標籤: confidence

Aston Villa Goal Gabriel Sara is clearly enjoying a confidence boost in what he himself describes as a “magical” year.

are villas linked to galatasaray player in recent weeks, and the Brazilian’s latest interview only reinforces why clubs continue to follow him so closely ahead of the summer window.

Sara finished the season with six goals and five assists in 39 matches, while being used in several different midfield roles throughout the campaign.

talking to globo esporte After helping Galatasaray win another Turkish League title, Sara reflected on the season that took him from Turkish football to the Brazil national team setup and potentially into Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.

The midfielder admitted that the dream of representing Brazil at the 2026 World Cup is now on his mind.

“Playing in the World Cup for Brazil is every player’s dream. It has been a childhood dream for me,” He said.

“I’ve worked very hard this season thinking about it, but I keep my feet on the ground. The manager will choose who he thinks is the best. If I’m there, I’ll give everything. If not, I’ll support Brazil as always.”

Sara also admitted that tension is rising over Ancelotti’s final team selection.

“There’s a lot of anticipation and even some anxiety knowing who will be on the team. I try to live one day at a time so I don’t get worried.”

Aston Villa goal talks about versatility

One part of the interview in particular may catch the attention of Aston Villa. Sara explained that he sees himself as a player who is capable of operating almost anywhere throughout the midfield and even out wide.

That flexibility has become increasingly valuable in modern squads, especially for clubs competing in multiple competitions.

“Whenever a manager has placed me in a different position, I’ve tried to learn as much as I can,” he explained.

“I’ve played as a right-back, left-back, holding midfielder, box-to-box midfielder, number 10 and winger. I think the only things missing are centre-back, striker and goalkeeper”He joked.

The comment explains why coaches trust him in various tactical systems. And this could be important for Unai Emery. A ‘Trade-off’ with Galatasaray involving Emiliano Buendia Reportedly a possibility, his versatility will be key to Argentina’s changing abilities.

The Brazilian then further expanded on the mentality behind that versatility.

“My focus has always been on helping the team. If I need to defend the whole game as a full-back, I will do that. If I need to attack all the time as a midfielder or winger, I will do that as well as I can.”

He then summarized it more directly.

“I think that versatility can also help in the national team because I can play at 6, 8, 10 and even as an out wide.”

“Magical” season and Champions League ambitions

Sara also described this campaign as the strongest campaign of her career so far. Former Norwich City player Appeared in Champions League matches, breaking into the Brazil setup and helping Galatasaray secure another title under great pressure.

According to the midfielder, those experiences pushed him to another level.

“I feel like I’m living the best moment of my career,” He said.

“The level of competition I have faced this season, from the Champions League to the Brazil national team, makes me feel like I am still at my peak.”

Sara specifically mentioned his experience with Brazil against France during the campaign, as well as facing clubs such as Liverpool and Atlético de Madrid.

There is also a growing feeling that the midfielder now looks far more mature and complete than the player English football previously saw at Norwich City.

The technical quality was already there in the Championship, but this season has added another layer of confidence and tactical maturity.

The emotional side of Galatasaray’s title win also clearly left an impression on him. “It was magical,” Sara said.

“For me, it was my second league title and my third trophy since arriving in Turkey. For the club, it was the fourth consecutive title, something that had not happened since 1997 to 2000.”

“The supporters were absolutely crazy with anticipation. We endured that pressure to some extent because we wanted to make people’s dream come true.”

What’s next for Sara?

Yet, when talking about personal milestones, the Aston Villa target made it clear he believes there are still more to come.

“I’m happy, but not satisfied. I still feel I have a lot left to give and a lot of room to improve.”He said.

“I not only dream of playing in the Champions League, but also dream of winning the Champions League. I dream of playing in the World Cup, but my dream is to win it.”

This means Aston Villa’s Champions League push could trigger Signature of a great player In summer.

Sheffield Wednesday supporters have had little time to celebrate in recent months.

Relegation to League One in February pushed the club into even greater uncertainty, as frustrations over ownership and the future continued to grow around Hillsborough.

That disappointing background perhaps explains why the name of Carlos Carvalhal still holds such affection in Sheffield.

portuguese newspaper game This week on Wednesday a major feature was devoted to the magic of Carvalhal, this period is now being revisited through a new book called “Carlos Had a Dream” written by journalist Dominic Howson.

The book revisits the 2015/16 season, when Wednesday reached the Championship play-off final against Hull City and came within one match of a Premier League return. The club has not played in the top flight since 1999/00.

For many supporters, that campaign still represents the emotional pinnacle of Sheffield Wednesday’s modern history.

from doubt to belief

Howson explained to the Portuguese press that Carvalhal arrived at Hillsborough surrounded by suspicion.

“With him, it was a real leap into the unknown,” He said. “He had coached big clubs but had never worked in England. Many supporters were disappointed by Stuart Gray’s dismissal as he had achieved success with a limited budget.”

The skepticism extended beyond the stands.

“Carvalhal walked into a skeptical dressing room, a skeptical fan group and a skeptical press box,” Howson recalled.

That mood didn’t last long. Before Carvalhal’s arrival Wednesday had finished 13th in the championship. Expectations were modest even after owner Dezfon Chansiri increased spending. Yet the Portuguese coach quickly changed the atmosphere around the club.

“The first season was innovative, fun, and full of potential,” Howson said. “Wednesday signed 15 players, but they almost immediately formed a cohesive and expressive team. The football was adventurous and entertaining.”

Players such as Barry Bannon, Ross Wallace, Fernando Forestieri and Gary Hooper became symbols of a side that suddenly felt alive again. Forestieri, in particular, emerged as one of the championship’s outstanding performers that season.

Wednesday lost only two home league matches during the 2015/16 campaign. Hillsborough came out strong again. The crowd kept increasing. Optimism spread throughout the city.

Howson believes that emotional impact explains why Carvalhal still holds a special place in the club’s modern story.

“He gave confidence, identity and happiness,” The author explained. “His personality resonated deeply. Supporters embraced him wholeheartedly and sang ‘Carlos Had a Dream’.”

The chant eventually became one of the defining symbols of that era.

“The atmosphere changed overnight”

The timing of the book release seems important. Wednesday are preparing for another painful rebuild after demotion, while the memories of the Carvalhal years grow stronger with time.

Particularly for younger supporters, the run to Wembley has become a reference point for them as to what the club can still be. Howson said this clearly.

“For the younger generation, the 2015/16 season defines the club,” He said. “This is no longer the era of Di Canio or Benito Carbone and the excitement of the 1990s. That trip to Wembley was monumental.”

The author returned repeatedly to the idea that Carvalhal changed not only the results, but also the feeling around Sheffield Wednesday.

“He spread joy and ended years of indifference,” Howson explained. “Supporters fill Hillsborough again to watch bold football.”

He then described how quickly the mood changed around the club.

“The atmosphere changed overnight. The excitement grew every week. There was freedom and individuality in the team, and character in the dressing room. We had a stadium that was again full of noise and hope. Confidence spread throughout the city.”

Howson also believes that Carvalhal’s personality played a major role in creating that relationship.

“He connected with people regardless of results. He had charisma and humor.” He said.

Despite the club’s difficult situation, that emotional attachment is still strong.

“Carvalhal was the club’s first foreign manager and became a unique chapter in our modern history,” Howson added. “With them, it was the last time Wednesday felt really close to the Premier League, with exciting football and a lively atmosphere.”

The author acknowledged that the current reality of Hillsborough makes those memories even heavier.

“It’s sad to see where we are,” He said. “But Carvalhal is still popular with supporters. He created memories that go far beyond disappointment.”

Roberto De Zerbi faces a big challenge tottenham. He only has a few days left in the job but the pressure is already mounting on the Italian following West Ham’s win.

The London club had to make great efforts to secure a manager.

Initially, De Zerbi was keen to make a decision about his next club during the summer. But Spurs continued to push and sealed the deal, with De Zerbi arriving just weeks after his exit from Marseille. was covered by sports witnessSpurs have to be really convincing.

The former Brighton manager is accustomed to fighting bottom of the table during his time at Sassuolo and even Benevento. Despite De Zerbi’s demanding approach to the game, it perhaps gives Tottenham some hope.

Now, support for the Italian has come from Paolo Di Canio, who has given his thoughts about the move.

There is no doubt that De Zerbi will be successful at Tottenham

spoke to paolo di canio Corriere Della Sera About many topics – including Italians in the Premier League.

In particular, the newspaper asked him about Roberto De Zerbi’s move to Tottenham. The Italian said the 46-year-old had to swim across the Channel to join and he is right to take the job.

“Of course he did, he should have swum across the Channel. After another stormy dismissal, he is moving to a club that spends €250m a year.

“He said that even if they slip in the championship, he will still stay. And I believe you! But he is demanding and good at creating team spirit. He can do well.”

Spurs will have an identity

It is well known that Roberto De Zerbi brings with him a lot of stress. His demanding style can lead to private and public battles, as he is accustomed to calling out the club leadership.

Also, he will give an identity to Tottenham. The club has been going through an identity crisis since the departure of Mauricio Pochettino and De Zerbi could fix that. This will also give results relatively quickly, even if not immediately.

The current team may not be fully capable of playing football his style. But working on the players now will make them better next season. Even if they get demoted, it would make a lot of sense for De Zerbi to stick around as they would be making a sacrifice in the hope of achieving something big.

Anyway, this is an optimistic look.

The Boston Celtics were expected to have a turnaround season, with Jayson Tatum out due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered in May 2025. However, the script has been flipped in more ways than one, with the Celtics currently sitting in second place in the East with a 47-24 record and Jayson Tatum slowly getting back to his best once again.

So much so that Tracy McGrady branded Boston as the only team in the East he believes can win a championship during his appearance on the Cousins ​​Podcast.

“Do we really think about Cleveland and New York? I think Boston is coming out of the East. I think they can win the championship. I don’t think there’s any other team out of the East, no matter who they play coming out of the East, I think the West is going to win. The only team I have confidence in to win is the Boston Celtics,” he said.

“The only team I have confidence in winning a championship in the East is the Boston Celtics.”

“I don’t think any other team, no matter who they play, if they come from the East, I think the West will win.”

👀🍀 @Tmac_213 pic.twitter.com/pVWzFifBCR

– Cousin of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady (@VinceAndTmac) 25 March 2026

Of course, in addition to the talent they have despite the fire sale before the campaign, the Celtics also benefit from Joe Mazzulla’s system.

“Being proven, you have not one but two guys that can lead the team. MVP candidates, up front, and you have a system that understands who they are, whether it’s the regular season, preseason, or postseason. So they don’t have to change, how they’re playing now is the way they’re going to play, nothing is going to change,” McGrady concluded.

Tracy McGrady praises the Celtics

He talked about Derrick White and praised the 31-year-old player’s versatility. McGrady claimed that White was able to defend the opponent’s best player, rebound at a high level, and score 20 points and assists to win any game for Boston.

“He can give you exactly what you need to win,” McGrady said.

In the eight games since his return, Tatum has averaged 19.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, while shooting nearly 47% from the field. And while there is room for improvement, McGrady believes there won’t be room for improvement until the playoffs arrive.

“Tatum is coming back, looks really good. He’s playing aggressive basketball. By the time he gets to the playoffs, I think we’ll be (saying)…Boy, he looks like his old self,” he concluded.

While Boston has the experience, personnel and system, McGrady may have gone too far in giving the other top teams in the East a discount. For example, the Detroit Pistons have a 52-19 record this season, while the Cavaliers add James Harden to a team that finished last campaign 64-18. Additionally, the Knicks also have a lot of talent, allowing many teams to emerge from the East, at least on paper.

The Dallas Mavericks lost 137-131 in overtime to the Golden State Warriors on Monday, handing them their fourth consecutive loss on the stretch campaign.

The Mavericks, who lost Daniel Gafford to a shoulder injury, suffered their 12th consecutive loss at the American Airlines Center, the team’s longest winning streak at the said venue.

Dallas had a chance to win in regulation, but Najee Marshall missed an open three-pointer with 2.5 seconds remaining. The game reached 126-126.

Marshall received a perfect pass from Cooper Flagg, drawing multiple defenders on his way to the paint. Flagg was seen yelling, “Take me home!” Like Marshall let it fly. Unfortunately, this closed down Nami.

Cooper Flagg gave the game winning shot to Nazi Marshall and he was confident that he would make the shot

“Take me home”

(h/t @MavsMuse) pic.twitter.com/B1JwYJFV6f

– FullCourtPass (@FullCourtPass) 24 March 2026

The moment quickly went viral, drawing various reactions from fans on X.

@king1sed said, “He went up for the high five even after the (flag) miss. Great leadership.”

@Raise_The_Flagg said, “He read the Nazi correctly.”

@jjfr0mgoodtimes posted, “LMFAO, he must have thought he was Clay (Thompson) because there’s no way you can trust a Nazi marshal that much going in.”

“Nazi said, ‘But not going home yet,'” joked @Oz_Chima.

@heyitsrosexx wrote, “Imagine being a veteran and having a 19-year-old ask you to take the winning shot. The leadership Flagg is showing makes me think he’s the real missing piece for this roster.”

@ainternetfrog said, “I don’t know why he didn’t take a (flag) shot. He had clean mid-range off the dribble.”

Flagg led the Mavericks with 32 points, four rebounds, nine assists and two steals, while Marshall had 16 points, six rebounds and seven assists. However, they combined for 15 of the team’s 21 turnovers.

Marshall is averaging a career-high 51.9% from the field this season, but only 30.2% from long range.

Still, the confidence that Flagg has shown in Marshall is a step in the right direction. Confidence-building always pays off.

Amid All-Star Stephen Curry’s recovery from a right knee injury, Golden State Warriors guard Brandin Podziemski has taken on an increased role. As head coach Steve Kerr said after the three-game losing streak, the newfound opportunity has given Podziemski a boost in confidence. While Kerr’s reality check regarding the Warriors’ playoff approach was considered challenging, Kerr cannot ignore how beneficial it has been to Brandin.

Without Curry, Podziemski, in only his third season, will be one of the Warriors players Kerr will rely on, as these regular season reps will only make him better, Kerr said, according to Danny Ammerman of the San Francisco Standard.

“It’s a great experience for Brandin,” Kerr said Saturday in Atlanta. “I mean, 20 games without Steph.”

As for Podziemski, he’s learned a very important lesson amid Curry’s absence.

“[That] I can do it,” Podziemski said.

Brandin Podziemski struggled in the Warriors’ 126-110 loss to the Atlanta Hawks. He finished with five points and one assist on 2-for-6 shooting. However, he has been playing consistently well throughout March for the Warriors, averaging 16.2 points on 42.8% shooting, including 37.% from deep, 5.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.0 steals over the last 11 games.

Steve Kerr’s blunt opinion on Warriors’ ‘tough times’

Head coach Steve Kerr didn’t hold back about the Warriors struggling toward the finish line of the 2025-26 regular season without Stephen Curry. Kerr says Warriors have suffered eight defeats in nine tries this is the hardest part According to Warriors reporter Joseph Dykes, he talked about being an NBA coach for a team struggling with injuries.

“This is the hardest thing to go through,” Kerr said. “Losing and getting destroyed by injuries. And feeling like you’re pushing, you’re trying, you’re competing, but things aren’t going your way. It’s definitely a tough, tough time for everybody. It’s human nature to get down, hang your head.”

“Certainly, it’s a tough, tough time, for everybody, it’s human nature to, you know, kind of keep your head down.”

Steve Kerr after the Warriors’ loss to the Hawks. pic.twitter.com/nqpCMusnkI

-Joseph Dycus (@joseph_dycus) 22 March 2026

The Warriors, 33-38, have dropped to 10th, 1.5 games behind the Blazers for ninth in the Western Conference standings.

The Los Angeles Lakers continued their late-season surge on Thursday night, extending their winning streak to eight games with a 134-126 victory over the Miami Heat, while ESPN analyst Brian Windhorst offered a reassuring assessment of LeBron James’ mentality.

Speaking on Friday’s broadcast of First Take, Windhorst pointed to what he described as a key indicator behind the Lakers’ recent success.

“The best thing I can say about the Lakers right now is… LeBron believes. It’s a subtle thing but if you watch LeBron over the decades, there are times when you get to a point in the season where you know he doesn’t believe in his team. And you can’t see it in the stats, you know it when you see it. Well, I know it when I see it. LeBron believes in this team.”

The Lakers’ performance in Miami reflected that confidence, as they improved to 45–25 on the season – the first time they reached 20 games above .500 since the 2019–20 campaign, when they won the NBA championship.

James delivered a triple-double in the win with 19 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in 38 minutes. Playing on the second night of a back-to-back after the team arrived in Miami around 5 p.m. ET, he shot 8-for-12 from the field and 3-for-5 from the free-throw line.

“I know it when I see it. LeBron believes in this team.” 👀👀👀

– @WindhorstESPN

(via @FirstTech /h/t @terrible announcement )

pic.twitter.com/wXIXLwaGVn

– NBCCentral (@TheDunkCentral) 20 March 2026

Brian Windhorst highlights LeBron James’ belief as Lakers’ surge continues

This outing follows another efficient performance from James last night, when he scored 30 points on 13-for-14 shooting in a win over the Houston Rockets.

While James planned the offense, Luka Doncic provided the scoring punch. The star guard recorded a career-high as a Laker with 60 points, adding seven rebounds, five steals and three assists. Doncic shot 18 of 30 from the field, 9 of 17 from three-point range and 15 of 17 from the free-throw line in 38 minutes, overwhelming Miami’s defense throughout the contest.

The Lakers’ recent expansion has been defined by offensive efficiency and balance, with several players contributing at a high level as the team climbs the Western Conference standings. The combination of James’ playmaking and Doncic’s scoring has put consistent pressure on opposing defenses during the winning streak.

Los Angeles will look to build on its momentum Saturday night when it travels to face the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center. The Magic entered the matchup with a 38–31 record as both teams continued to vie for the postseason.

As the regular season enters its final stretch, the Lakers’ current form has strengthened Windhorst’s evaluation, as the team continues to build momentum and confidence behind its experienced leader.

Some NBA history was made last night when Bam Adebayo exploded for 83 points. As he continues to recover from injury, the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton explained how Adebayo’s 83 point-game helped him believe the fact that Wilt Chamberlain had 100 points in a game.

“Wilt Chamberlain 100… I don’t know if I believed it or not… but after what I saw yesterday… Wilt had 100”

Tyrese Haliburton scores 83 points after Bam Adebayo

(via @hali/twitch)

pic.twitter.com/11FCQAFdQk

– ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) 12 March 2026

Haliburton was considering the belief that Chamberlain did not reach 100 points. But after seeing Adebayo, he believed it. Adebayo’s 83 points generated some controversy, particularly regarding how he did it. But it was still an amazing feat that was almost unheard of in 2026. Most of the NBA watched Adebayo and contemplated the game, and Haliburton had time to observe as he continued to recover.

Haliburton’s discomfort worsened during Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Since then, he has been forced to watch the rest of the NBA while he recovers. The Pacers are currently 15-50, which is the worst record in the NBA. Assuming Haliburton is able to return next season, he could have a top draft pick in the future. Meanwhile, the Miami Heat are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference while attempting to make some noise.

Adebayo played the best game of his career in a blowout win over the Washington Wizards. As everyone talks about this career game, it also put Adebayo’s name in the history books. He is currently third on the Heat in scoring. That’s what makes this monster game so amazing. As Adebayo comes out on top in this game, he will look to continue leading the Heat to victory as they host the Milwaukee Bucks in their next matchup.

LOS ANGELES – Nearly a month after the NBA issued a $100,000 fine to the Indiana Pacers for resting key players in a regular season game, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle offered a vote of confidence on how the NBA will address tanking.

“I have full confidence in Adam Silver,” Carlisle said of the NBA commissioner before Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. “This guy has the secret to being the ultimate leader. He’s really like that. There are really smart people around him. They consider everything very carefully. They never react. They always think things through.”

Carlisle’s positive feelings about the NBA hardly match the way he expressed his feelings about the league last month.

The NBA fined the Pacers on February 3 after they fouled Pascal Siakam, Benedict Mathurin and Aaron Nesmith in a double-digit loss to the Utah Jazz. The Pacers acknowledged they sat Siakam and Mathurin for rest, but they listed Nesmith with a left hand strain. Despite this, the NBA concluded that the Pacers violated the league’s “player participation policy” and all three players could play at least limited minutes. Carlisle also told 107.5 The Fan that the NBA refused to talk to the Pacers’ doctors about Nesmith’s injury. The NBA later invoked Carlisle’s memory. “Wrong.”

Carlisle doesn’t have a direct impact on how the NBA addresses tanking. Last year, Carlisle resigned as president of the National Basketball Coaches Association in favor of Detroit Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff. Carlisle also no longer serves on the NBA’s Competition Committee, which proposes rule changes on an annual basis. But with the Pacers (15–47) having the Eastern Conference’s worst record, Carlisle unsurprisingly raised questions about tanking.

“My opinion doesn’t matter. There will be changes based on what I understand from Adam,” Carlisle said. “And they will be carefully considered.”

It remains to be seen how the NBA will consider the policies. The league office has held preliminary conference calls with the respective front offices of the 30 teams. During NBA All-Star weekend, Silver said he would consider punishing teams with the loss of draft picks. When the NBA has held meetings in the past about lottery reform, no one has proposed eliminating the draft. But that idea has not been completely rejected.

But when Carlisle served on the NBA’s competition committee under both former NBA commissioner David Stern and Silver, Carlisle said, “at that particular time, it was determined that a lottery was the best way to move forward.” Since its inception in 1985, the draft lottery has featured lottery odds based on the severity of a team’s record. While that setup doesn’t guarantee a struggling team the top pick, losing teams have a better chance of landing the top draft pick.

The Pacers are in trouble after All-Star guard Tyrese Haliburton suffered a torn right Achilles tendon in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder (49-15) last year. The Utah Jazz have focused on developing players and maximizing lottery odds after trading All-Stars Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert in separate deals during the 2022 offseason. The NBA also fined the Jazz $500,000 for fouling current veterans Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen for the entire fourth quarter against the Orlando Magic (February 7) and Miami Heat (February 9). The Washington Wizards and Brooklyn Nets have also suffered losing records, but the NBA has not penalized them for the way they managed their rosters.

Despite this, Carlisle strongly disputed that the current system indirectly harms coaches who are managing rosters built to lose.

“It doesn’t hurt Mark Daigneault,” Carlisle said of the former Oklahoma City Thunder coach.

That’s because the Thunder won last year’s NBA title partly by rebuilding through the draft. After trading Paul George to the Clippers for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the 2019 offseason, the Thunder have missed the NBA playoffs to finish bottom of the Western Conference for three consecutive seasons (14th in 2021, 14th in 2021).^th 10 in 2022^th In 2023]. During that time, the Thunder have made key first-round draft picks, most notably in 2022. [Chet Holmgren, Jalen Williams]. The Detroit Pistons (45-16) ended a six-year playoff drought last season after securing top talent through the draft in 2021 (Cade Cunningham) and 2023 (Aussie Thompson).

“You have the two best teams in the league – one in the East and one in the West who have built their teams almost the same way,” Carlisle said. “I think Daigneault is a great example. He was a G League coach. But he built a relationship in that organization and a partnership. If he built those relationships and you become a real partner, the wins and losses, that’s just my opinion, the win and lose element of it, won’t be that kind of a factor.”

What factors will be included in the NBA’s plans to reform the lottery?

“All of those things will be carefully considered,” Carlisle said. “My job right now is not to think about what changes need to be made. My job is to manage the health of our team, the play of our team and the competitive spirit of our team.”

This was a big topic of conversation. I was on the competition committee at the end of David Stern’s tenure as commissioner and Adam wanted to have me at the beginning of his tenure. It was a hearty topic of conversation. At that particular time through all of this, it was determined that the lottery was the best way to move forward.

Mark Medina is an NBA contributor for SportsNut. follow him x, blue sky, Instagram, Facebook And threads.

NBA Insider for Sportsknot. Former NBA writer for NBA.com and USA TODAY, Warriors writer for The Mercury News, Lakers… More about Mark Medina

Last weekend, sports witness Covered the latest on Juventus’ continued interest in Tottenham’s Randal Kolo Muani.

The Old Lady tried to sign the striker in January. Any deal at that point always seemed complicated and never came close to completion. That hasn’t stopped Juve from potentially keeping an eye on bringing the Frenchman back to Turin.

The striker has had his share of problems at Tottenham but has a goal under his belt under Igor Tudor. He impressed under the Croatian at Juve last season and this could prove vital for the rest of the current campaign.

Meanwhile, Juve are hopeful of re-signing him from Paris Saint-Germain.

Deal worth less than €50m

tuttosport Report that even though Juve want to keep Dusan Vlahovic, they would like another striker. The Tottenham player is seen as the perfect replacement, with the belief that he can work well with the Serbian.

Relocation is also considered economically attractive. This is because they feel Kolo Muani would cost just under €50m and is therefore affordable.

Tuttosport – a Turin newspaper – reports that ‘everything has been sorted’ over a summer deal with PSG. This will be crucial and Kolo Muani’s experience from last season is also weighing heavily in their favour.

Lois Openda, signed last summer, is expected to depart. This will give the current Tottenham player a chance to play regularly.

possibility of over-optimism

Tuttosport is no stranger to being over-optimistic about Juve. In fact, he was confident that Kolo Muani would join in the summer and then again in January.

This is another example of that. Juve and PSG were involved in a heated exchange of words last summer after the Italian side failed to sign the French player. The blame game continued for weeks, which is likely to affect relations between the clubs.

Given how PSG owner Nasser Al-Khelaifi operates, the rift could very well continue. Juventus may believe everything is in its place, but it is PSG who takes the decisions.

Tottenham Hotspur have been described as Atletico Madrid’s “favourite” opponents in the Champions League draw in Spain – but there is a clear caveat attached.

in a column for AS, journalist FJ Diaz Atlético claim that “the draw has not made their performance worse. Quite the contrary”. However, he immediately adds context that Spurs supporters will find interesting.

According to Diaz, “supporters and players preferred Tottenham over Liverpool in this round of 16 tie”. The logic is simple. Liverpool are too familiar rivals for Atlético, while Spurs were seen as the more attractive option.

Still, Spanish journalists are uneasy about the narrative being built around the tie.

He writes: “Atletico can eliminate Tottenham, because they have the squad and the level to do it.” Yet he follows it up with a clear warning: “I don’t like, and certainly Simeone doesn’t like, that Atletico are being labeled as favourites.”

In fact, Díaz reminds readers that “whenever Atlético has been considered the favourite, things have not gone entirely well.”

This caution explains a lot about how Tottenham are viewed in Madrid.

Spurs are still seen as Premier League giants

Despite Tottenham’s domestic struggles, Diaz insisted that they “remain one of the big clubs in the Premier League, even if they are at the bottom of the table.”

So while Atlético may feel privately satisfied, the Spanish press are careful not to write off Igor Tudor’s side.

Conspiracy has also been added regarding two Tottenham players.

Conor Gallagher, who previously played for Atletico, will face his former club. Diaz notes that Gallagher was not successful in Madrid, but “left a good memory at the Metropolitano.” That subplot ensures that the tie-in has an emotional edge.

Meanwhile, Cristian Romero was Atletico’s big objective in the last summer transfer window to strengthen the defence. According to the excerpt, Romero “did everything to come through,” but This move ultimately failed.

Romero is ready to step out in the summer and Atleti remains one of the contenders. He will now go up against Diego Simeone, who reportedly fought hard to sign him.

what happens next

The Spanish tale is unfolding for Tottenham. On the surface, Atletico are happy. Below, there is the concern of carrying favorite tags. AS have made it clear that overconfidence has hurt Simeone’s side before.

Spurs could be draw favorites. However, in Spain there is no sense that this would be straightforward.

Whatever happens, Madrid’s warning shows Atlético know exactly who they are up against.

two weeks ago, sports witness Calciomercato’s claims about Aston Villa’s desire to sign Douglas Luiz permanently covered.

This gave Juventus hope of signing Ian Matson in a swap deal. He saw the Dutchman defender as a replacement for the struggling Andrea Cambiaso.

It was believed that with both players being equally valued, the Villans were open to a swap. The main reason for this was his satisfaction with the Brazilian people.

today’s tuttosport If you look closely, there is excitement about the player in Turin.

Douglas Luiz is giving hope to Juventus

The newspaper wrote how the midfielder has won two man of the match awards in his last five matches for Aston Villa. He has started all those matches and now, there is a big possibility of signing this player permanently.

This is a positive thing for Juve, who have not had a particularly pleasant last few days. They have lost to Inter Milan, Como and Galatasaray, which has spread negativity around the club. There are the usual concerns over finances but the transfer of Douglas Luiz will go a long way to address them.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has been credited with getting the most out of the midfielder.

€28.5m package from Aston Villa

The report clarifies the terms of the deal.

Aston Villa have an option to buy the 27-year-old for €25m and they are more than confident about exercising it. Juve are also hoping that Douglas Luiz will perform well next season as he will earn a €3.5m bonus.

All of this would be a huge boost to the club’s ‘bloated coffers’, especially as the Brazilian never made an impression in Turin.

Now, he has also put his injury troubles behind him, and his fitness will likely play a key role in whether Aston Villa actually exercise his option.