Latest news with #RonnyDeila
BBC News
6 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Highs & lows of Celtic's previous meetings with Ajax
Nearly 10 years on from that disappointing November night in the Europa League, Celtic meet Ajax Rodgers' side will face the Dutch giants in their first game of the pre-season tournament, the Como Cup, in Italy on result this time round has much less significance than it did back in managed by Ronny Deila, Celtic needed a victory in Glasgow to keep their hopes of reaching the last 32 of the Europa League alive.A fresh-faced Callum McGregor gave the hosts the ideal start, firing them ahead after three minutes, but Arkadiusz Milik acrobatically equalised before by a rowdy support, Deila's side pushed for a winner, but Vaclav Cerny - who spent last season on loan at Rangers - netted late on to send Celtic tumbling out of with Ajax are typically fiery, and this one was no the reverse tie, Celtic were 2-1 up in Amsterdam but had to settle for a draw after conceding late on, with Emilio Izaguirre sent off. The two heavyweights met two years before, too, in the Champions League and though Ajax won on home soil, Celtic held on for an impressive and deserved victory in Glasgow despite Nir Bitton's red meetings in two years came after 12 years of wait. The pair faced off in the third round of Champions League qualifying in 2001 and Celtic prevailed thanks to an outstanding 3-1 first-leg win in Amsterdam courtesy of goals from Bobby Petta, Didier Agathe and Chris manager Co Adriaanse admitted his side were "outclassed" on their own patch and although the Dutch won 1-0 at Parkhead, Celtic advanced to the group stages for the first time.
CTV News
11-07-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Toronto FC hosts Atlanta in a battle of struggling teams looking to climb standings
Toronto FC head coach Robin Fraser stands on the touchline during MLS action against the New York Red Bulls, in Toronto, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young TORONTO — Toronto FC welcomes Atlanta United on Saturday in a battle of two teams still struggling to find a way back up the MLS standings. Atlanta (4-10-6) goes into weekend play in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, one place and one point above Toronto (4-11-5). Atlanta has just two wins in its last 14 league outings (2-8-4) since a March 29 win over New York City FC. Toronto, which has not played since a 3-1 loss at New York City FC on July 3, has won just one of its last six games (1-4-1). Despite Atlanta's recent poor form, Toronto coach Robin Fraser expects a tough challenge at BMO Field. 'With the amount of quality that they have, on any day they could be the best team in the league, given the players that they have,' he said after training in the heat Friday. 'Sometimes seasons go this way where, for whatever reason, good teams don't quite click. But I feel like it's just a matter of time before they click and I'm hoping it's not this weekend.' Atlanta coach Ronny Deila had some blunt words for his players this week. 'We need to work really hard,' said the Norwegian. 'It doesn't matter away or home (but) especially away you need to suffer and you need to enjoy suffering as a team.' Deila has said his team could use 'stronger leadership and a stronger hunger.' 'We have very nice players, staff and everything. But I think we can be more aggressive in wanting to achieve something … We haven't been good enough.' Asked what he wants from the upcoming transfer window, Deila replied 'players better than what we have.' Still, Atlanta leads the league in attendance, averaging 44,037 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Toronto ranks 19th at 19,959, just below the Vancouver Whitecaps (19,965). Atlanta, at 0-7-3 away from home, and the Los Angeles Galaxy (0-8-4) are the only teams in the league yet to win the road this season. Toronto has suffered at home (where it is 2-7-3) and away (2-4-2). Still Deila calls TFC a hard-working, organized team. Fraser also sees positives. 'I feel really encouraged about how hard and how cohesively the team is working … I feel like we are moving in a direction where if we can repeat that effort and cohesion that we will give ourselves a good chance,' he said. Atlanta ended a three-game losing streak with a scoreless draw Saturday at D.C. United, just its second clean sheet of the season. The Five Stripes added to their roster earlier this month, signing Albanian international defender Enea Mihaj on a free transfer but will have to wait until the secondary transfer window opens July 24 to use him. Saturday marks Toronto's second game since buying out Italian designated players Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi. 'There's no superstars that think they're bigger than the team and that is always dangerous to meet,' Deila said. 'The intensity will be totally different than it was in D.C.,' he added. Off the pitch, Atlanta has been dealing with news that president and chief executive officer Garth Lagerwey is taking an indefinite leave of absence after recently being diagnosed with cancer. The club says the prognosis of a complete recovery is encouraging. Veteran goalkeeper Brad Guzan, tied for the league lead with 75 saves, was hurt in a clash of heads during the D.C. United game but was cleared to finish the game. 'He's a tough guy,' said Deila. Atlanta is missing injured goalkeeper Josh Cohen, defenders Stian Gregersen and Derrick Williams and midfielder Jay Fortune. Toronto has long-term injury absentees in defenders Nicksoen Gomis, Henry Wingo and Zane Monlouis, with all three likely out for the season. Midfielder Markus Cimermancic is available for selection and captain Jonathan Osorio, while not ready for the weekend, is said to be 'really close' to a return. After Saturday's game, Toronto plays at San Diego, Nashville, Charlotte and Philadelphia with its next home game Aug. 16 against Columbus. While the overall series with Atlanta is even-steven at 5-5-6, Toronto holds a 4-1-2 edge at BMO Field. TFC won 2-0 when Atlanta last visited, in a battle of depleted teams March 23, 2024, when it was minus-1 C at kickoff, feeling like minus-8 with a biting wind. On the plus side, the snow that had fallen the day before had largely disappeared. Saturday's forecast calls for 26 C, feeling like 34 C for the evening kickoff. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 11, 2025 Neil Davidson, The Canadian Press
National Post
11-07-2025
- Sport
- National Post
Toronto FC hosts Atlanta in a battle of struggling teams looking to climb standings
Toronto FC welcomes Atlanta United on Saturday in a battle of two teams still struggling to find a way back up the MLS standings. Article content Atlanta (4-10-6) goes into weekend play in 13th place in the Eastern Conference, one place and one point above Toronto (4-11-5). Article content Article content Atlanta has just two wins in its last 14 league outings (2-8-4) since a March 29 win over New York City FC. Toronto, which has not played since a 3-1 loss at New York City FC on July 3, has won just one of its last six games (1-4-1). Article content Article content Despite Atlanta's recent poor form, Toronto coach Robin Fraser expects a tough challenge at BMO Field. Article content 'With the amount of quality that they have, on any day they could be the best team in the league, given the players that they have,' he said after training in the heat Friday. 'Sometimes seasons go this way where, for whatever reason, good teams don't quite click. But I feel like it's just a matter of time before they click and I'm hoping it's not this weekend.' Article content Atlanta coach Ronny Deila had some blunt words for his players this week. Article content 'We need to work really hard,' said the Norwegian. 'It doesn't matter away or home (but) especially away you need to suffer and you need to enjoy suffering as a team.' Article content Deila has said his team could use 'stronger leadership and a stronger hunger.' Article content 'We have very nice players, staff and everything. But I think we can be more aggressive in wanting to achieve something … We haven't been good enough.' Article content Asked what he wants from the upcoming transfer window, Deila replied 'players better than what we have.' Article content Still, Atlanta leads the league in attendance, averaging 44,037 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Toronto ranks 19th at 19,959, just below the Vancouver Whitecaps (19,965). Article content Article content Atlanta, at 0-7-3 away from home, and the Los Angeles Galaxy (0-8-4) are the only teams in the league yet to win the road this season. Article content Toronto has suffered at home (where it is 2-7-3) and away (2-4-2). Still Deila calls TFC a hard-working, organized team. Article content Fraser also sees positives. Article content 'I feel really encouraged about how hard and how cohesively the team is working … I feel like we are moving in a direction where if we can repeat that effort and cohesion that we will give ourselves a good chance,' he said. Article content Atlanta ended a three-game losing streak with a scoreless draw Saturday at D.C. United, just its second clean sheet of the season. Article content The Five Stripes added to their roster earlier this month, signing Albanian international defender Enea Mihaj on a free transfer but will have to wait until the secondary transfer window opens July 24 to use him.
CBS News
13-06-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
New York City FC scores 3 goals in 5 minutes to rout Atlanta United 4-0
Hannes Wolf scored two goals for the second straight game, Maxi Moralez had a goal and an assist, and New York City FC beat Atlanta United 4-0 on Thursday night. New York City (8-6-4) scored three goals in a five-minute span for the first time in club history. Mounsef Bakrar, moments after sending a breakaway shot off of Brad Guzan, had a one-touch finish at the penalty spot in the 55th for a 2-0 lead. Wolf slotted home a shot from a difficult angle in the 57th and he added a goal two minutes later on a one-on-one opportunity with Guzan, who got a touch on it before it rolled into the back of the net. Atlanta (4-9-5) has struggled on the road, registering just one draw and five defeats in its last five away matches. Atlanta was looking for its first road win over NYCFC in their regular-season history. Tomás Romero got his first MLS start in goal for NYCFC — with several first-team players away on international duty. Ronny Deila, who managed NYCFC from 2020 to '22, faced his former team on the road for the first time.
Associated Press
13-06-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
New York City FC scores 3 goals in 4 minutes to rout Atlanta United 4-0
NEW YORK (AP) — Hannes Wolf scored two goals for the second straight game, Maxi Moralez had a goal and an assist, and New York City FC beat Atlanta United 4-0 on Thursday night. Maxi Moralez scored from the corner of the 6-yard box in the 44th minute to give NYCFC a 1-0 lead. Then New York City (8-6-4) broke it open with three goals in four minutes. Mounsef Bakrar, moments after sending a breakaway shot off of Brad Guzan, had a one-touch finish at the penalty spot in the 55th for a 2-0 lead. Wolf slotted home a shot from a difficult angle in the 57th for a 3-0 lead. He added a goal on a one-on-one opportunity with Guzan, who got a touch on it before it rolled into the back of the net. Atlanta (4-9-5) has struggled on the road, registering just one draw and five defeats in its last five away matches. Atlanta was looking for its first road win over NYCFC in their regular-season history. Tomás Romero got his first MLS start in goal for NYCFC — with several first-team players away on international duty. Ronny Deila, who managed NYCFC from 2020 to '22, faced his former team on the road for the first time. ___ AP soccer:
