تحدث تييري هنري، أسطورة آرسنال وبرشلونة السابق عن مباراة ريال مدريد ومانشستر سيتي ضمن منافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وخسر ريال مدريد أمام مانشستر سيتي بثنائية مقابل هدف في المباراة التي جمعتهما أمس الأربعاء، ضمن منافسات الجولة السادسة من مرحلة الدوري لبطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا.
وقال هنري، في تصريحات نقلتها صحيفة “سبورت” الإسبانية: “لا أعرف ما الذي يدور في ذهن الإدارة، أجد دائمًا أنه من السخيف أن يواجه مدرب مشاكل، لم يمضِ على وجود ألونسو في النادي سوى ستة أشهر، لا أعتقد أنه يجب إقالته الآن”.
اقرأ أيضًا | موقف ريال مدريد من إقالة ألونسو بعد الهزيمة أمام مانشستر سيتي
وأكمل: “هناك أندية مثل ريال مدريد وبرشلونة أو أي نادٍ آخر على هذا المستوى قد تشعر بالإحباط من النتائج وتبدأ بسماع شائعات عن احتمال حدوث تغييرات في الجهاز الفني، هذا أمر شائع، إذا كان لديك مدرب تثق به، فإن الشيء المنطقي الذي يجب فعله هو محاولة معرفة ما يمكن أن تفعله معه لتحسين الأداء”.
وأضاف: “تستمع إلى الرئيس، وتسمع أشياءً كثيرة، وتسمع أيضًا جاريث بيل يقول إنك تحتاج إلى المدرب ليدير الفريق أكثر من أن يدربه، أنا لا أتفق مع هذا لكن هكذا هو ريال مدريد وكل من يذهب إلى هناك يعرف ذلك، سنرى ما سيحدث”.
وأتم: “أشعر بالأسف تجاه تشابي ألونسو لأنني رأيت ما كان يفعله في باير ليفركوزن عندما كان هناك فريق وغرفة ملابس يستمعان إلى ما يريد فعله، الآن لست متأكدًا من أن لاعبي ريال مدريد يستمعون إليه”.
O Bahia recebe o Naútico nesta quarta-feira (10), pelas quartas de final da Copa Nordeste. A bola rola a partir das 21h30 (de Brasília), na Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador, com transmissão do SBT e do canal Nosso Futebol (Youtube).
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✅ FICHA TÉCNICA Bahia x Náutico – Copa do Nordeste Quartas de final
🗓️ Data e horário: quarta-feira, 10 de abril de 2024, às 21h30 (hora de Brasília) 📍 Local: Arena Fonte Nova, em Salvador (BA) 📺 Onde assistir: SBT e canal Nosso Futebol (Youtube) 🟨 Arbitragem: Paulo Jose Souza Mourão (árbitro); Ivanildo Gonçalves da Silva (assistente 1); Antônio Adriano de Oliveira (assistente 2); Ricarle Gustavo Goncalves Batista (quarto árbitro)
⚽ PROVÁVEIS ESCALAÇÕES
BAHIA (Técnico: Rogério Ceni) Marcos Felipe; Santiago Arias, Kanu, Cuesta e Rezende; Caio Alexandre, Jean Lucas, Cauly e Everton Ribeiro; Biel (Luciano Juba) e Thaciano.
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Desfalques: Everaldo, Ryan e Acevedo (lesionados)
NAÚTICO (Técnico: Mazola Júnior) Vágner; Arnaldo, Joécio, Rafael Vaz e Diego Matos; Sousa Marco Antônio e Patrick Allan e Thiago Lopes; Cléo Silva e Paulo Sérgio.
Desfalques: Lorran e Júlio César (lesionados)
Tudo sobre
BahiaCopa do NordesteFutebol NacionalNáuticoOnde assistir
Uma das maiores promessas do Flamengo na década passada, Adryan será o novo reforço do ABC, de Natal, segundo o “ge”. O meia volta ao Brasil pela primeira vez desde 2021, quando defendeu o Avaí.
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Revelado pelo Rubro-Negro, o jogador foi cercado por grandes expectativas e chegou a ser comparado com Zico por conta de seu futebol apresentado nas categorias de base. O atleta chegou a ter uma multa rescisória no valor de R$ 130 milhões para deixar a Gávea.
Sem conseguir render o que era esperado no Flamengo, Adryan viveu sua primeira experiência na Europa com o Cagliari, da Itália. O meia também já vestiu as camisas de Leeds, Nantes, Sion, Kayserispor e Brescia.
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Campeão da Copinha com o Rubro-Negro, o jogador está com 29 anos e está sem jogar desde o meio do ano passado, onde encerrou seu contrato com o clube italiano. A expectativa é de que o atleta seja apresentado nesta semana.
The reason for cancellation is not yet clear, but it is the second time in as many games Pakistan have scrapped their customary pre-match media duties
Danyal Rasool20-Sep-2025
Salman Agha speaks with the team manager•AFP/Getty Images
Pakistan have cancelled another scheduled pre-match press conference, this one ahead of their Super Fours game against India on Sunday. According to the schedule the Asian Cricket Council released, a Pakistan player or member of the coaching staff was scheduled to do a press conference at 6pm local time on Saturday. The team was also slated to train from 6pm onwards for three hours at the ICC Academy in Dubai. ESPNcricinfo has learnt that training is set to go ahead as scheduled.The reason for cancelling the press conference is not yet clear. It is the second time in as many games Pakistan have scrapped their customary pre-match media duties. They had declined to hold a press conference ahead of their must-win game against UAE, while the handshake saga with match referee Andy Pycroft raged on.Meanwhile, Pycroft has been confirmed as the match referee for the India vs Pakistan game on Sunday too.Related
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Pycroft to stand as match referee in Ind vs Pak Super Fours game
In the days since, that feud has largely been put to rest after the ICC organised a meeting between Pycroft and Pakistan’s coach, captain, media and team managers where Pycroft offered his regrets for the way events at the toss against India had unfolded. He had told Salman Ali Agha there would not be a handshake with the India captain Suryakumar Yadav, which Pakistan had interpreted as Pycroft’s failure to uphold the ICC’s code of conduct and demanded his “immediate removal” from the tournament.The meeting before the UAE game appeared to have placated the PCB somewhat; they put out a short video of it, with no audio, and said in a statement that Pycroft had apologised. That, in turn, appeared to have angered the ICC, who took exception to the recording of that video, writing a strongly-worded e-mail to the PCB, saying the board had breached protocol by filming without consent in the Players and Match Officials Area (PMOA). There is no official confirmation that the PCB ever responded to that email.India will not hold a press conference on Saturday either. As is customary for sides who play their next game after only a day’s gap, they held an embargoed press conference looking ahead to the Pakistan clash, following the conclusion of their game against Oman on Friday night.Sunday will be both sides’ first game in the Super Fours stage.
David Moyes has been reluctant to rotate at Everton this season. The Merseysiders are 14th in the Premier League after a summer of sweeping change, yet signings such as Tyler Dibling and Merlin Rohl remain on the fringe.
In fairness, Moyes did say at the start of the season that Everton’s deep-rooted issues would take more than one summer to eradicate and remould into something progressive, but some are questioning why more is not being made of the resources at hand.
Premier League 25/26 – Fewest Players Used
Club
Position
Players Used
Everton
14th
19
Man United
8th
20
Tottenham
6th
20
Brentford
12th
21
Data via Transfermarkt
However, there is one change the Scotsman would love to make that hasn’t been possible. Indeed, Jarrad Branthwaite continues to languish on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury, and his return would do the Toffees the world of good.
Moyes needs Branthwaite back at Everton
Branthwaite is arguably Everton’s best player. Certainly, he would be the most profitable, with Manchester United billed £70m for the potential signing of the England international last year. No move came to fruition.
But he has yet to grace the Hill Dickinson pitch, having sustained an injury in pre-season. Several weeks ago, a complication in the defender’s muscular recovery led to surgery, and now he is set for an extended spell on the sidelines, with some sources suggesting he will not be ready until after the new year.
This is a powerful and front-footed centre-half whose 6 foot 5 presence demands respect. Much has been made of Everton’s struggles in the final third this season, but we must also acknowledge the ramifications of not having your best defender fit for the opening months of the campaign (this was also true for Sean Dyche last year, when the Blues started off on a four-match skid).
Michael Keane has done a fine job in stepping in for the younger man this season, arguably outplaying the vice-captain James Tarkowski beside him, but there’s no question that Branthwaite, described as an “absolute monster” by talent scout Jacek Kulig, would walk back into the line-up when fit enough to do so.
Everton have made headway this season, but further improvements are needed if Moyes’ side are to break the surface of expectations and find a space among the heavyweights in the Premier League.
Moyes, to be sure, must be more open to unleashing those bit-part members of the squad. Perhaps they could make a marked difference. There’s one youngster who is considered an elite talent, and yet he has not featured this term. Moyes must now unleash him.
Moyes must unleash "generational" youngster
This summer, Everton completed a wave of signings. The most notable addition was Jack Grealish on loan from Manchester City, while big buys included Dibling and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Thierno Barry.
But the arrival of Adam Aznou from Bayern Munich, for around £8m, has fallen under the radar. The 19-year-old is an attack-minded left-back, though his versatility permits moonlit roles further up the field and even in an alternative right-back placement.
It is his dribbling that stands out most. Last season, while out on loan in La Liga with Real Valladolid, Aznou averaged two dribbles per game, which stood as the second-highest success rate of any defender in the Spanish top flight (data via BBC).
The Moroccan has even been described as a “generational talent” by the aforementioned Kulig, and it’s curious to note he is alongside Branthwaite in having yet to make his first-team debut for Moyes’ side.
The difference is that he has not been injured, but rather, kept from the action by his manager. Seven times in succession, he has sat on the bench in the Premier League, and seven times in succession, he has remained unused.
There are concerns about the player’s physicality, but there is undoubtedly a reluctance on Moyes’ part to unleash youngsters. Last month, Dibling started against Crystal Palace and ended the 63-year-old’s 185-match streak of not naming a teenager in the starting line-up. Dibling was hooked at half-time.
It has been said that Everton are open to loaning the teenager out this winter, sending him somewhere for a short stay and with the view toward providing him with a suitable environment for growth.
There is reason to this possible route, but whether it is truly the best course of action for an Everton side in need of more dynamism down the flanks is another question. However, Branthwaite before him went out on loan with PSV Eindhoven and returned to the Premier League a better player for it.
Perhaps Aznou could emulate his fellow defender in this regard, heading out for the second half of the campaign before returning next summer and shining thereafter.
Vitalii Mykolenko is limited in his attacking output, with data platform FBref ranking the Ukrainian among the bottom 9% of full-backs in the Premier League this season for shot-creating actions per 90 (0.86). Likewise, Jake O’Brien has been dependable in his makeshift right-back role, but he is naturally a centre-back and his game reflects this.
The left-footed Branthwaite’s return and the robustness he adds could actually be perfect for Aznou as the Morocco international looks to establish himself on Merseyside. It’s a debate with substance on both sides: Aznou could help Everton with his progressiveness this year, and yet a slow, gradual integration might be better for his long-term development.
Patience was always going to be required for a young and talented full-back whose experience on the major stage is shallow. In this, Moyes’ decision to keep him on the sidelines is understandable.
However, many would not agree. There have been opportunities to unleash Aznou, and instead, he plies his trade under Paul Tait’s wing in the development squad.
There’s a sense that Everton are going to attack the January transfer window and target a new centre-forward and fresh full-backs besides. Might it be that Aznou is the answer to the club’s issues down the wings?
In La Liga last season, he won an average of 2.2 tackles and 5.8 duels per game (as per Sofascore), triumphing in 51% of that latter metric.
Work is needed, of course it is, but surely this wonderful and exciting prospect deserves a chance to shine after Everton won the summer tussle for his signature.
Everton flop "failed a succession of managers", now he's saving Moyes
This Everton veteran is proving to be the unlikely signing of the summer.
لا يتعلم نادي برشلونة الإسباني من الأخطاء التي وقع بها سابقًا في بطولة دوري أبطال أوروبا، وتكرر الأمر خلال سقوطه أمام تشيلسي الإنجليزي، بمواجهة الفريقين أمس الثلاثاء.
والتقى برشلونة وتشيلسي على ملعب “ستامفورد بريدج” في لندن، الثلاثاء، ضمن مباريات مرحلة الدوري بالجولة الخامسة، ومُني الفريق الكتالوني بهزيمة بثلاثة أهداف دون مقابل.
وسلطت صحيفة “ماركا” الإسبانية الضوء في تقرير لها، على أخطاء تكررت من قبل فريق برشلونة بمنافسات دوري أبطال أوروبا، وأثرت على نتائج الفريق.
شهدت المباراة تسجيل هدف عكسي من جول كوندي في شباك برشلونة، منح تشيلسي التقدم، كما تلقى رونالد أراوخو بطاقة حمراء بعد حصوله على بطاقتين صفراوتين في نهاية الشوط الأول.
ومن بين آخر ست هزائم للفريق في دوري أبطال أوروبا، شهدت ثلاث منها طرد لاعب من برشلونة قبل نهاية الشوط الأول.
أراوخو ضد تشيلسي، تلقى بطاقته الصفراء الثانية لعرقلته كوكوريلا وكان في طريقه إلى المرمى ضد خوان جارسيا، وكان بإمكان مدافع البلوجرانا تجنب العرقلة، خاصة وهو على علم بأنه إذا تحصل على بطاقة صفراء ستكون الثانية.
اقرأ أيضًا | فليك يضطر لتغيير خطته مع لاعبي برشلونة بعد ثلاثية تشيلسي
كما كان بإمكان أراوخو تجنب البطاقة الصفراء الأولى، والتي تلقاها بسبب احتجاجه على خطأ على لامين يامال.
وفي موسم 2023/2024، تلقى أراوخو بطاقة حمراء كان من الممكن تفاديها ضد باريس سان جيرمان، حين تدخل على باركولا الذي كان في مواجهة تير شتيجن.
وبرشلونة كان متقدمًا بنتيجة 1-0 في تلك اللحظة، وكان متقدمًا بالفعل بنتيجة 3-2 في مباراة الذهاب في باريس.
أكمل برشلونة المباراة بعشرة لاعبين من الدقيقة 29، ومع أداء رائع لمبابي مهاجم باريس سان جيرمان حينها، ودع الفريق الكتالوني البطولة.
وفي الموسم التالي، تحت قيادة فليك، خسر برشلونة مباراته الأولى في دور المجموعات في موناكو، وشهدت المباراة طرد إريك جارسيا، بعد حصوله على بطاقة حمراء بعد 11 دقيقة.
كما شهد برشلونة زيادة ملحوظة في عدد البطاقات الصفراء التي يتلاقها اللاعبون، وقد أثّر ذلك سلبًا على الفريق.
There are four double-header days scheduled, with the league stage ending on December 28
ESPNcricinfo staff03-Sep-2025
Dubai Capitals are the reigning ILT20 champions•ILT20
The fourth season of the ILT20 is set to begin on December 2, 2025, with defending champions Dubai Capitals set to take on Desert Vipers in a rematch of last year’s final, in Dubai.There are four double-header days scheduled, with the league stage ending on December 28. The knockout stages will begin with Qualifier 1 on December 30, followed by the Eliminator on January 1. The winner of the Eliminator will have to play Qualifier 2 on the following day, after which there will be a day’s break before the final, on January 4, 2026, in Dubai.Sharjah Warriorz and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will begin their respective campaigns against each other on December 3, while Gulf Giants will take on MI Emirates for their first game, on December 4.The matches will be played across the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, like previous seasons.Dubai Capitals, who have reached the last two finals, won the title in the previous season with a four-wicket win over Vipers.Before them, MI Emirates lifted the trophy in 2024 and Gulf Giants in the inaugural season in 2023.
After finishing 17th in the Premier League last season, it was vital that Tottenham Hotspur bounced back and rose up the table in the ongoing campaign.
Thomas Frank was handed the responsibility of leading the charge, after Ange Postecoglou was handed his marching orders despite winning the Europa League.
The Dane was appointed on a three-year deal in North London, but it was crucial that the supporters gave him time to make the changes he desired to the first-team squad.
He’s now 11 games into the 2025/26 campaign, with the Lilywhites currently occupying fifth place going into the third international break of the current season.
However, there are still improvements to be made across the squad, that’s despite Frank massively changing the fortunes of the squad in one area during his opening months at the helm.
Spurs’ biggest improvement since the 2024/25 campaign
During the 2024/25 Premier League campaign under Postecoglou, Spurs certainly had a year to forget, as they finished just one place above the relegation zone.
The Lilywhites conceded a staggering 65 goals in their 38 league outings, an average of 1.7 per 90, subsequently resulting in a total of 22 league defeats.
TottenhamHotspur managerAngePostecoglu applauds fans after the match
Such a tally was the highest of any side who have survived in England’s top-flight, with the club lucky not to have dropped into the Championship under Postecoglou.
However, Frank’s arrival has stemmed the flow of goals at the back, with his men only conceding 10 goals in the first 11 outings – the fourth best record of any side in the division.
They have also kept a total of four clean sheets in the process, with the likes of Micky van de Ven certainly deserving credit for his part in the defensive solidity.
The Dutch international has started every league game to date, registering a total of 1.2 tackles won per 90, along with 1.1 interceptions per 90 – with the latter ranking him in the top 20% of all players in the league.
He’s also thrived in playing out from the back, as seen by his tally of 92% passes completed, arguably being one of the best centre-backs in the division at present.
Van de Ven has been joined at the heart of the backline by Cristian Romero, with the Argentine international striking up an excellent partnership with the Dutchman.
The pair have operated together in eight of the 11 outings – but have only suffered defeat once in that time, with the loss coming against Bournemouth back in August.
The 27-year-old has ranked in the top 4% of all players in England’s top-flight for tackles won, whilst also placing in the top 15% for duels won per 90.
TottenhamHotspur's CristianRomeroreacts
Given their partnership together, they are undoubtedly one of the best duos in Europe’s top-five leagues, with the defensive improvement under Frank certainly down to their performances.
The Spurs player who’s now becoming one of the best in the world
Alongside Van de Ven and Romero, Spurs have had numerous players who have managed to catch the eye and contribute to their impressive start to 2025/26.
Central midfielder Lucas Bergvall has shown qualities way beyond his tender teenage years, even cementing his place at the heart of Frank’s side in recent months.
The Swedish international has featured in nine league outings this season, even registering his first Premier League goal in the 3-0 victory over West Ham United.
He’s ranked in the 97th percentile for successful dribbles to date, whilst also winning 2.8 tackles per 90 – showcasing his ability to operate in a box-to-box role in North London.
However, he’s not the only player to have cemented his place within the starting eleven, with full-back Djed Spence resurrecting his career with the Lilywhites.
He joined the club in a £20m deal from Middlesbrough back in the summer of 2022, but had to massively bide his time in making an impact in the first team.
The 25-year-old endured three unsuccessful loan spells at Leeds United, Rennes and Genoa, with many supporters undoubtedly expecting a cut-price transfer away from North London last summer.
However, the injury crisis within the squad last campaign handed the Englishman a rare opportunity to stake his claim for a regular spot in the first-team ranks.
He racked up a total of 35 appearances across all competitions in 2024/25, even scoring his first Premier League goal against Ipswich Town – ending the year on a total of five goal contributions.
A little over a year on, it’s evident that Spence has taken full advantage of the chance pushed in his direction, with the full-back now one of Frank’s most important players.
He’s featured in all but one league outing in 2025/26, with his underlying stats highlighting how pivotal he’s been to the Lilywhites’ impressive defensive numbers.
Djed Spence – PL stats (25/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
10
Minutes played
761
Pass accuracy
82%
Tackles made
1.5
Duels won
3.8
Aerials won
47%
Recoveries made
3.4
Dribbles completed
1.8
Stats via FotMob
Spence has made an average of 1.5 tackles per 90 this season, whilst also coming out on top of 3.8 duels per 90 – often posing as a real solid defensive full-back.
The 25-year-old has also come out on top in 47% of the aerial battles he’s entered, whilst also making 3.4 recoveries per 90 – with his pace allowing him to get back and prevent the opposition from creating clear-cut opportunities.
In possession, the defender has been just as impressive, subsequently ranking in the top 20% of all defenders for dribbles completed – with one analyst labelling him as one of the “best in the world”.
As a result, he’s now a full England international, with Thomas Tuchel trusting him to be a key member of the squad ahead of the World Cup in the USA next summer.
His rise in North London over the last 12 months has been nothing short of remarkable, with the player deserving huge credit for his ability to get himself off the canvas.
Alongside Van de Ven and Romero, he certainly is part of one of the division’s best back fours, with the fans needing to enjoy every moment the trio spend together in North London.
Forget Simons: Spurs have an academy sensation who could be Dele 2.0
Tottenham Hotspur already have a sensation who could replace Xavi Simons in North London.
Presidente do Palmeiras, Leila Pereira não demorou a responder provovação do presidente do Flamengo, Rodolfo Landim, sobre o gramado do Allianz Parque. O dirigente rubro-negro citou a derrota do Alviverde para o Internacional na quarta-feira (17), na Arena Barueri, e afirmou que, contra o time carioca, os paulistas “vão querer jogar no sintético”. A mandatária palestrina relembrou – em declaração ao portal “ge” – conquistas recentes do Verdão sobre o rival, vencidas sobre grama natural.
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– A declaração do Landim me causou bastante estranheza. Que eu me lembre, ganhamos a Libertadores de 2021 e a Supercopa de 2023, contra o Flamengo, em campo de grama natural, não é? – questionou Leila Pereira.
– O Landim sabe muito bem que o campo de grama sintética do Allianz Parque não oferece qualquer vantagem técnica ao Palmeiras. O gramado, inclusive, acabou de ser reformado para que tenhamos sempre grandes jogos em nossa casa. Se o Landim estivesse mesmo preocupado com a qualidade do gramado, o campo do Maracanã estaria em melhores condições – completou a presidente do Alviverde.
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Palmeiras e Flamengo se enfrentam no próximo domingo (21), pela terceira rodada do Brasileirão. A bola rola a partir das 16h no Allianz Parque, em São Paulo (SP). O Alviverde ocupa a 12ª colocalçao do campeonato, enquanto o Rubro-Negro é líder após duas partidas.
Stobo the first injury replacement under CA’s new trial rule after Abbott split the webbing on his right hand while fielding in his follow through
Alex Malcolm15-Oct-2025
Sean Abbott was the first man subbed out for an injury in Shield cricket•Getty Images
New South Wales seamer Sean Abbott became the first player to be subbed out of a Sheffield Shield match for an injury other than concussion under Cricket Australia’s new trial rule after he split the webbing in his right hand while fielding a ball off his own bowling on the opening day against Victoria at the Junction Oval in Melbourne.Charlie Stobo was subbed in as the first-ever injury replacement player under the new rule that is being trialed across the first five rounds of the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield competition.Abbott, who is among the contenders to be part of Australia’s extended Ashes squad if Pat Cummins is ruled out of the early part of the series, split the webbing in his right hand while stopping a firmly struck straight drive from Victoria batter Peter Handscomb in the 43rd over of the opening day.Related
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Konstas' Test hopes fade with a duck on 13-wicket day
Labuschagne dropped from Australia ODI squad, Renshaw earns call-up
Abbott left the ground immediately, and team-mate Ryan Hadley completed the over. After being assessed in the rooms, New South Wales made an application to the match referee to have Abbott replaced by another bowler and that request was immediately granted.Stobo bowled his first over of the match immediately after tea having warmed up during the interval.Handscomb is not a fan of the new rule which CA hope will provide insights for the ICC who are considering subs for international cricket.”Not really,” he said after play on Wednesday. “I think first-class cricket and Test cricket is a game of attrition. And if you pick a team and then you can just sub a bloke out halfway through, it takes that factor away.”This is a bloody hard game for four days, and you’ve got to keep backing up and fronting up and doing everything. So I’m all aboard the concussion sub. I think that’s a really good rule. But injuries are part of the game. I think unfortunately, you just kind of have to deal with them and they haven’t.”New South Wales fast bowler Liam Hatcher didn’t mind the new rule. “I’d much rather have Stobes in than be a man down, especially when you get a flat wicket and stuff that’s out of your control like that,” he said. “Yeah, I don’t mind it.”As part of the new rule, Victoria also now have the opportunity to make a tactical substitution of one like-for-like bowler if they feel they need to but can only do so before stumps on day two of the match.”That’s an interesting one, because we’ve got one free hit basically,” Handscomb said. “A bowler gets to bowl his heart out and then we can sub them out if we want to. But we’ve obviously gone into this game under the assumption that we’re going to use just the 11 players and everyone’s ready to go. We know how we can rotate our bowlers through.”We’ve got four seamers and a spinner. Unless something really drastic happens, I’m not sure we’ll be using it and we’ll just be backing in the guys that we picked first up.”The injury to Abbott is untimely. He had missed out on Australia’s ODI squad to face India in part to give him the chance to play a rare first-class game to press his Ashes case before being part of Australia’s T20I squad.As part of the injury substitution rule, Abbott has to undergo a mandatory 12-day non-playing period from the start of day three of the match he was subbed out of, which is October 17, before being allowed to play again. It means he would still be available for Australia’s first T20I against India in Canberra on October 29 provided his hand has recovered in time. But if he was not in the T20I squad he would not have been eligible to play in New South Wales’ next Shield game against Queensland which starts at the Gabba on October 28.”He’s got a few stitches in it, but I think he’s fine,” Hatcher said.Abbott had bowled very impressively in the first session on day one at the Junction Oval in seam-friendly conditions. He picked up the wicket of Victoria opener Harry Dixon caught behind. He also ruffled Handscomb with some hostile short balls with one gloved over the keeper and another glancing off his shoulder and helmet.