All posts by h716a5.icu

It's gotten ugly in the Six as the Italy international forward has had enough with Toronto FC's style of play

MLS is, and has been, a league of stars. It's just the way that things are designed due to the league's salary cap. On most teams, there will be a few players in a different tax bracket than their team-mates, and getting those players firing is often the difference between success and failure in this league.

Toronto FC are very much a team built on stars. They're the league's highest spenders, an ambitious club that has always created shockwaves by signing big names. Right now, though, they're the Eastern Conference bottom-feeders and one of their big-money stars let loose after another damning loss this weekend.

It was a tough week for Toronto FC, but a good one for a potential Supporters' Shield favorite in FC Cincinnati. Luciano Acosta and co. continue to cook, making statement after statement by squeaking out close wins.

Those two teams, Cincy and TFC, are clear winners and losers, respectively. Here's a look at the other big takeaways from a chaotic MLS weekend:

WINNER: FC Cincinnati

A bit of a rehash from our midweek picks but, after a Hell is Real derby win over the Columbus Crew, Cincy deserve it.

Last season, FC Cincinnati was good at turning losses into draws, and this season they're turning draws into wins. It happened again this weekend against the Crew when Roman Celentano made a heroic save in second-half stoppage time to seal the 3-2 win.

Luciano Acosta, perhaps the MVP frontrunner, was at his best in this one, scoring two of the goals. Acosta is a player that can win you games on his own, and there will be plenty of times he does just that this season.

That win is their eighth in eight at home, as the club has turned their home field into a legitimate fortress. That's always a good start for a Supporters' Shield winner, and Cincy certainly has all the makings of that based on what we've seen.

Superstar attackers, good goalkeeping and, perhaps soon, a shiny DP striker after the big-money sale of Brenner. That last part is what's most interesting: this team can still get better. It feels like they will, too, as they somehow haven't looked as good as they did for stretches last season, despite their stellar record so far.

Up next are a series of road games that will serve as a real test of their credentials. Survive that and the trophy talk can really begin.

AdvertisementGettyLOSER: Bob Bradley and Toronto FC

There are plenty of things to say about Toronto FC's disaster of a season, but star winger Federico Bernardeschi is the one that has said it best, so we'll let him take the lead here.

“Sincerely, this team, this city, the fans, everybody don't deserve this, and I think maybe we need to change something," the Italian said. "We need to [have] a little bit more tactics. We need an idea of how we play because this is the real problem for me. It's impossible to play like this when we play without [an] idea. This is the big problem for me.”

He continued: "We lose every game. We tie, we lose, we tie, we lose. Sometimes we win. But I can't believe this sincerely. This is no good for the young players. They need to get better, no? And grow up with an idea of football, and the players with personality, they need to help, help us to understand and follow the idea of football. But we need the idea of football. This is the real situation.”

Yikes! You never want to hear one of your star player questioning just about everything the club is doing, do you? Well, that's exactly what Bernardeschi did, taking aim after TFC's 1-0 loss to Austin FC.

It's an unflattering description of life under Bob Bradley, to say the least. Bradley is an American soccer legend, no doubt, but there's also no doubt about the fact that TFC have been very, very bad this season. They're last in the Eastern Conference, struggling with injuries, form and, apparently tactics. It's all a big mess.

Is the clock ticking on Bradley? It's hard to be sure. He'll likely be given a chance to turn things around. However, as Bernardeschi said, something has to change. We'll have to wait and see what that is.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Bradley Carnell

When just about everything imaginable goes to plan, you have to give credit to the one who made the plan. Bradley Carnell and St. Louis City SC beat the snot out of Sporting KC, kickstarting their new rivalry with a 4-0 win at CITYPARK. It was a one-sided beatdown, and a statement from MLS' newest team.

"Happy that the boys responded in a certain way that they took this almost personal," said Carnell. "They took it personal; what it means to St Louis and what it means to every individual who works for this club."

There are plenty that will earn praise from this one, including goalscorers Indiana Vassilev, Nicholas Gioacchini and Eduard Lowen, but we're using this section to give Carnell his flowers. The South African coach hasn't been perfect, but he's been pretty close to it when it comes to establishing an identity for this club.

He's tweaked his tactics, for sure, in recent weeks after some rough results, but his best work has been in getting players to buy into an overall idea of what this team is and could be. Just watch his postgame speech to get an idea of what Carnell has built so quickly:

After floundering a bit after their fantastic start, St. Louis find themselves third in the West. If Carnell can keep them there, it'll be one of the better expansion performances we've seen.

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Getty ImagesLOSER: LA Galaxy

The Galaxy simply can't stay out of these columns, can they? Another week, another capitulation and, somehow, this may have been the worst of them all. A close game, a catastrophic Jonathan Bond error and then, 10 minutes later, a 3-0 D.C. United lead from nothing. It was a totally preventable disaster, much like this LA Galaxy season.

This game, in many ways, was a summary of this season, one that started off the rails and has somehow gotten worse by the week. Even when they look good, which they did for large stretches of this one, they find a way to throw it all away in the most ridiculous way.

With no signings incoming due to their summer transfer ban, there isn't much to look forward to for the Galaxy, which is a sad state for a team that is arguably MLS' biggest.

A quick shoutout to D.C. United, though, as Wayne Rooney has them playing some pretty good soccer. They've gotten 14 points from their last seven, beating the teams they're supposed to beat along the way. And, unfortunately for the Galaxy, right now, they're a team that pretty much everyone else in the league will see as a team they're supposed to beat.

Fred was superb once again while his compatriot came off the bench to fire his team beyond the Catalan giants.

It was a Jekyll and Hyde performance from Manchester United as they beat Barcelona 2-1 (4-3 on aggregate) to progress to the last 16 of the Europa League.

Antony's angelic finish completed the massive turnaround from the Red Devils, who were sloppy and turgid in the first half, but smooth and effective in the second to secure a deserved win.

Robert Lewandowski gave Barca the lead in the first half after Bruno Fernandes' recklessness conceded a penalty, but it was the Portugal star who helped set up the fantastic Fred for the equaliser before playing a role in the winner.

GOAL rates Manchester United's players from Old Trafford…

GettyGoalkeeper & Defence

David de Gea (6/10):

Got a hand to Lewandowski's penalty but it was not enough to keep the striker out. Gave Barca a golden opportunity with a horrible pass to nobody in particular. Pulled off a strong save on a Kounde header that proved vital.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10):

Some wayward passes and crosses in the first half but he grew into the game with some decent attacking moves.

Raphael Varane (7/10):

A decent performance from the centre-back, who looked comfortable defensively and found Antony with an excellent long pass. Made a huge block to deny Lewandowski right at the end.

Lisandro Martinez (8/10):

Solid at the back once again. If Barca managed to get past Shaw on the left, Martinez was there to cut them out. Even recovered from his own initial mistakes, like digging in to stop Kessie after failing to play him offside.

Luke Shaw (5/10):

A poor performance from the left-back. Barca were able to get by him one too many times and he did not offer much going forward.

AdvertisementGettyMidfield

Casemiro (8/10):

Always lingering around the base of the midfield, ready to sweep up and cut out Barca's passes. Saved De Gea's blushes with a vital intervention after De Gea served up a great chance on a plate.

Fred (7/10):

Another strong performance from the Brazilian midfielder, got a well-deserved goal to level the score. Fought hard for every ball that came near him all over the pitch. He's been so often maligned by fans, so this was a big moment for him.

Jadon Sancho (5/10):

Tasked with playing in the number 10 role for the first half and did not look comfortable at all. Moved to the left wing and United immediately reaped the rewards, as he played it into Bruno, who teed up Fred for the equaliser.

GettyAttack

Marcus Rashford (6/10):

Had a rather quiet first half but was more lively in the second as United's attack changed shape. Chased down balls with determination and was more of a direct threat but not as devastating as fans have come to expect.

Wout Weghorst (4/10):

Tried to press the Barca defence but was tame on the ball and unsurprisingly replaced by Antony at half-time.

Bruno Fernandes (8/10):

Let his team down with a silly foul to give away a penalty and got a needless booking for smashing the ball straight at De Jong. Proved important early in the second half when he set up Fred's equaliser, won the ball for to create the winner and was still giving his all until the very end.

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Subs & Manager

Antony (8/10):

Replaced Weghorst for the second half and was trying hard to create some danger, eventually firing in the decisive second goal. His biggest moment with the Red Devils – by far.

Diogo Dalot (6/10):

On in the second half for Wan-Bissaka and was immediately overlapping Antony on the right. Helped United remain threatening for the rest of the match.

Alejandro Garnacho (6/10):

Replaced Sancho to provide a more direct threat and looked more lively than his predecessor.

Scott McTominay (N/A):

Took Rashford's place late on but did not have enough time to make an impact.

Erik ten Hag (9/10):

Made some key half-time changes to inspire his team's turnaround in the second half. They were second best for the first 45 minutes but he corrected his mistake by moving Sancho from a central position to the left and Fernandes to the right. Bringing Antony and Garnacho on for the underwhelming Weghorst and Sancho proved perfect calls, too.

Jude Bellingham’s influence in world football continues to grow, with the Real Madrid star seeing his goal celebration copied by fellow professionals.

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England international starring in SpainHas earned respect from fans & playersBrazilian playmaker copied goal routineWHAT HAPPENED?

Such recognition has previously been reserved for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford, with the Manchester United forwards of past and present boasting iconic routines of their own when hitting the back of the net.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

England international Bellingham now falls into that category, with the 20-year-old midfielder making quite the impression in Spain on the back of his €103 million (£90m/$110m) transfer to Santiago Bernabeu. He boasts the respect and adulation of fans and players across the globe, with West Ham star Lucas Paqueta the latest to offer a nod towards a man that many consider to be a future Ballon d’Or winner in the making.

DID YOU KNOW?

Brazilian playmaker Paqueta had cause for celebration after netting for the Hammers in their Europa League win over Olympiakos – with the South American going on to tag Bellingham in an “only today my friend” social media post. The Blancos star soon responded with a post of his own featuring the laughing face and handshake emojis.

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WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Bellingham has registered 13 goals through 14 appearances for Real Madrid this season and will be hoping to shake off a shoulder injury in time to feature for the Spanish giants against Valencia on Saturday, before then heading off with England for Euro 2024 qualification clashes with Malta and North Macedonia.

James Anderson has become the latest England player to play down the criticisms made in Kevin Pietersen’s autobiography

ESPNcricinfo staff10-Oct-2014James Anderson has become the latest England player to attempt to defuse criticisms made in Kevin Pietersen’s autobiography. Anderson rejected the idea that a bullying culture was allowed to flourish in the side and said it was “sad” to hear Pietersen’s version of his time with England.The release of this week has been accompanied by controversy at almost every turn of the page, with Andrew Strauss describing the “madness” as potentially damaging to English cricket.Pietersen’s harshest judgements were reserved for Andy Flower, the former team director, and wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who he describes as being part of a bowler-led clique. Despite being part of that group, Anderson is, however, spared opprobrium, described by Pietersen as “the nicest man in the world”, and he in turn only had good things to say about the Flower era.”We’ve got more important things to worry about than someone’s book,” Anderson said, speaking at a sponsor’s event at Lord’s. “The issues that have been brought up are sad really. The dressing room for the seven or eight years we were winning and successful was fantastic. You don’t achieve what we did during that period without all the guys pulling in the same direction.”I can’t get my head round it. He seems like he has not enjoyed it for any of the time he was there, but we all enjoyed it.”Asked if Pietersen’s accusations of bullying were true, Anderson said: “Not at all.” He defended Flower’s record, describing England’s recent successes as the highlight of his career, and suggested that the fallout from Pietersen’s book was beginning to cast a shadow over those years.”It’s overshadowed what we achieved,” he said. “We had a successful time under coach Andy Flower. We won three Ashes series, got to world No. 1 and won in India for the first time in 20-odd years – Andy was the driving force behind that.”That period of time as an England cricketer was the highlight of my career so far, and I’m sure I speak for the other lads when I say it was probably the highlight of their career so far too.”Sitting on the outfield at Sydney, having won 3-1 in 2010-11, sharing a drink, chatting through our favourite moments of that particular tour will stick with me for many years to come. I’m sure that many of the other lads will feel the same. Hopefully what has come out won’t overshadow what we did achieve and what was not just a successful period but a really enjoyable one too.”Anderson added that he would have preferred the issues to “stay in house”. Intriguingly, he also seemed to suggest that Pietersen had not made his problems with team-mates clear and that his sacking by the ECB had denied him the chance to defend himself.”This is not an ideal situation but it’s different with Kev,” Anderson said. “He never got a chance to stand up for himself in the dressing room because the opportunity to be in the dressing room was taken away from him by the powers that be. He is now venting his frustration through a book.”

Sri Lanka sauntered to their first victory of the New Zealand tour, after Tillakaratne Dilshan hit a breezy 116 on a fine batting surface at Seddon Park

The Report by Andrew Fidel Fernando15-Jan-2015
Scorecard and ball-by-ball detailsKumar Sangakkara had a hand in three run-outs apart from a catch and a stumping•Getty ImagesSri Lanka sauntered to their first victory of the New Zealand tour, after Tillakaratne Dilshan hit a breezy 116 off 127 balls on a fine batting surface at Seddon Park. The six-wicket win had been forged by the spin bowlers – Dilshan among them – who delivered 37 overs between them, and by New Zealand’s several indiscretions between the wickets. A target of 249 never looked a testing on a pitch that offered little in the way of seam or turn, and thanks to Dilshan, Sri Lanka were in control for the entire duration of their chase.New Zealand losing four wickets to run outs will be cause for concern, but their batting was also ineffective, except for Brendon McCullum, who struck a supercharged 117 from 99. Of the other top-six batsmen, only Ross Taylor had made more than 10, and his contribution had been a pained 34 from 69 balls. Once Sri Lanka dismissed McCullum, four more wickets fell in eight overs, effectively scuttling the hosts’ chances of posting a competitive score.Dilshan began the chase by collecting an easy four to fine leg in the third over, but was very nearly out for 6 in the next, when a Matt Henry delivery jagged in sharply off the seam to collect his inside edge. Luke Ronchi couldn’t hold on to a tough chance to his left and Dilshan profited from his luck.He dismissed Adam Milne down the ground in the fifth over and initiated the theme of his innings: his driving, in the arc between cover and mid-on. Dilshan sent one screaming past the bowler in Milne’s next over as well, and hung back next ball to cut viciously to third man when the change of length came.Sri Lanka cruised through their batting Powerplay with Dimuth Karunaratne making a good start as well. He was eventually trapped in front by Nathan McCullum for 21, but the chase would stay on track. Kumar Sangakkara launched three hits over the straight fence to kick-start his innings, and was the aggressor in a 52-run second-wicket stand with Dilshan.Tenth ton in chase for Dilshan

4 Number of New Zealand batsmen who were run-out – Daniel Vettori, Corey Anderson, Luke Ronchi and Nathan McCullum. The ODI record is five.

19 Number of ODI hundreds for Tillakaratne Dilshan, placing him tenth in the list of batsmen with most centuries. He went past AB de Villiers, Mahela Jayawardene and Mark Waugh, who have 18 each.

7 Number of ODIs, including today’s, in which the opener who began at the non-striker’s end for both teams have made centuries.
166 Number of sixes hit by Brendon McCullum in ODIs, placing him seventh on the all-time list. He hit five of them in Hamilton, going past Ricky Ponting’s 162 sixes.

9 Number of hundreds scored by Dilshan in successful chases. The only batsmen to beat his tally are Sachin Tendulkar (14) and Virat Kohli (13).

Milne returned to test Dilshan with the short ball in the middle overs, and soon found that his pull shot was as punishing as his drives. The batsman slowed after the field had spread, but collected regular singles from the seam bowlers and was untroubled by the spin of McCullum and Daniel Vettori. Meanwhile, Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene glittered briefly, then fell to well-set New Zealand traps.Dilshan’s drives had largely been down the ground in his first fifty runs, but he began to unfurl the manic thrashes through the covers as he approached three-figures. It was that shot, off Milne, that took him to his 19th hundred. By then, Sri Lanka’s victory was almost assured, and Angelo Mathews took his side home with a hooked four off Henry in the 48th over.Vettori was the first run-out victim in New Zealand’s innings, moments after he had been saved by his long stride. An lbw referral found the impact to be 300cm in front of the stumps and the umpire’s call of not out was upheld. But he was caught short by after some nifty work by Jeevan Mendis at short midwicket in the 34rd over, and the batting Powerplay brought New Zealand even more woe.Taylor top-edged a sweep to fine leg. Luke Ronchi was run out before facing a ball as he responded late to the prospect of a quick single. Corey Anderson was run out the next over, driving to mid-on and tore two-thirds of the way down the pitch when he realised Nathan McCullum had not made the slightest response. The next domino in the chain, Nathan McCullum, was caught short of his ground attempting another quick single too. He punched towards mid-off in the 45th over, and was struck down by a Jayawardene direct hit.At the end of the 30th over, New Zealand had been 158 for 2. At the 45th, they were 208 for 8, and only recovered to 248 thanks to a 26-run last-wicket stand between Henry and Trent Boult.It was a dismal return for McCullum who had been positive against Sri Lanka’s new-ball pair and use his maturity to sustain the tempo against the spinners as well. He sat back and allowed the bowlers to stray into his enormous strike zone, and twice lifted Mendis’ short balls into the crowd, carved Rangana Herath over cover, and slapped Sachithra Senanayake to deep midwicket as well. A boundary seemed to come every few balls for much of McCullum’s innings. With 12 fours and five sixes, 78 of his runs were composed of them.That Sri Lanka managed to weather the blitz was due to canny bowling to the men at the other end. Martin Guptill was strangled out and Tom Latham was the victim of a Herath slider that caught the outside edge.When McCullum was reprieved on 104 in the 28th over, the other batsmen had collectively scored only 35 off 73 balls. His team-mates’ ineptitude would continue even after he was out to a smart catch by Mendis off his own bowling.

In his final Test, in a series New Zealand cannot win, Brendon McCullum has floated the possibility of playing an all-pace attack on a pitch he deemed ‘not pleasant’ for the batsmen

Brydon Coverdale in Christchurch19-Feb-2016Brendon McCullum is renowned for his relentless attack, whether hurling himself into the advertising boards in a desperate attempt to save a boundary, or setting Test-like slip cordons during one-day games. So it should be no surprise that on the eve of his final Test match, McCullum floated the possibility of another aggressive move: four fast men and no spinner. It would be a bold bid to level the series with Australia at Hagley Oval.It would also be a significant gamble, but then McCullum loves a punt. He will now never lift the Trans-Tasman Trophy but why not go all-in as he eyes 1-1? How he would love to win the toss and send the Australians in if the selectors give him Trent Boult, Tim Southee, Matt Henry and Neil Wagner. Having seen the pitch on match eve, McCullum declared that “it’s not going to be necessarily a pleasant time out there with bat in hand”.New Zealand’s selectors will need to make at least one change to the attack due to Doug Bracewell’s shoulder injury, but McCullum said they were considering whether to make a second change as well. McCullum has been a vocal supporter of offspinner Mark Craig throughout this summer but it cannot be ignored that he has struggled for impact against Australia, and in four Tests against them he has 10 wickets at 66.60.”Matt Henry will come in for Doug Bracewell,” McCullum said on Friday, “and it’s just trying to work out whether we play Mark Craig or Neil Wagner and that’s the decision we’ve got to make.”Last time New Zealand entered a Test without a frontline spinner was at the Basin Reserve against India two years ago: legspinner Ish Sodhi had played in the victory in the first Test in Auckland, but was left out in Wellington. The move did not work for New Zealand, who were sent in to bat, got rolled for 192 and needed a second-innings triple-century from McCullum in order to battle out a draw.The first two days at Hagley Oval are sold out, and most members of the crowd would be pretty happy if McCullum could replicate that triple-hundred for his farewell to Test cricket. It will not be that simple, especially if Australia win the toss again. But one thing observers should expect is a typical McCullum innings: he won’t die wondering in conditions that should favour the bowlers.”Maybe it’s one of those times when fortune favours the brave,” he said. “We’ll see what unfolds. I think it will go around for a while … It’s probably not quite as hard as the Basin. I thought the Basin was a really good cricket wicket. It did a lot in that first session and then dried out a little bit quicker than what a team who’s been bowled out for 180 wanted.”In fact, not much of the Test summer against Australia has gone as New Zealand wanted, home or away. After New Zealand reached the World Cup final and then drew a Test series in England – a better result than Australia achieved during the Ashes – expectations were high for a competitive Trans-Tasman summer. McCullum acknowledged that his men had not played to their potential in losing three of the four Tests against Australia this season.”Probably trying too hard,” he said. “Sometimes when you want something so much, you start to tighten up a little bit. Australia, if you give them an inch, they know how to take it. That’s why they’ve been such a good team for such a long period of time. If we look at the first Test matches of both series, they’ve started brilliantly and we’ve struggled to keep up.”As the series has worn on, we’ve started to get ourselves back into it. The nature of games these days is that the majority of them are reaching results so you can’t be behind the eight-ball as far as what we have been in those two Test matches. It’s a combination of us being a bit tight and a bit keen to do well and also Australia being ruthless when they get the opportunity.”Despite that, the era that comes to an end this week has been a successful one for New Zealand. They have still not lost a Test series at home since McCullum and coach Mike Hesson came together in 2012, and McCullum’s leadership has galvanised the country behind the cricket team in a way that usually only the All Blacks can achieve.On Thursday night, the All Blacks were named Team of the Year at the Halberg Awards for New Zealand sporting excellence, but Kane Williamson was Sportsman of the Year, Grant Elliott’s six to win the World Cup semi-final was voted Sporting Moment of the Year, and McCullum won the Sport New Zealand Leadership Award. It was a case of success in black tie; this week they want success in black caps.

The striker has been generating a huge amount of excitement in Italy for some time now and looks destined to achieve great things

There were still seven minutes remaining in AC Milan's Serie A clash with Fiorentina when Stefano Pioli decided to make a change up front. "Off goes Luka Jovic annnnnnnd…." the stadium announcer said, his voice rising along with the excitement inside the Giuseppe Meazza, "FOR THE FIRST TIME…. NUMBER 73… FRANCESCO CAMARDA!"

The crowd at San Siro erupted, the Curva Sud chanting his name while Camarda's mother burst into tears. As for her son, he simply puffed out his cheeks and smiled. It was, Camarda admitted afterwards, "something unique that I will never forget".

Nobody will, in fairness, because this was history in the making; Camarda made his first appearance for Milan at just 15 years and 260 days old – making him the youngest player Serie A has ever seen.

A combination of injury and suspension had forced Pioli's hand but nobody was in the least bit surprised that the Rossoneri coach had, in his desperation, turned to Camarda. He was being tipped for greatness even before he made his first appearance for the Primavera (Under-19s) earlier this season. Indeed, the feeling at San Siro has long been that Milan have already found their next great goalscorer…

Where it all began

Camarda was born in Milan and began playing organised football with Afforese, a small but famous club located in the north-west of the city.

Despite being just six when he joined, his incredible potential was immediately obvious to Piero Colangelo, who was responsible for the lowest age groups at the time.

"He was three years younger than some of the kids but he was doing the training exercises better than anyone," he told .

"Let me be clear: I don't want to take any credit. Everything Francesco has done is exclusively thanks to him. The first time I saw him, I was shocked: he already looked like a miniature footballer. So, his case is absolutely unique. I have never met boys with his qualities since.

"He scored loads of goals even with the older players; there was no way to stop him. He already had a powerful physique, he played forward or as a winger and was clearly superior to everyone: he was a hurricane, a pain for all his opponents."

Unsurprisingly, his exploits at Afforese attracted the attention of Milan, whom he joined in 2015.

AdvertisementThe big break

There was no containing Camarda at Milan either. The 'hurricane' laid waste to every defence that had the misfortune to be placed in his path, obliterating one record after another, reportedly averaging five goals a game as he progressed from one under-age team to another.

He struck 22 times in 25 appearances for Milan's Under-15 Italian champions, including the winner in the Scudetto final against Fiorentina.

By that stage, the hype surrounding Camarda was already building and he inevitably began to attract the attention of rival clubs, particularly as Milan were not in a position to tie him down to a long-term professional contract until he turned 16.

However, in one of his last moves before being ruthlessly sacked by Milan, Paolo Maldini went out of his way to assure Camarda and his family that his future would be best served by staying at San Siro, revealing that he would be added to the Primavera (Under-19s) squad for the 2023-24 season.

How it's going

On his UEFA Youth League debut, Camarda scored two goals and created another in a 4-0 rout of Newcastle. In his most recent outing, against Paris Saint-Germain on November 7, he helped Milan to a 3-2 win with a stunning scissors-kick.

So, when Pioli realised that he would be without both Rafael Leao and Noah Okafor for Saturday's game against Fiorentina due to injury, as well as the suspended Olivier Giroud, he decided to call up Camarda.

The youngster had already trained with the senior squad several times, even featuring in a pre-season friendly against Trento.

Consequently, Pioli had no doubts that Camarda was ready to make the step up.

"Talent has no age," the coach told reporters on the eve of the match at San Siro, "and Francesco undoubtedly has it."

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GettyBiggest strengths

Camarda is considered a complete No.9, an all-action, all-round attacker blessed with excellent technique who is strong in the air and boasts a fearsome strike. However, what really stands out is his character.

As Pioli has commented, Camarda is "very mature" for his age – which is why he had no qualms about throwing him at the deep end on Saturday.

He's also a fiercely competitive character. Famously, in a match against Bayern Munich in 2018, he was forced off with an ankle injury after 15 minutes only to ask his coach to be sent back on (which is allowed in the lower age groups) with 10 minutes remaining because Milan were trailing by two goals. Despite still being in serious pain, Camarada was directly involved in three goals, scoring two himself, as the Rossoneri came from behind to win.

It is that will to win, mixed with his obvious prodigious talent, that has got Camarda to this point in his professional career at such a ridiculously young age.

Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard is keeping in shape and staying 'positive' as he continues to search for a new club.

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Lingard shares more training photosFormer United star still without clubMoves to West Ham and Saudi Arabia fell throughWHAT HAPPENED?

Lingard has been without a club since he left Nottingham Forest at the end of last season. The 30 year old is desperate to find a new home, and is keeping himself in top shape. On Thursday, he took to Instagram to share what he's been up to on the training pitch.

AdvertisementGoal ARTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Lingard trained with former club West Ham over the summer, but the Hammers decided against offering him a contract. The ex-England international then came close to a move to Saudi Arabia after training with Steven Gerrard's Al-Ettifaq, but talks reportedly broke down over his wage demands.

WHAT LINGARD SAID

Lingard captioned his Instagram post with: "Positivity and progress." Last week he posted photos of him training with the words: "Motivation, hunger and love for the game."

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR LINGARD?

The 30 year old clearly has years left in him, but where he ends up playing next remains to be seen. The Saudi Pro League remains an option in January, with the division's recruitment chief recently hinting that clubs will continue to add to their expensively-assembled squads this winter.

The Newcastle fan involved who provoked Kieran Trippier into a spat after his side's 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth has admitted he regrets the incident.

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Trippier confronted fansNewcastle lost 2-0Fan has now spoken outWHAT HAPPENED?

Trippier confronted angry Newcastle fans after the Magpies' 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth. The right-back pointed out to the supporters that the squad are dealing with an injury crisis; their current absentee list is 12 players strong.

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Trippier's team-mate Joelinton had to intervene and dragged the right-back away, while manager Eddie Howe consoled the defender. The fan involved has now revealed himself as Thomas Willoughby, per the Mirror, and he posted on Facebook admitting his regret at the incident.

WHAT THEY SAID

Posting on Facebook, Willoughby said: "It was me, I travelled all day and was very frustrated with the performance. I regret having a go at them because I know what all these players have done for this club.

"Everyone's done stupid things. I hold my hands up and admit I shouldn't have had a go at them that much but was just the heat of the moment."

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Newcastle go into the international break sitting seventh in the Premier League, and face Chelsea on November 25.

USMNT youngster Malik Tillman has admitted his future is out of his hands amid reports that he will leave Bayern Munich.

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Tillman says future not up to himUSMNT starlet on loan at PSVDutch club can buy from BayernWHAT HAPPENED?

Tillman is a graduate of Bayern's youth system and is currently on loan at Eredivisie side PSV Eindhoven. The midfielder has enjoyed a superb start to the season, scoring five goals and providing one assist in eight league matches. PSV reportedly have a purchase option of around $13 million (£12m) hat can be activated at the end of the season, meaning Tillman might not have much of a say when it comes to his future.

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The 21-year-old told reporter Marco Timmer: "I don't know what happens after this season.That depends on PSV and Bayern.If PSV activates the purchase option, I don't think I have much to say about it.Then I play at a high level at PSV, I want to get better, and ultimately take a step up again."

TILLMAN HAPPY AT PSV

Indeed, Tillman made it clear that he is happy and settled in Eindhoven. "I have really enjoyed my time at PSV from day one. It was the right move for me after Rangers FC. The trainer, the team and the attacking style of play suit me. We also play in the Champions League and that was a very important condition for me. I have only positive feelings about PSV. I want to develop further in Eindhoven and who knows what will be possible next."

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THE BIGGER PICTURE

Tillman has certainly benefited from joining PSV, reflected by his continuing involvement with the USMNT. His performances have contributed to his side's 12-game-winning start to the Eredivisie season, and he looks to be in a good position to be included in Gregg Berhalter's squad for the Copa America next summer.