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The Jacksonville Jaguars are 4-2 after losing to the Houston Texans in Week 6. After two weeks in London, the Jaguars have a bye week before facing another divisional foe, the Indianapolis Colts, in Week 8.

Looking at the season so far, there are certain takeaways that have become obvious. Here are six lessons learned through the bye.

The Jaguars can win in more than one way

Jacksonville has proved that it doesn't need to rely on one specific formula to walk away with a victory. Cleveland and New England were comfortable wins. Cincinnati required them to survive a huge passing day. Philadelphia was ugly — penalties, no takeaways, protection issues, emergency long snapper — and they still won 19-17. The Jaguars are 4-2 entering the bye, despite the games looking very different from week to week.

This is a team that often, no matter what, finds a way to win.

Parker Washington isn’t a breakout story anymore

Washington had a huge breakout season in 2025, and there were questions about whether or not he would continue to emerge in 2026. Those questions have officially been answered; Parker Washington is the real deal, and well on his way to becoming an elite receiver. Not only is he Jacksonville's clear WR1, but it's all the more impressive considering he fought his way to that spot from a sixth-round pick.

Jacksonville’s young core is developing faster than expected

The Jaguars were criticized heavily in the offseason for letting Travis Etienne and Devin Lloyd walk in free agency without signing known star players to replace them. Instead, Jacksonville felt confident in its young up-and-comers, Bhayshul Tuten and Ventrell Miller. Travis Hunter likewise faced some skepticism after a slow start to the season.

Now, going into the bye, Ventrell and Miller are rated among the best at their respective positions, and Hunter has proven that he is an elite cornerback and can make plays on offense.

The Jaguars’ biggest opponent may be themselves

Jacksonville had huge problems against Cincinnati and Philadelphia, with 13 penalties in each game, including 125 yards against Cincinnati and 100 against Philadelphia. Against Philly specifically, they erased the opening kickoff touchdown, repeatedly put themselves behind the chains and went 0-for-3 in the red zone, and still somehow won.

The Jaguars have proven they can overcome self-inflicted mistakes. However, they cannot afford to continue making them the entire season long.

The offensive line remains a big question mark

Lawrence has taken too much punishment at times, Jalen Carter had two strip-sacks in London, and now Anton Harrison is headed for knee surgery. Most areas of the roster have given us reasons for increased confidence. Protection is the glaring exception.

While Lawrence and the offense have been able to avoid catastrophic mistakes, the pressure can't keep happening.

The Jaguars’ defense is legitimately dominant

The takeaways drew most of the attention early, and understandably so, but Jacksonville’s defense has shown it is much more than a unit living off turnovers. The Jaguars have consistently shut down opposing running games, kept points off the board, and come through in critical situations.

The run defense is particularly strong, with no individual rusher reaching 75 yards against Jacksonville in 24 consecutive games. No other team has accomplished this since the AFL-NFL merger. Altogether, it proves that this defense is a legitimately elite unit that other teams should fear.

This article originally appeared on Jaguars Wire: 6 things we’ve learned about the Jaguars entering the bye

Anthony Slater: Yaxel Lendeborg said he “lost all respect” for Luka Doncic after facing him tonight because he said Doncic was “complaining the entire game.” On his interaction with Doncic: “I told him he sucks. He can’t score on me.”

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Yaxel Lendeborg: I've lost all respect for Luka Doncic

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Benjamin Royer: Luka Doncic: "I mean, he was talking crazy. But, you know, I wasn't trying to talk back. This season, I'm trying to not get techs. It was the first time that was not a double tech, cause I didn't say nothing. So I'm working on it. But as you see, I think it worked great."

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Luka Doncic on Yaxel Lendeborg: 'He was talking crazy'

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Anthony Slater: Draymond Green on Yaxel Lendeborg going at Luka Doncic: “Everyone will say the rookie learned his lesson. What he learn? The next time he see him, go at his ass again.” Full soundbite

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Draymond Green on Yaxel Lendeborg going at Luka …

Draymond Green on Luka Doncic: "Luka will never win an MVP in the NBA. This is the last possible year he can win it. Because if Luka could go average 34 points a game, they're going to be like, oh, yeah, of course Luka average 34 points a game. And it's like JT could go average 30, they're going to be like, oh, yeah, we know he can average 30 points a game. He can average both of them can average 30, 11, and eight. Oh, yeah, we know they're supposed like it won't be viewed as somebody else averaging those numbers. It it's like people get fatigued of it. Same thing happened with LeBron James. You can't tell me he only should have four MVPs. "

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Draymond Green: Luka will never win an MVP in the NBA

In the postgame interview, coach Steve Kerr pointed out the 24-year-old Lendeborg's learning curve. “This was a great welcome-to-the-NBA game for him. Having to guard Luka, who is as tough to guard as anybody in the world. Having to learn all the little tricks that exist in the NBA. He had three fouls that probably wouldn’t be fouls in any other league in the world. But it's the NBA. He's gotta learn this stuff,” said Kerr in the video posted by The Athletic's Anthony Slater. “It's his first game. He's an unbelievable young guy, great talent. It was a frustrating night for him, but a lesson well learned, and he'll get better from here.”

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: “This was a great welcome-to-the-NBA game for him. …

Kevin Keegan Tributes Flowers Scarves St James' Park Newcastle United

A new Kevin Keegan tribute has been unveiled.

Newcastle United fans getting a chance to visit.

The special Kevin Keegan tribute will only be on show across 48 hours, a couple of days.

Entrance is free for Newcastle United fans (and indeed those who are not) but you need to book (free) tickets.

The club announcing on Thursday morning: ‘Newcastle United will place supporter tributes to Kevin Keegan on public display at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art later this month, giving fans and the wider community an opportunity to reflect on the life of a North East icon. Thousands of supporters paid tribute to the Magpies legend following his passing, leaving heartfelt messages, shirts, scarves and mementos outside St. James’ Park. The club’s opening Premier League fixture against Liverpool, another of Keegan’s former clubs, also provided an emotional opportunity for supporters to come together in remembrance.’

The window of opportunity to visit the special Kevin Keegan tribute is the weekend after next, the club detailing: ‘Now, those tributes will form a free public display at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art on Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November, offering visitors the chance to honour a figure whose influence on Newcastle United and the region spanned generations.’

Newcastle United explaining what the event will contain:

‘The display will feature tributes created by the club and supporters in memory of Kevin Keegan, including:

The centre-circle banner: The 17.5-metre banner, designed by fan group Wor Flags, using over 500 football shirts and handwritten tributes left outside St. James’ Park.

Feature Image: A statement photograph wall capturing the tributes shared by fans during the fixture against Liverpool in August.

Memorial film projection: Screening of Newcastle United’s commemorative film celebrating the legendary former player and manager.

Newcastle United staff and volunteers plus Baltic Crew will be on hand throughout the weekend to assist visitors and facilitate the experience.’

Newcastle United v Liverpool St James' Park Kevin Keegan Tributes

Phot by Jamie Smith via The Mag

Brad Miller is Newcastle United’s Chief Operating Officer:“The tributes left following Kevin Keegan’s passing touched millions around the world, with more than 52,000 fans uniting at St. James’ Park to pay their respects during our opening fixture against Liverpool. This display offers an opportunity for more fans and the wider public to view those tributes up close, reflect on Kevin’s extraordinary impact, and celebrate the legacy he leaves for generations of supporters. It also ensures that our fans’ heartfelt messages are carefully preserved, honouring a truly legendary figure.”

Kevin Keegan Tributes Flowers St James' Park Newcastle United

Photo by The Mag

Newcastle United giving these details of how to plan your visit to the Kevin Keegan tribute event and most importantly, get hold of the tickets before it is fully booked:

‘While the event is free to attend, tickets are required to manage capacity and ensure a meaningful experience for all visitors.

Dates: Saturday 31st October & Sunday 1st November

Opening Times: 10.00am – 6.00pm daily (last entry 5.00pm)

Location: Level 1, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead

Tickets: Bookable free of charge from 10am, Thursday 22 October via www.baltic.art/keegan‘

Sounds like one not to be missed.

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Yaxel Lendeborg's odds of winning the 2026-27 NBA Rookie of the Year have climbed from 6.7% to 11.2% over the past 24 hours on Polymarket, a 4.5-point move.

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Yaxel Lendeborg's odds of winning the 2026-27 NBA …

Benjamin Royer: I asked Lakers center Walker Kessler about what he saw that made him so comfortable out there tonight. “I mean, it's not what I saw. It's what Luka and AR and all the other guys saw, throwing me the ball, honestly,” he said, adding that his mentality is focused on dunking.”

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: Mean, it's not what I saw. It's what Luka and AR and …

Benjamin Royer: Lakers star Luka Dončić on Walker Kessler’s debut (26 pts on 12-12 shooting, to go with nine rebounds and two blocks) in the season-opening victory over the Golden State Warriors. “Very impressive game from him.” More from Luka on his new franchise center:

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NBA Trade Machine: On HoopsMatic over the past 24 hours, Karl-Anthony Towns showed up in 3.6% of all trades built. Among those, he was most often sent to Houston (18.5%), Detroit (9.3%), and Denver (7.4%), and the return pieces that came up most often were Jabari Smith (16.7%), Alperen Sengun (13.0%), and Reed Sheppard (11.1%).

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This article originally appeared on Hoops Hype: 24 hours, Karl-Anthony Towns showed up in 3.6% of all …

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Desmond Bane pinpoints where Magic got ‘killed’ by Hawks appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Orlando Magicfell short against the Atlanta Hawks, 132-125, in their season opener at Kia Center on Wednesday, spoiling the debut of coach Sean Sweeney.

The Magic were outplayed in crunch time, giving up back-to-back three-pointers to Nickeil Alexander-Walker in the last two minutes. Orlando lost to Atlanta for the sixth straight time.

After the game, Desmond Bane acknowledged that they shot themselves in the foot, as reported by Sentinel Sports’ Jason Beede.

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“I don’t think the offense was really the problem. We turned the ball over a little bit too much. They killed us on the rebounds. (They) got a lot of offensive rebounds and got to the free-throw line a lot. Those are two things that we’ve talked about since day one. So those are things that we can definitely clean up,” said Bane.

He had 18 points, five rebounds, and three assists. He struggled from the field, shooting 5-of-15, including 3-of-10 from long distance.

The Hawks only had two more rebounds than the Magic. They also had three fewer free throws. Orlando gave up 24 points off 21 turnovers.

Paolo Banchero led the Magic with 35 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists. Franz Wagner added 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while Wendell Carter Jr. tallied 22 points and seven rebounds.

The Magic are trying to establish a new identity in Sweeney’s first year. They have qualified for the playoffs for the last three seasons, but they have not made it past the first round.

Bane, Banchero, Wagner, Carter, Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black, and Nikola Vucevic will be tasked with carrying the team.

Orlando will host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Related: Magic star Paolo Banchero speaks up on tense confrontation with Jalen Johnson

Related: NBA stars Paolo Banchero, Jalen Johnson have to be seperated after tense end to Hawks-Magic

The most embarrassing Champions League defeats for English clubs after Manchester United’s Como collapse

Manchester United suffered a European embarrassment at Como in the Champions League this week.

The Italian outfit ran out 4-1 winners at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia, as the dominant debutants piled more pressure on Michael Carrick's men.

Following a humbling result, we've looked at some of the most embarrassingChampions League defeats suffered by Premier League sides.

Spartak Moscow 4-1 Arsenal - 2000/01 season

Arsenal often struggled when making the trip to Eastern Europe in their first Champions League campaigns.

The 2000/01 season saw Arsenal battered twice during trips to the region, losing to Shakhtar Donestk in the first group stage, before opening the second group stage with a big defeat in Moscow.

The Gunners opened the scoring inside two minutes, but struggled in the freezing conditions. Marcao's double turned the game around, before further goals from Yegor Titov and Luis Robson saw Spartak stun the Premier League side.

Maccabi Haifa 3-0 Manchester United - 2002/03 season

Maccabi Haifa secured the most impressive result in their history after humbling a second-string Manchester United side in 2002/03.

Sir Alex Ferguson opted to rotate his team with group stage progress assured, though the side still featured big names in Gary Neville, Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Diego Forlan.

Played in Cyprus due to UEFA's ban on matches in Israel, Maccabi stunned their visitors. Yaniv Katan and Raimondas Zutautas each scored fine goals before future Premier League favourite Yakubu sealed success from the spot.

It took Maccabi another20 years to record their next Champions League win.

Arsenal 1-5 Bayern Munich - 2016/17 season

Arsenal's gradual decline during Arsene Wenger's latter years reached a nadir during a home humiliation by Bayern Munich in 2017.

The Gunners had been beaten 5-1 in Germany during the first leg, and an attempt to restore a semblance of respectability did not go as planned. Arsenal did lead through Theo Walcott, but Laurent Kosielny's red card played its part in a collapse.

The Germans were ruthless to run out 10-2 winners on aggregate, the heaviest two-legged Champions League defeat that a Premier League side has ever suffered.

Tottenham Hotspur 2-7 Bayern Munich - 2019/20 season

Bayern Munich have made a habit of inflicting painful defeats on English opponents, particularly those who reside in North London.

The German champions ran riot atTottenham Hotspur during the 2019/20 season, scoring seven times against the previous season's Champions League runners-up.

Ex-Arsenal man Serge Gnabry haunted his former rivals with four goals, as a shellshocked Spurs capitulated under the lights.

Bayern went on to be crowned European champions, with this an ominous early warning to their challengers.

Barcelona 7-2 Newcastle United - 2025/26 season

Newcastle were seconds from a first-leg win during their last-16 clash with Barcelona, as nostalgic memories of Faustino Asprilla's downing of the same opponents swept around St James'.

The feeling was much, much different in the return.

The Magpies went toe-to-toe during a five-goal first half that ended with Barcelona one goal ahead, but the second-half saw the Spaniards storm through.

Four unanswered goals saw Eddie Howe's side hit for seven.

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 28: Zach Charbonnet #26 of the Seattle Seahawks carries the ball for yardage during the game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on December 28, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) GettySANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 03: Zach Charbonnet #26 celebrates with Cooper Kupp #10 of the Seattle Seahawks after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of a game at Levi's Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) GettySANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 03: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers hands the ball off to Zach Charbonnet #26 during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Raymond James Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) Getty

The Seattle Seahawks received one of their most encouraging injury updates of the season on Wednesday, October 21.

Running back Zach Charbonnet was listed as a full participant on Seattle’s first injury report ahead of its Week 7 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs, marking another significant step in his recovery from a torn ACL.

Charbonnet has yet to play this season after suffering the injury during Seattle’s postseason victory over the San Francisco 49ers in January. His return now appears closer than ever, with the Seahawks preparing for a Sunday Night Football showdown against undefeated Kansas City.

But before Charbonnet can make his season debut, Seattle must make an important roster decision.

GettySANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: Zach Charbonnet #26 celebrates with Cooper Kupp #10 of the Seattle Seahawks after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the first quarter of a game at Levi’s Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) Zach Charbonnet Injury Update Comes Before Critical Seahawks Deadline

The Seahawks opened Charbonnet’s 21-day practice window on October 1, allowing him to resume football activities while remaining on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.

That window reaches its conclusion on Thursday, October 22, meaning Seattle must activate Charbonnet to its 53-man roster or leave him on the PUP list for the remainder of the season.

Wednesday’s full-participation designation is particularly encouraging because Charbonnet had previously been limited as the Seahawks gradually increased his workload.

Head coach Mike Macdonald had already indicated that the running back might return against Kansas City.

“Zach is going to have a full week’s worth of reps, so that’s exciting, and there’s a possibility that you could see him on Sunday in some capacity, so that’s exciting,” Macdonald said during his October 19 press conference, according to the team’s official website.

The latest injury report strengthens the case for Charbonnet’s availability, although full participation does not guarantee that he will play Sunday.

GettySANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: Bryce Young #9 of the Carolina Panthers hands the ball off to Zach Charbonnet #26 during the third quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during a game at Raymond James Stadium on January 03, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) Seahawks Could Get Much-Needed Help at Running Back Against Chiefs

Charbonnet’s potential return comes at an important time for Seattle’s rushing attack.

Rookie running back Jadarian Price remains on injured reserve after suffering a chest injury, leaving the Seahawks to rely heavily on Emanuel Wilson and George Holani.

Charbonnet would bring a proven scoring threat to that rotation.

During the 2025 regular season, the former UCLA standout recorded 730 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 184 carries across 16 games. He has scored 20 rushing touchdowns over his last two regular seasons.

Those numbers help explain why Seattle could benefit from having him available near the goal line, especially as the offense searches for more consistency.

However, Macdonald’s suggestion that Charbonnet might play “in some capacity” leaves open the possibility of a managed workload in his first game back from a significant knee injury.

The Seahawks also received a potentially encouraging development along the offensive line, with starting right guard Anthony Bradford returning to practice this week. Bradford was listed as limited Wednesday while working toward his own return from injured reserve.

Is Zach Charbonnet Playing Against the Chiefs?

Charbonnet has not officially been cleared to make his 2026 season debut against the Kansas City Chiefs, but Wednesday’s full-participation designation is a positive sign.

The Seahawks must first activate him from the PUP list, and his availability for Sunday’s game will depend on the team’s decision and his continued progress.

Seattle hosts Kansas City on Sunday, October 25, on Sunday Night Football.

For a Seahawks offense missing one of its young running backs and preparing to face an undefeated opponent, getting Charbonnet back would provide a timely reinforcement.

Wednesday’s injury report brought him another step closer. The next development should be considerably more definitive: a roster move.

This article was originally published on HEAVY

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Jürgen Klopp picks Barcelona over Real Madrid ahead of El Clásico

Jürgen Klopp will be watching El Clásico when Barcelona face Real Madrid at the weekend, and the Germany coach believes the Catalan side currently have the edge over their historic rivals.

Speaking at half-time of Bayern Munich’s Champions League match against Arsenal, Klopp revealed that the clash between Spanish football’s two giants has been a constant throughout his life.

“Of course I’ll watch El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid. I’ve watched this game at every stage of my life,” Klopp said.

His allegiance, however, has not always been based on which team he considers the strongest. Klopp explained that he used to favour Barcelona because he disliked the aggressive defensive approach associated with Real Madrid players such as Pepe.

“In the past, I was more of a Barcelona supporter because I was against the actions of Pepe and other Madrid defenders,” he explained.

These days, Klopp takes a more straightforward approach when deciding which side he wants to see win.

“Today, I support the better team. And looking at things at the moment, that is probably Barcelona.”

The comments offer a glimpse into Klopp’s long-standing interest in one of football’s biggest rivalries. He will also be interested in watching Karim Adeyemi for Barcelona, who has definitely improved his form over the past few weeks.

Mbappe, Courtois react after Real Madrid 4-1 RB Leipzig: ‘We need to close the gap on Barcelona’

Kylian Mbappe has offered Vinicius Jr. a message of reassurance after the Brazilian endured a frustrating evening in Real Madrid’s 4-1 Champions League victory over Leipzig.

The Frenchman has insisted that his disappointment reflects his determination to perform better for the team and its supporters. 

Vinicius was substituted in the 70th minute and walked towards the bench with his head down, but Mbappe stressed that the forward should remain confident in his ability. 

Meanwhile, Thibaut Courtois highlighted the importance of his first-half saves and explained why Madrid must carry their defensive improvement into Sunday’s crucial El Clasico against Barcelona.

Mbappe explains why Vinicius should stay confident

Vinicius did not produce his best performance against Leipzig and was replaced by Yan Diomande as Madrid managed the closing stages of the match. 

Rather than viewing his teammate’s visible frustration as a concern, Mbappe suggested it demonstrated how much the Brazilian wanted to contribute.

“It’s fine. It’s fine that Vinícius is feeling down because he wants to give so much to the team and the fans. 

“He needs to stay calm and be proud of who he is. He’s a great player with immense quality,” Mbappe told Movistar Plus (h/t Mundo Deportivo).

The French forward also turned the focus towards his own standards, acknowledging that he expects more from himself despite Madrid’s convincing victory.

Mbappe expressed his delight after win over RB Leipzig. (Photo by Diego Souto/Getty Images)

“I’m fine. I can do more. I’m one of those players who always have to push themselves further. It’s never enough for a player like me,” he explained.

With three Champions League victories secured, Mbappe also emphasised the importance of collecting enough points to finish in the competition’s top eight.

“We know that every point is important to make it into the top eight. We have to win as many matches as possible; we’ve won three.”

Courtois reveals why his Leipzig saves mattered

Real Madrid’s four-goal victory did not tell the whole story of the opening half. 

Courtois was called into action twice with the score still goalless, and his interventions helped prevent Leipzig from gaining an advantage before the Spanish side took control.

“I feel great, I’m happy, and I’m working well. 

“Two important saves to keep a clean sheet at that stage and go into half-time ahead – that was important because the match can get away from you if you’re behind,” said the goalkeeper.

The goalkeeper also explained how Real Madrid responded to the coaching staff’s half-time instructions, pointing to greater defensive intensity and the depth available across the squad.

“Scoring first was important, and at half-time the manager told us to improve defensively. We improved, defended with more intensity – a good win. 

Courtois made some crucial saves against Leipzig. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“The team is in great shape; we’re seeing that we can count on almost the entire squad. 

“There’s a lot of competition, and we’re all making each other better. 

“Now we have four away games, which is more difficult and we’re finding it tough, but we hope to go into the international break with four wins,” he said.

Real Madrid shift their attention to Barcelona

With the European fixture completed, Mbappe confirmed that the squad had deliberately avoided looking ahead to Barcelona before facing Leipzig. 

The Frenchman can now turn his attention to a Clasico that could have important consequences for Madrid’s position in the La Liga title race.

“We’ve been focusing solely on today’s match. We can think about what happens on Sunday now. Before, the team wasn’t thinking about Sunday’s match.”

Courtois was equally direct about the challenge awaiting Madrid, stressing that closing the gap on Barcelona requires a victory and a disciplined defensive performance.

“We need to close the gap on them, and that can only be done by winning. We’re going into the match with confidence and hopefully we’ll defend well so we don’t concede.”

Novak Djokovic has made no secret of his desire to return to the ATP Finals this year.

And, his actions have certainly matched his words, having rather surprisingly added another event to his calendar as the end of the season draws closer, this time in Basel.

The Serbian’s decision to accept a late wildcard has therefore afforded him two final opportunities to secure his spot in the ATP Tour’s premier end-of-season showdown, but he still has to achieve some impressive results to do so.

Not only that, but technically, it remains out of his hands. He can do his very best, but if those above him match, outperform, or even just slightly underperform in relation to Novak Djokovic, they will still qualify.

With that in mind, here’s exactly what the 24-time Grand Slam champion must do if he is to play at the ATP Finals this year.

The exact results Novak Djokovic needs to qualify for the ATP Finals

Firstly, it’s worth highlighting how many points the 39-year-old actually has on offer after taking a wildcard in Basel.

Currently, Rafael Jodar is ninth in the ATP Live Race on 3,159 points, with Djokovic 11th on 2,840. He is just 40 points behind Alex de Miñaur in 10th, and about 319 points behind Jodar.

• Basel: first-round loss 0, R16 50, QF 100, SF 200, final 330, title 500.

• Paris Masters: first round 10, second round 50, third round 100, QF 200, SF 400, final 650, title 1,000

This means that, with back-to-back titles, he could soar past the vast majority of the competition and render this debate useless.

However, we are assuming that Djokovic, whilst capable of the unthinkable, likely won’t achieve such success.

Instead, there are a handful of alternative finishes that could secure his qualification, with the first assuming that nobody around him scores any points between now and the end of the campaign. Obviously, that is almost impossible, but it offers important context to see what the minimum he needs at this stage.

There are three minimum routes: reach the Basel final, and Paris doesn’t matter; reach a Basel semi-final plus a Paris quarter-final; reach a Paris semi-final, Basel doesn’t matter.

Jodar will not stand still though, and how he performs will only increase the demands on Djokovic.

However, just reaching the final in Basel would change everything: With a Basel final (330 points), Djokovic only has to match Jodar’s Paris round, up to the semi-finals. With the Basel title (500), he’s safe unless Jodar reaches the quarter-finals or better.

Basel ↓ / Paris →R1 (10)R2 (50)R3 (100)QF (200)SF (400)F (650)W (1000)Out R1 (0)2,8502,8902,9403,0403,2403,4903,840R16 (50)2,9002,9402,9903,0903,2903,5403,890QF (100)2,9502,9903,0403,1403,3403,5903,940SF (200)3,0503,0903,1403,2403,4403,6904,040Final (330)3,1803,2203,2703,3703,5703,8204,170Title (500)3,3503,3903,4403,5403,7403,9904,340Djokovic’s final total for each combination, based on his competitors not playing

Overperformance in any of these events could see the legendary veteran fly past any number of players vying for these final few spots, with the 20-year-old just his closest rival right now.

Whatever happens, Djokovic will need deep runs in both of his final two events of the year just to stand a chance. Even then, it might not be enough.

AC Milan’s last visit to the south coast they prepare for Bournemouth clash

AC Milan head to Bournemouth on Thursday in the Europa League, 18 years on from their last visit to the South Coast.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side travelled to Portsmouth in November 2008 to face off against Pompey in a UEFA Cup clash.

Portsmouth were massive underdogs with a team full of dependable but not flashy Premier League journeymen. David James, Younes Kaboul, Sylvain Distin, Papa Bouba Diop, Peter Crouch and Kanu all started.

Even though they boasted a star-studded line-up that included Gennaro Gattuso, Kaká, Filippo Inzaghi and Andrey Shevchenko, Milan shockingly fell behind at Fratton Park.

Managed by Tony Adams, Pompey kept the tie scoreless until half-time. Following the interval, they amazingly scored twice to stun the Rossoneri.

Firstly, Kaboul got on the end of Glenn Johnson’s cross to head past Dida in front of a raucous Fratton End.

Soon after, Kanu doubled the hosts’ advantage when he finished from close range.

Ancelotti had just assembled his Avengers to rescue the tie when Kanu scored, sending Clarence Seedorf, Alexandre Pato and Ronaldinho on in between Portsmouth’s first and second strike.

Ultimately, Milan were able to claw back a draw. Ronaldinho curled a free-kick past David James before Inzaghi broke Pompey hearts by poking home in stoppage time.  

Yet, the tie is still remembered as a famous night at Fratton Park with Ronaldinho labelling it as one of the ‘best atmospheres’ he played in.

Bournemouth will be hoping to go one better than their South Coast rivals on Thursday by getting the win, but Ruben Amorim’s team will prove a stern test after a fine start to the season.

Stefanos Tsitsipas is into the quarterfinals of the Almaty Open after an “odd” victory over Mikhail Kukushkin.

The Greek star made the claim immediately after the match because it was his opponent’s final appearance before retiring. Home favourite Kukushkin has decided to call time on his career at the Almaty Open, with his loss to Tsitsipas representing his final match.

Seventh seed Tsitsipas beat the 38-year-old 6-1, 6-2, having overcome Aleksandar Kovacevic in his opening match of the ATP 250 event in Kazakhstan. He now meets James Duckworth in the quarterfinals, ahead of which he has discussed what it was like to play in Kukushkin’s farewell.

Stefanos Tsitsipas wins ‘odd’ Almaty Open match vs Mikhail Kukushkin

Tsitsipas spoke on court after the win, where he was asked if he was aware beforehand that it would be his opponent’s last match. He replied: “Yes, I was aware. It’s a very eerie, odd feeling to be playing someone that’s going to play his last career match. So it’s not a situation that you want to find yourself too often in. It hits you a little bit harder.

“I’ve got to say, you feel for your opponent a little bit more than you usually are in any type of scenario or match. It’s a difficult thing knowing that you were coming close to victory in probably the last few points of his career. What can I say? This is his moment. This day is entirely dedicated for him.”

And looking forward to his quarterfinal in Almaty, Tsitsipas said: “Well, I’ve got to be ready. He can bring a big game out on the court. I’ve been observing him a little bit in the last couple of days that he’s playing. He’s someone that can play really good on this type of surface, indoor hardcourt.

“So I’m hoping to be fit. I’m hoping to be healthy. And competing obviously at my highest level is the objective. And that’s what I’m striving and aiming for in that particular occasion. And I really want to bring my A-game against a respectful opponent like him.”

READ MORE:Stefanos Tsitsipas suggests if he still believes he can win a Grand Slam title before he retires

It will be the second career meeting between the Greek ace and the Australian, who has just knocked out second seed Luciano Darderi in Almaty. Tsitsipas won their maiden match, winning their 2018 Washington last 16 clash 6-3, 6-4.

Meanwhile, Kukushkin will retire with one ATP title to his name, which arrived at St. Petersburg in 2010. He once climbed as high as 39 in the world rankings, and was a regular for his nation at the Davis Cup. Tsitsipas showed his appreciation for his rival right after the 62-minute win, asking him to sign a shirt for his fitness coach’s son.

Jose Mourinho talks Vinicius, Valverde, Camavinga, Bernardo after Real Madrid 4-1 RB Leipzig

Real Madrid maintained their post-international break winning run as they faced RB Leipzig in their latest UEFA Champions League game at the Santiago Bernabeu. After yet another underwhelming first half, the Merengues won this game 4-1, with goals from Bernardo Silva, Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe, and Yan Diomande.

As MARCA has reported, Jose Mourinho addressed the press after this game and talked about several aspects of his team’s performance in this game.

Vinicius Junior was once again significantly below his expected level in this match and his sadness was quite visible as he left the bench right after the full-time whistle. On the contrary, the Portuguese coach assured that he was actually happy for the Brazilian:

“It’s something very personal. I think you can have your own perception, but I believe only he can tell you how he feels. As a coach, I’m happy with what he has done. People always expect more from Vini, for him to be decisive, but I liked his performance.

He had more defensive responsibility than the other attackers, and he tracked back very well. It wasn’t a change because I wasn’t happy with him. It was because I have a strong bench and could bring on someone who could offer different things. You have to get used to me taking off a player who isn’t playing badly and replacing him with someone who can give me something different.”

The Real Madrid coach asked the fans to put their support behind the winger:

“Yes, he needs everyone’s support. He was booed away from home, and that can be motivating, but when it happens at your own ground, it hurts.”

Mourinho was not too revealing when asked about Fede Valverde’s role in El Clasico:

“I’m not talking about Sunday. You can ask me again on Saturday, but I won’t tell you whether he’ll play at right-back again. It wasn’t an easy match, and the 4-1 scoreline doesn’t reflect the first half. Fede played well.”

The Portuguese coach went on to comment on several other lineup decisions:

“He [Camavinga] had a great game. Obviously, against Sevilla, Arda and Tchouaméni did a good job in that area. I made too many changes, but I had confidence in the players because of what they show me. I really like Brahim every time he’s on the pitch. We’re back to the question of meritocracy. Perhaps Amazon could come up with something to measure that! Having Fede at right-back is frustrating for me because it means leaving two right-backs out.”

The Real Madrid coach once again expressed his displeasure at referees for the next match being revealed too early:

“This is completely out of context, but the appointment is officially announced 24 hours before the match. I don’t like this kind of information coming out now. I’m not referring to them personally.”

Despite the improved form, Mourinho was clear that the team is still not where he wants them to be:

“Nothing is exactly where I want it to be, but we’re doing some things better now than before. Today, there was a goal I didn’t like, because it left the match open for us to win. The goal we conceded today came from a situation in which the opponent was comfortable, and I don’t like that.”

The Portuguese coach was also full of praise for his compatriot, Bernardo Silva:

“He’s a great player and had a great game. Another player who hadn’t started for several matches. When the team has a player like him or Güler in midfield, we can play out more effectively and transition more quickly to get the ball to the attackers.

I’m very happy. As I said earlier, Tchouaméni and Arda had outstanding games against Sevilla, and changing them for a match we had to win was a difficult decision. I think we’ll need a lot of points in this phase of the Champions League to finish in the top eight, so we have to win as many matches as possible.”

When asked if Thibaut Courtois is the best goalkeeper he has managed, the Real Madrid coach refrained from taking such a position:

“I’ve never done that. I’ve never said anything like that about my players. I’m often asked to name my best XI from my 20 years as a coach. But what I can say is that Petr Čech, the best goalkeeper in Premier League history, was playing when Courtois arrived at around 20 years of age, yet Courtois played. And we won the Premier League with Courtois in goal. Čech, the best of them all, played only in the cup competitions.

“If I say this, Júlio César will call me in two minutes and say, ‘Oh, Courtois is the best, but you won the Champions League with me.’ He’ll call me in two minutes, I’m sure. I’ve always had this respect for my former players. But, you know… this guy is…”

As Jose Mourinho mentioned, although the scoreline reflects otherwise, this was still quite a difficult game for Real Madrid. However, the Merengues have an even bigger challenge awaiting them, as they face an FC Barcelona side that has not lost in La Liga so far this season, and hopefully, Los Blancos will rise to the challenge in that game as well.