CONMEBOL Libertadores · Goalkeeper · #50 · Brazil · 23 yrs
Club are battling relegation from the second tier in a city under attack by Russian forces but are one upset away from the Europa LeagueA minivan with darkened windows pulls up at a gym in central Chernihiv and, once the doors have slid open, a stream of youths emerge into the daylight. Inside, Artem Rakitin sits everyone down on the rubber mat for one last pep talk. He has known most of the young men for several years, working with them here twice a week and in effect acting as a mentor. It is a kind of physical and mental training, he explains: self-discipline; resisting vices; preparing oneself, if the moment comes, to defend his country. “One of the main targets is for them not to become alcoholics, drug addicts or anything like that,” he says. “It’s to put their energy in the right places, and to support the right team.”The team they follow is FC Chernihiv and, on Wednesday evening, the second-tier side will face Dynamo Kyiv in a Ukrainian cup final no one could have predicted. FC Chernihiv are battling relegation but, to delirious scenes, won their semi-final against Metalist 1925 Kharkiv on penalties despite being reduced to 10 men in the fifth minute. They are one more upset from an improbable Europa League spot; it is a remarkable moment for a city, tucked in Ukraine’s north towards the Russian and Belarusian borders, that has suffered devastating losses since February 2022. Continue reading...
Raphinha has publicly shown his support for Fermin Lopez after the young Barcelona midfielder suffered a devastating injury that will rule him out of the upcoming FIFA World Cup.Barcelona officially c...
Vincenzo Italiano has spoken glowingly about Federico Bernardeschi’s resurgence at Bologna and backed young winger Rowe to reach the highest level, while insisting his side will fight until the end ...
Régis Le Bris’s tricky midfielder on the joy he finds in playmaking and the Black Cats’ push for European footballEnzo Le Fée has been chatting for 25 minutes when it becomes clear that his ability to extract rabbits from hats is not confined to the pitch.“I’m a magician,” says Sunderland’s French playmaker as the conversation drifts to life off the field. “Yes, really! I can do some magic, tricks with the cards, that sort of thing. I used to practise a lot when I was young so I got really good. I still sometimes like to do my tricks but I’m a bit shy about performing them now.” Continue reading...
Gary McAllister played for Liverpool 87 times, but you'd be forgiven for thinking it was at least triple that. McAllister is featured in BBC Scotland's Icons of Football series, taking an in-depth look at his storied career for club and country. When McAllister arrived at Anfield, aged 35, there were some eyebrows raised in and around the club, particularly by a young Steven Gerrard.
