 'Scheduling matches in no-shade stadiums in the middle of the day and promoting oil-dependent sponsors shows FIFA is dangerously out of touch with the threat extreme heat poses to its major summer tournaments' ___ Club World Cup: recommended