Mateo Kovačić is confirmed to be sidelined for at least one month.
Manchester City continues to battle an injury crisis amid Pep Guardiola’s worst losing streak as a manager. Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur, Guardiola confirmed that Mateo Kovačić will be sidelined for up to a month after sustaining an injury during Croatia’s 1-1 draw against Portugal. The absence of Kovačić, who has been vital in the midfield following Rodri’s season-ending knee injury, adds to City’s woes after four consecutive defeats. Kovačić had started seven of City’s last ten matches, scoring three goals, including a brace in a 3-2 win over Fulham. His injury could see him miss eight crucial fixtures before Christmas. Despite the setbacks, Guardiola shared positive news with John Stones and Manuel Akanji fit to play, while Nathan Aké is nearing a return. City will hope these defensive reinforcements help steady their faltering campaign.
🚨⚠️ Mateo Kovacić has suffered an injury and will be out for 3/4 weeks, Pep Guardiola confirms. pic.twitter.com/yN9qCSwQ37
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 22, 2024
Inter Miami set to appoint Javier Mascherano as their new head coach.
Following Gerardo “Tata” Martino’s exit due to personal reasons, Javier Mascherano has been identified as the next candidate to become the new head coach of Inter Miami. Sources confirm that contract negotiations are nearing completion, with Mascherano leaving his role as Argentina’s U23 manager to lead Lionel Messi and the Herons for the 2025 season. Mascherano, who played alongside Messi at Barcelona and for Argentina, faces his first senior club management role. His tenure with Argentina’s U23 team included a 2024 Olympics quarter final exit, drawing criticism after falling to eventual champions France. Martino departs following Miami’s disappointing playoff upset against Atlanta United, despite a record-breaking regular season. Mascherano will inherit a veteran-filled roster, including Messi, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, with Luis Suárez’s future still undecided. His challenge will be to guide Miami to its first-ever MLS Cup victory.
🚨 JUST IN: Javier Mascherano is the new coach of Inter Miami! @CLMerlo 🦩🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/qogGUHvHjP
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) November 22, 2024
PL clubs approve changes to the Associated Party Transaction rules.
A Premier League stakeholder meeting which was held on Friday saw clubs secure a key victory in its regulatory battle with Manchester City as they voted 16-4 to amend associated party transaction (APT) rules. The changes aim to prevent clubs from benefiting from commercial deals with related parties that are not at fair market value, safeguarding Financial Stability and competitive balance. City, Newcastle, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest opposed the changes during the shareholders’ meeting, which followed weeks of contentious lobbying. The amendments address concerns raised by a tribunal that deemed certain aspects of the previous rules, including interest-free shareholder loans, unlawful. While the vote does not directly impact City’s ongoing tribunal over 130 alleged rule breaches, it signals the clubs’ willingness to uphold stricter financial regulations. Notably, Chelsea and Wolves, who previously opposed changes, supported the new rules. Manchester United’s CEO, Omar Berrada emphasized the need to move past the acrimony.
🚨 Premier League APT changes approved at shareholders meeting 🚨 @TheAthleticFChttps://t.co/5NS46jsg6L pic.twitter.com/hxRvivxZzb
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) November 22, 2024
Harry Kane’s hattrick helps Bayern secure a 3-0 win over willful Augsburg.
Bayern Munich extended their Bundesliga lead to eight points with a 3-0 victory over Augsburg on Friday, courtesy of a Harry Kane hat-trick. Despite dominating possession and registering 31 shots, Bayern faced frustration for much of the match as Augsburg’s goalkeeper, Nediljko Labrović, made several crucial saves, including denying Jamal Musiala six times. The breakthrough came in the 63rd minute when substitute Mads Pedersen’s handball gifted Bayern a penalty, which Kane converted emphatically. Augsburg posed little threat to Manuel Neuer’s goal, but their resistance ended in stoppage time. Kane struck again in the 93rd minute from the spot after Keven Schlotterbeck fouled him and was sent off for a second yellow card. Two minutes later, Kane completed his hat-trick with a composed finish from Leon Goretzka’s cross. Bayern now shift focus to hosting PSG in Tuesday’s Champions League clash.
FT: Bayern Munich 3-0 Augsburg.
ANOTHER VICTORY AND ANOTHER STEP CLOSER TO HARRY KANE'S FIRST EVER TROPHY! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/N7JS8t210s
— TheEuropeanLad (@TheEuropeanLad) November 22, 2024
Luka-less Dallas Mavericks defeats the Nuggets despite Jokić’s triple double.
The Dallas Mavericks edged out a 123-120 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Friday, overcoming a late-game scare and a dominant performance from Nikola Jokić in his return. Jokić, back after a three-game absence, recorded a triple-double with 33 points, 17 rebounds, and 10 assists, helping Denver erase a 24-point deficit. The Mavericks, missing Luka Dončić due to a sprained wrist, relied on Naji Marshall, who delivered a career-high 26 points off the bench, and P.J. Washington, who added 22 points and 13 rebounds. Kyrie Irving contributed 19 points, 13 of them during a pivotal second quarter that gave Dallas a 73-53 halftime lead. Despite Denver rallying to take a late 113-108 lead, Washington’s crucial plays in the final minute secured Dallas’ fourth straight win. This victory moves the Mavericks to 2-1 in the West’s Group C bracket, while Denver fell to 1-2.
MAVS SURVIVE IN DENVER WITHOUT LUKA 🔥
Nuggets couldn't get it done after coming all the way back from a 24-point deficit to make it a game. pic.twitter.com/tBiJSq3MUA
— ESPN (@espn) November 23, 2024