Paris Saint-Germain to meet Atalanta in first UEFA Champions League QF tonight WEDNESday, AUGUST 12, 2020 match starts 10pm doha time Mbappe may play, says PSG coach Tuchel DPA/AFP

Winger Kylian Mbappe could Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari president Nasser Al Khelaifi arrives at feature for Paris Saint-Germain the team hotel in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday, the eve of the UEFA in Wednesday’s Champions Champions League quarter-final match against Atalanta.(AFP) League quarter-final against Atalanta in Lisbon, coach Thomas Tuchel has suggested. “If he trains well and noth- Paris Saint-Ger- ing extraordinary happens main’s Brazilian he will be part of the team,” sporting director Tuchel told a virtual news con- Leonardo waits ference on Tuesday. for the start of The France star had suf- the team’s train- fered an ankle injury in the ing session at French cup final againstS t PSG’s injured coach Thomas Tuchel overlooks the team’s training the Luz Etienne in mid-July and was session at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on Tuesday. (AFP) in Lisbon, Portu- initially expected to miss the gal, on Tuesday. Lisbon mini-tournament. Defender Marquinhos said the announcement comes as (AFP) It remains however unclear they have prepared “in the best a huge boost to the French whether he would start the game possible way” even though “the champions as they aim to at the Estadio da Luz or come on situation remains special.” reach the semi-finals of Eu- as a substitute, if needed. The team arrived in Lisbon rope’s elite club competition. Should Mbappe not start earlier on Tuesday after sev- Meanwhile, Tuchel refused that would put additional eral days of training on Portu- to rule midfield maestro Mar- pressure on but gal’s Algarve coast, and Tuchel co Verratti out of the rest of Tuchel said the Brazilian star warned it would take a big effort the competition, should PSG “is a player who likes big pres- to beat the debutants Atalanta go all the way. The final in Lis- sure and can handle it.” PSG who have impressed at home bon is scheduled for August 23 have only played the cup fi- and in Europe this season. with the semi-final on August nal and the League Cup final “Atalanta have a unique 18 if PSG qualify. Verratti is a week later since March as style. They press all over the currently out with a calf injury. the French league was first pitch and attack. They are dif- “We must be patient with stopped and then abandoned ficult to play.I t will be a tacti- Marco,” said the German. “Last because of the coronavirus. cal match,”Tuchel said. week he couldn’t run. He has “It is a very particular situ- “Our players will have to just started again but it is going ation for us. It was very im- Paris Saint-Germain’s French forward Kylian Mbappe during the team’s work hard and suffer. We can to be very tight for the semi- Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazilian defender Marquinhos during the press portant to win the two finals,” training session at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday, eve of win but it will be very difficult.” finals. But we will try everything conference at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on Tuesday. (UEFA-AFP) Tuchel said. the UEFA Champions League quarter-final match against Atalanta.(AFP) Whether he starts or not, like we have done with Kylian.” Is this Neymar’s time in the Champions League? AFP last 16, second leg in March. when they contrived to throw Mbappe a major doubt Lisbon That night Neymar scored away a 2-0 first-leg advantage. And how PSG -- in the week the opener in a 2-0 win as they Since then, the much they celebrate the 50th anni- Paris Saint-Germain have overturned a first-leg deficit. talked about move back to versary of the club’s founding once again been hit by a flood After the game, the Brazil- Barcelona has not happened -- need him as coach Thomas of injuries going into a crunch ian sat on a step high up in the and does not look likely to Tuchel has all sorts of selec- Champions League knock-out stands at the happen in the post-pandemic tion concerns elsewhere. tie, but this time Neymar is fit and cried tears of joy. market. His other superstar for- and seemingly ready to live After all, his first two sea- Wednesday’s game comes ward, Kylian Mbappe, is ex- up to his status as the world’s sons in Paris following his a day short of three years after pected to be on the bench at most expensive player. transfer from Barcelona were Neymar made his debut for best as he battles to shake off PSG face Atalanta in Lisbon marred by injuries at the worst PSG. an ankle injury suffered in on Wednesday in the first quar- possible moments. Aged 28, Neymar now fi- last month’s French Cup final ter-final of the ‘Final Eight’, First there was the broken nally seems settled in Paris against Saint-Etienne. after UEFA turned the latter metatarsal that saw him miss and is in fine shape to lead his Angel Di Maria is suspend- stages of Europe’s elite club the last 16, second leg against team against Atalanta as they ed, while the club’s all-time competition into something Real Madrid in 2018 as PSG look to progress to the Cham- record -scorer, Edinson akin to a World Cup after the were knocked out by the reign- pions League semi-finals for Cavani, left at the end of June PSG’s Brazilian forward Neymar (centre) laughs during training at the Luz stadium in Lisbon on Tuesday. (AFP) long coronavirus shutdown. ing champions. the first time since the Qatari when his contract expired. There will be no fans in the And history repeated it- takeover in 2011. Ironically, he has been tipped Verratti is out with a calf in- To top it all, Tuchel is on But as long as Neymar is Estadio da Luz, but the French self a year later, as another “I think I’m having my best to move to Lisbon to sign for jury and reports claim the Ital- crutches too, the German fit, SP G will remain hopeful champions coped just fine be- metatarsal injury forced him time since I came to Paris,” he Benfica. ian would possibly not even coach breaking his fifth meta- of progressing to a semi-final hind closed doors when they to miss the defeat against a said in an interview with the Perhaps most worryingly be fit for the final shouldS P G tarsal and spraining his left next week against Atletico Ma- beat Borussia in their mediocre Manchester United, club’s website last week. of all, midfield maestro Marco make it. ankle during a workout. drid or RB . Bayern chairman Rummenigge praises Champions League finals format DPA Where will the The road to the title Quarter-finals tournament be Bayern Munich chairman The biggest thrill for the 12 August: Atalanta - Paris Saint-Germain played? Karl-Heinz Rummenigge ex- fans is of course the 13 August: RB Leipzig - Atletico Madrid The venues for the pects a thrilling Champions knock-out system. The 14 August: Barcelona - Bayern Munich tournament are Benfica’s League conclusion in Lisbon better team normally 15 August: Man City - Olympique Lyon Estadio do Sport Lisboa e as the one-legged format adds prevails in two matches excitement to the elite event. Semi-finals Benfica (also known as the “The biggest thrill for the while anything is possible in 18 August: Atalanta/PSG–RB Leipzig/Atletico Madrid Estadio da Luz), which will fans is of course the knock-out one knock-out game. 19 August: Barcelona/Bayern–Man City/ Lyon host the final, and the Estadio Jose Alvalade from system. The better team nor- – Karl-Heinz Rummenigge Final: 23 August mally prevails in two matches local rivals Sporting. while anything is possible in one knock-out game,” Rum- UEFA president Aleksand- menigge said on Tuesday in er Ceferin has said the format Munich. would not be used again but : A total of 359 goals have : Five substitutions are allowed per “The format is the one we Rummenigge - whose club been scored in the 112 team in each match, as was the know from the World Cup. It play Barcelona on Friday in NUMBERS 359 (of 119) matches so far, 5 case in the recently ended is like a European club cham- Lisbon - wouldn’t want to rule producing an average of 3.21 goals per game season. pionship. The best European it out in a future reform of GAME at a rate of one every 29 minutes. top teams are facing each oth- the elite event from 2024 on- : Bayern striker er.” Owing to the coronavirus wards. : Bayern have set two new is the leading scorer in the crisis, the eight quarter-final- “I don’t think we need a records this term, becoming 13 champions League this season with ists are gathering in Lisbon to bigger group stage. That is not 31 the first team to win each of their 13 goals. He is followed by Erling Haaland play out the tournament until something that thrills the fans. first eight games in the competition, and (10), who has already been eliminated with August 23 in a one-legged for- We must see that we get more scoring an unprecedented 31 times in the , and Manchester City’s mat instead of home and away spice out of the knock-out process. Gabriel Jesus (6). legs until the final. rounds,” Rummenigge said. Sports Wednesday, August 12, 2020 13 Lisbon opens its arms to ‘bizarre’ Champions League finale

AFP according to the Lisbon region Yet Lisbon police still plan Lisbon police chief, Paulo Pereira. to deploy as many officers on A study conducted by the game days as they would if Football supporters would Portuguese Institute of Mar- supporters were attending. usually flock in huge numbers keting Administration has es- Portugal, with its popula- to the city hosting the finale timated that a total of 16,000 tion of just over 10 million, of the Champions League, but fans could come to the city successfully hosted the 2004 this time it is set to be a dif- even though none are allowed European Championship. ferent experience for fans who into games. The Estadio da Luz was the have decided to come to Lisbon That is despite British venue for the 2014 Champions for the ‘Final Eight’ despite the tourists being advised not to League final between Real Ma- coronavirus pandemic. travel to Portugal this holiday drid and Atletico Madrid while For the first time, as an ex- season. Pep Guardiola’s Man- large numbers of foreign fans ceptional measure because of chester City are the one Eng- attended the UEFA Nations the health crisis, all matches lish representative involved in League finals in Porto and from the quarter-finals on- the ‘Final Eight’. Guimaraes in the north of the wards of the world’s rich- country last year. est and most glamorous club ‘No exception’ to However, restrictions are competition are being played restrictions currently in place around the as one-off ties in the same city. Daniel Sa of IPAM told country as part of efforts to They are all taking place AFP that more than 5,000 stop the spread of coronavirus. behind closed doors and with people could gather in the Those restrictions are es- strict health guidelines in city for the final, which is pecially strict in and around place as Europe faces a steady scheduled for August 23 at Lisbon, where cases of COV- rise in cases of COVID-19. Benfica’s Estadio da Luz, ID-19 have been most preva- Yet that has not stopped where the players’ voices lent since Portugal came out of some fans from making the trip will echo around the empty lockdown in May. to the banks of the River Tagus 65,000-capacity venue. That includes a ban on to take in the atmosphere. However, Sa described gatherings of more than 10 “This is the most impor- that as a “conservative” esti- people, compared to 20 people tant match of our season,” An- mate and believes the final fig- in the rest of the country. drea, a 27-year-old Atalanta ure will be higher thanks to the Alcohol consumption fan from Bergamo who has “improvement of the health in public is banned, while come for his team’s quarter- situation in Lisbon in recent shops and cafes must close final against Paris Saint-Ger- weeks or the increase in the at 8pm , the time Champions main, tells AFP. Football fans take pictures next to the Eusebio statue in front of Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday. (AFP) number of flights to Lisbon”. League ‘Final Eight’ matches He is in Lisbon with two On the basis of regular will kick off. friends. With spectators The city seems empty and the Lisbon “by chance”, on holiday shirt, “but people have chant- not given an estimation of the briefings with police in the “The sporting context will barred, they plan to watch bars close early,” he said. with his parents. ed ‘Come on Paris’ at me in the number of foreign fans who clubs’ home countries, Portu- not allow for an exception to the match in a bar near the Meanwhile, 16-year-old “I don’t see any Champi- street. I think there are sup- could come to the capital but guese authorities are not ex- the rules in place,” warned stadium. Paris Saint-Germain support- ons League atmosphere,” he porters here.” officers will make themselves pecting any organised trips by Pereira, of the Lisbon police “The atmosphere is bizarre. er Mathieu finds himself in says, wearing a PSG replica Portuguese police have “highly visible” on the streets, groups of supporters. force, on Tuesday.

UEFA Champions League quarter-finals guide ‘Courage to dare’ Atalanta shoulder Italian hopes What to expect in each tie in the ‘Final Eight’: from a city of about 100,000 people and not the big team of a going 11 games unbeaten since La Liga’s capital. But we know where we return to seal third place. In total, they are are going and what we want. undefeated in 18 matches dating back to the “We’ve learned along the start of February. way, from the first match in the RB Leipzig are appearing in the Cham- Champions League, when we pions League knockout phase for the first conceded four against Dinamo time, but the club’s ambitions suffered a Zagreb. We raised the level and substantial blow following the sale of top now they’re asking us for the scorer to Chelsea. Champions League. Achieving The Germans swept 2019 runners-up Tot- this goal is priceless.” tenham aside in the previous round although coach must now find a ‘Beyond optimism’ way to replace the 34-goal void left behind Atalanta’s transformation into by Werner. Italian title contenders, with two third-place finishes in as many Barcelona v Bayern (Estadio da Luz, Friday seasons, has been overseen by 10pm Doha time) ski the club’s billionaire owner An- These are the only dow an w tonio Percassi, who played as a two former European e L defender for the club. Paris Saint-Germain’s forward Neymar. (AFP) champions left in t r e The 67-year-old took over the competition, b o

as president in 2010 and work- Atalanta v PSG (Estadio da Luz, Wednesday with five titles R ing with his two sons he has 10pm Doha time) each, making lifted the club to new heights. On paper, Paris Saint-Germain should beat this the tie of the Atalanta’s Italian goalkeeper Marco Sportiello (centre) warms up with teammates at the Luz stadium in “It was not easy, but the Atalanta. After all, Neymar’s annual salary of round. Lisbon on Tuesday, on the eve of UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash against PSG.(AFP) last three years have gone be- around 36 million euros ($42.5m) is believed to Barcelona beat yond the most optimistic fore- be equivalent to Atalanta’s entire wage bill. Bayern when the sides AFP competitions, including five in lanta’s strength has been the casts,” said Percassi. However, PSG have yet to convince at the last met in the semi-finals Milan the Champions League. number of players who have “It’s our story, that of the business end of the Champions League since in 2015, but this time a repeat “We miss Ilicic very much,” contributed to their all-com- entire ‘Atalantina’ family.” the Qatari takeover of the club nearly a decade of the outcome when the teams clashed in the Atalanta take on Paris said coach Gian Piero Gasp- petitions tally of 118 goals. Italy coach Roberto Man- ago and have not been beyond the quarter- 2013 semis somehow seems more likely. Saint-Germain in the Cham- erini. “It was his season. Until Colombians Duvan Zapata cini believes Atalanta have finals in that time. Then Bayern ran riot, winning 7-0 on aggre- pions League quarter-finalson February, he was the most deci- and Luis Muriel have scored 19 transformed the Italian game. Indeed, they had not won a knock-out tie in gate. They come to Lisbon fresh from complet- Wednesday with the tourna- sive player in our forward line.” each in total, with Mario Pasal- “They have a modern spir- four years before eliminating Borussia Dort- ing a German league and cup double and having ment debutants the surprise The 32-year-old Slovenian ic netting 11, mercurial Papu it and principles – courage to mund in the last 16 in March, just before the won their last 18 games in a row. standard bearers for Italian was on form until the coro- Gomez eight and Ruslan Ma- dare, attacking style, search coronavirus pandemic forced football around In Robert Lewandowski they have Europe’s football in Lisbon. navirus engulfed Italy and in linovskyi nine. for dominance beyond the re- the world to stop. most fearsome striker -- he has scored 53 goals Serie A champions Juven- particular the team’s home And the unpredictable na- sult,” Mancini told Gazzetta They also have major selection issues here, this season, including 13 in the Champions tus and Napoli were felled in the city Bergamo, where at one ture of the season has given Dello Sport. with midfield maestro Marco Verratti injured, An- League, more than anyone else. last 16, leaving Atalanta to carry point the army was called in to ‘La Dea’ (The Goddess) reason “The top clubs in Europe gel Di Maria suspended and Kylian Mbappe not Barcelona of course have , the nation’s hopes of a first ma- take away coffins because local to dream despite the club hav- all play with this mentality, but expected to start because of an ankle problem. whose own tally of 31 goals is not . jor European trophy since Inter morgues could not cope with ing won just one major trophy, things are changing in Italy That piles more pressure on Neymar, while The Argentine is 33 now yet still the best Milan’s 2010 triumph. the number of virus deaths. the 1963 Italian Cup, in its 112- too, many coaches are more Atalanta come with the pressure off and the player on the planet. But questions remain PSG will not have superstar Illcic was overwhelmed year history. daring today, also thanks to determination to win for their home city of about the quality of those around him, and Kylian Mbappe available, but by personal and psychologi- “Atalanta belongs to the Atalanta. They have shown Bergamo, which suffered the full devastating coach Quique Setien is under huge pressure Atalanta look set to be with- cal difficulties and has been city and you feel part of this,” that a certain type of football, impact of the coronavirus more than just about after the Catalans lost out to Real Madrid for out top scorer Josip Ilicic, who sidelined for the team’s final said captain Gomez. as well as being beautiful, anywhere in Europe. the Spanish title. found the net 21 times in all games of the season. But Ata- “We know we’re a team reaps results.” This is their first ever Champions League campaign, but they have just finished third in Man City v Lyon (Estadio Jose Alvalade, Serie A for the second year running and scored Saturday 10pm Doha time) a remarkable 98 goals in their 38 matches. Pep Guardiola is looking to la Colombian duo Duvan Zapata and Luis dio end a near decade-long ar Muriel scored 18 each, but Josip Ilicic has u wait for another Cham- G Leipzig boss Nagelsmann eager to avoid been their main threat in Europe -- he scored all p pions League title e four goals when Atalanta won 4-3 at Valencia P after getting the in March to eliminate the Spaniards 8-4 on better of Zinedine clashing with ‘dynamite’ Simeone aggregate. Zidane and Real Ilicic will miss the tie though after travelling Madrid last week. AFP mann is aware that his duel “He wants to be successful. back home to Slovenia for personal reasons. City’s best Lisbon with Simeone will be even more That’s what sets him apart” said performance in the intensely scrutinised. Nagelsmann. RB Leipzig v Atletico (Estadio Jose Alvalade, competition remains RB Leipzig coach Julian Nagels- “Now without spectators, Atletico are hoping to fi- Thursday 10pm Doha time) a run to the semi-finals mann wants to keep cool in you will be able to hear even nally prevail in the Champions ne Runners-up in 2014 in 2016, but the Premier Lisbon should sparks start to more that he is always pointing League finalat the third attempt eo and 2016, Diego League side are among the chief contenders to im S fly with “dynamite” Atletico things out, discussing a lot with after losing to Real Madrid in o Simeone’s Atletico lift the trophy on August 23. g Madrid coach Diego Simeone the referee and demanding the both 2014 and 2016. ie Madrid are target- City will be well aware of the dangers posed during Thursday’s Champions use of cards,” said Nagelsmann. They have also won the Eu- D ing a third final in by Lyon, who took four points off them in last League quarter-final. His Leipzig players are ropa League twice under Sime- seven seasons season’s group stage. Striker Sergio Aguero is Both Nagelsmann, 32, and aware that things could get one in 2012 and 2018. having dumped unlikely to play again this term due to a knee Atletico’s Argentinian boss heated. “I’m curious to see how “My colleague,” Nagels- out holders Liver- injury although Gabriel Jesus has scored five Simeone, 50, are notorious for Leipzig coach things will work out with Julian mann told Goal.com in refer- pool in a last-16 times in his past seven games in the Argen- passionately urging their team and Diego Simeone,” Leipzig ence to Simeone, “must have an tie completed in tine’s absence. on from the sidelines. Austrian energy drinks giants defender Marcel Halstenberg extraordinary gift. March. Lyon are pinning their hopes of returning to Nagelsmann wants to avoid Red Bull, were only founded in told Sportbuzzer. “I believe that 99 per cent Atletico’s prepara- Europe next season on winning the Champions falling “under the spell” of any 2009 and are in the knock-out “They are both very emo- of coaches who would always tions for Lisbon hit a snag when League after a miserable and truncated domes- heated emotions during the phase of the Champions League tional blokes.” play 4-4-2 in such an aggressive two players, Angel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko, tic campaign in which they ended seventh. game in Lisbon, “but will con- for the first time having beaten Certainly, Nagelsmann has fashion would be burned out af- tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend However, the long lay-off has allowed key centrate on the (match) con- last season’s finalists Totten- lots of respect for Simeone ter two years, but not him.” and were quarantined. However, no further man Memphis Depay to return from a torn tent, on the team”. ham in the last 16. who has repeatedly steered Simeone “runs around like cases were detected following another round of cruciate knee ligament, and it was his penalty “You’re better off doing that Without the crowd mask- Atletico to Champions League dynamite and still gets great testing ahead of the team’s flight to Portugal. which saw Lyon eliminate and than getting into an in-fight.” ing any pitchside noise at the success after nearly a decade feedback from his players”, add- Atletico finished the season strongly, Juventus on away goals. (AFP) Leipzig, who are backed by Estadio Jose Alvalade Nagels- in Madrid. ed Nagelsmann in admiration. 14 Wednesday, August 12, 2020 Sports Jeremy Lin demands Man United and more protection reach Europa League semis in China basketball

AFP Shanghai

NBA champion Jeremy Lin demanded better protection in the Chinese Basketball Associ- ation after he needed hospital treatment and temporarily lost his hearing following the Bei- jing Ducks’ semi-final defeat. The 31-year-old com- plained of an array of injury problems after the Guangdong Southern Tigers edged the Ducks 88-85 for a hard-fought 2-1 series win, ending Lin’s first season in China. Lin, who last year became the first Asian-American to win the NBA championship with the Toronto Raptors, was left bent double on court after his buzzer-beater missed, and Inter Milan’s Belgian forward celebrates scoring during the UEFA Europa League quarter- Manchester United’s Portuguese Bruno Fernandes shoots to score off a penalty during the UEFA appeared emotional following final match against at the Duesseldorf Arena on Monday.( AFP) Europa League quarter-final against FC Copenhagen at the RheinEnergieStadion in on Monday.( AFP) the defeat. He told his seven million DPA was stricken from the records, scoresheet himself six minutes Eriksen was felled by Karim followers on China’s Twitter- Dusseldorf again for offside. Results later with a cunning strike as Bellarabi in the box. like Weibo that “I didn’t sleep Copenhagen were frustrat- At Dusseldorf, : Inter Milan (ITA) 2 (Barella 15, he fell after showing grit to However Inter were once all night” following Saturday’s Manchester United need- ing the favourites with a disci- Lukaku 21) Bayer Leverkusen (GER) 1 (Havertz 25) beat Edmond Tapsoba. more denied the penalty by agonising loss. ed extra-time and a penalty plined display, with Ole Gun- He set a new competition VAR, as the ball had hit Barel- to edge Copenhagen 1-0 and nar Solskjaer’s British side far At Cologne, Germany: Manchester United (ENG) 1 (Fernandes record of scoring in nine con- la’s hand while he lay on the reach the Europa League from their overpowering best 95-pen) FC Copenhagen (DEN) 0 – after extra time. secutive matches, including in ground just before the foul. semi-finals, whileR omelu Lu- form which they finished the five games for Everton in the Lukaku, who had been due kaku powered Inter Milan to a season in. came five minutes into extra- patience, not making mistakes 2014-15 campaign, moving to take both cancelled spot 2-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen Greenwood struck the post time, when Andreas Bjelland and not giving them chances onto 31 goals for the season in kicks, was then denied a goal on Monday. early in the second half and was harshly penalised for tan- that we don’t have to. all competitions. as he powered past the hapless Both quarter-final matches Rashford tucked home the gling with Martial. “I think maybe we needed scored for Tapsoba and was adjudged to were played in Germany as part rebound but it was once more Bruno dispatched his sev- (extra-time), you felt that if Leverkusen by drilling home have fouled the defender. of the compressed end to the disallowed for offside. enth penalty of the season we had another half an hour after receiving from Kevin “We made too many mis- tournament, which was sus- Bruno Fernandes then hit without fuss to send Manches- to play we would create more Volland to keep his team in takes upfront, as we didn’t fin- pended for five months because the post, the eighth time the ter United ahead and they held goals and more chances.” In- with a chance. ish the chances and could’ve of the coronavirus pandemic. Red Devils had hit the wood- off the Danes to ensure they ter Milan started strongly on Inter were awarded a pen- won by more,” Lukaku told Manchester United were work in the Europa League will face Wolves or Sevilla in a baking Dusseldorf night and alty for handball but revision Sky Italia. awarded a penalty early on but this season, as United started the semi-finals. took the lead through Nicolo by VAR showed no offence “The defence did a great Beijing Ducks’ Jeremy Lin. (AFP) it was cancelled by video as- to turned the screw. Skillful “We deserved to win to- Barella in the 15th minute. had been committed by Da- job and, for me, the man of sistant referee (VAR) as Harry Copenhagen playmaker Ras- night. Their keeper was fantas- Lukaku caused chaos in ley Sinkgraven, who blocked a the match was Barella, like in “Frankly speaking, such a Maguire was offside. mus Falk threatened at the tic, he was unbelievable,” said the area and had a shot which cross with his shoulder. recent weeks he was just fan- defeat is heart-breaking, it re- Young United forward Ma- other end, while impressive Solskjaer. “We had to defend was blocked, but his team- Leverkusen battled hard in tastic, he’s everywhere.” The ally hurts,” said Lin, a guard son Greenwood thought he goalkeeper Karl-Johan Johns- well and they made it hard for mate finished neatly to put the the second half but their hopes other quarter-finalstake place whose 2012 heroics for the had struck in the final stages son denied . us. They were a good team, Italians ahead. appeared to be dashed in the on Tuesday, before the semi- New York Knicks sparked a of a dull first half but the goal Finally the breakthrough well-organized. It was about The Belgian was on the 90th minute when Christian finals start on Sunday. frenzy dubbed “Linsanity”. Speaking on Chinese state television on Monday, Lin said he had problems with his an- kles, knees, neck and ears, and Jimmy Butler turns showdown into 114-92 Heat rout of Pacers would need a second trip to the hospital for his hearing. TCA/DPA “It was a great team win,” ing a kiss in his direction. Both other over a 10-game span “My condition isn’t very Fort Lauderdale, Florida Butler said. were fined. that began Monday. good because, as we all know, In the personal matchup, Following that game, “That’s certainly unusual, the competition is fierce for No fireworks this time be- Butler took an easy decision, among Butler’s locker room unusual circumstances,” Pac- both teams,” he said. tween Jimmy Butler and T.J. closing with 19 points, 11 re- gems were: “He’s trash” and ers center Myles Turner said. “We basically play the Warren. bounds, five assists and four “He’s not even in my (exple- “But, at the same time, we can’t game and hit people at the Then again, perhaps the steals. Warren finished with tive) league” and “I can guard change the way we play, just same time. two were merely sparring for 12 points, five rebounds and him and he can’t guard me” because of how our schedule “I can understand if you the main event - next week’s no other stats of note. Warren and “I’m going to tear his (ex- is lined up.” 3. Playoff picture: hit and hurt your opponent by start of the NBA playoffs. entered averaging 35 points in pletive) up every time.” This If the Philadelphia 76ers lose mistake, but (it is unaccepta- Meeting for the first of two Indiana’s previous five games was that next time, put on hold Tuesday to the surging Phoe- ble) if you do it on purpose or games this week, and seeded in the Disney bubble. Butler by the NBA’s fourth-month nix Suns, it would eliminate the the referee doesn’t protect the for a potential best-of-seven shot 5 of 13, Warren 5 of 14. shutdown due to the new coro- possibility of the Heat dropping players. postseason series that would “We just made everything navirus pandemic. to number six in the East, with “We want to be safe on the start next week, the Miami tough for him,” Butler said. Butler opened defending that seed to face the Boston court, that’s all I can say. I’ll Heat pushed past the Indi- “When you go against the Warren, but the Pacers opened Celtics in the opening round. leave the rest for you guys to ana Pacers 114-92 on Monday Miami Heat, we always have with Malcolm Brogdon on With such a 76ers loss to discuss.” night at Disney’s Wide World something in our back pocket.” T.J. Warren of Indiana Pacers (left) and Jimmy Butler of Miami heat on Butler. Warren had 12 points Phoenix, it would mean the Beijing’s stand-in coach of Sports. The difference was that But- Monday night at Disney’s Wide World of Sports in Florida. at halftime, but only two when Heat’s first-round playoff op- Xie Libin conceded that age The last time the teams ler was supported by several Butler was his defender. But- ponent would be either In- and injury were taking their met, back in January, the across-the-board Heat efforts, a series of lob feeds and 17 with the lead again climbing ler had 10 at the intermission. diana or Philadelphia in a toll on his star man, who Heat’s Butler and the Pac- including 14 points, eight re- from Tyler Herro, off series of from there. Warren then went score- number four-number 5 open- bagged a team-high 25 points ers’ Warren got into a heated bounds and four assists from 3-pointers. Five degrees of Heat from less in the third quarter. ing-round series. when they tied the series 1-1. series of words and gestures Jae Crowder; 10 points, nine With Butler and Dragic Monday night’s game: 1. The 2. Do it again: The Heat The Heat’s remaining Lin, who signed for Bei- that left both eventually fined rebounds and four assists back from injuries, the Heat showdown: To refresh, the last and Pacers remain on a poten- regular-season games are jing last year as an unre- by the NBA. This time, the from Bam Adebayo; and 11 moved to an 18-point lead in time Butler and Warren met, tial collision course for a first- Wednesday at 8 pm (0000 stricted free agent, is among matchup was more subdued in points, nine assists and six re- the third quarter, after the in a January 8 Heat victory round playoff meeting. GMT Thursday) against the the most fouled players in the the game played in the void of bounds from Goran Dragic. teams stood tied at 48-48 at in Indianapolis, Warren was Both teams attempted to Oklahoma City Thunder and CBA in recent seasons, ac- fans, amid the new coronavi- There also were 18 points the intermission, and were up ejected for wagging a middle downplay the possibility of Friday at 4 pm again against cording league statistics cited rus pandemic. from Derrick Jones Jr, off 85-71 going into the fourth, finger, with Butler then blow- up to nine games against each the Pacers. by Chinese media. ‘First woman physio’ breaks down barriers in China football

AFP email from Suzhou, where half stitions and traditions that extra burden on themselves play matches. Shanghai the 16 CSL teams are in a “bub- discriminate against women, because they feel they have to That means Hernandez is ble” to ward off coronavirus. such as not being able to go to prove themselves. living in an overwhelmingly Erica Hernandez calls her- “I wish that we will all the same bus as the team or “It is because we want to male environment for two self the first woman physio in just be treated as profession- not sitting on the bench during avoid situations where some- months straight. Chinese professional football als, without taking into ac- the match,” she added. body could just say, ‘If she was She denies it is claustro- -- but the Spaniard is certain count our gender,” added the Hernandez names Eva a man it wouldn’t happen,’” phobic or misses the company that she will not be the last. 40-year-old, who believes that Carneiro, who was the team she said. of other women, and says she Together with husband she is the only woman physio doctor at Chelsea until 2015, is enjoying meeting staff from Jordi Escura, a former Andorra in the top two divisions of Chi- as one of her inspirations. ‘The time will come’ the seven other teams staying defender, they head up medi- nese football. In 2016 Carneiro settled Hernandez’s place in Chinese in the same hotel. cal services at Chinese Super “From my experience what a constructive dismissal case football has come into sharp But she acknowledges that League side Qingdao Huanghai. the player wants is to recover with the Premier League club, focus since the coronavirus- China is lagging some coun- Chinese media call them sooner and better, he or she who apologised “unreserv- delayed season finally kicked tries when it comes to women “the miracle-working medical doesn’t care who treats them edly” over her treatment, and off last month because Qing- in sport and is looking forward couple”. as long as you help them get she also reached a discrimina- dao are newly promoted to the to the day when she sees more But while women are slow- what they want.” tion settlement with former top division. female physios in the CSL. ly becoming more involved in Hernandez, who has been manager Jose Mourinho. The 16 CSL teams have “What is happening in men’s football, Hernandez is with Qingdao for about five Lorena Torres, perfor- been split into two groups, in China is that this country an incongruous sight in the years after a stint in Thai foot- mance director at the Phila- Suzhou and Dalian, and they needs more time to embrace male-dominated CSL. ball, is keen to stress that she delphia 76ers and also from are not allowed to leave a des- this evolution and it will take “I just want to say that has never faced any sexual Spain, is another Hernandez ignated hotel in each city to longer to see the same reality what I’d love to see soon is that discrimination at the club on looks up to for the way she prevent contact with the out- that we are having in Europe,” we are not treated as women or China’s northeast coast. forged a career in the NBA. A file photo of Qingdao Huanghai’s physio Erica Hernandez (right) side world. she said. men working in certain posi- “Having said this, I know Hernandez believes that on the pitch before the Chinese Super League (CSL) match between The only time players and “But the time will come tions,” Hernandez told AFP by that there are some super- sometimes women place an against Shanghai SIPG in Suzhou. (AFP) staff can leave is to train and for sure.” Sports Wednesday, August 12, 2020 15 Serena made to work for win on WTA return AFP Williams was soon in trou- Los Angeles ble on her service game in the second set, falling 0-40 in the A rusty Serena Williams made opening game before battling a winning return from her back to hold. Johanna Konta during her match against Marie Bouzkova of the Czech six-month coronavirus hiatus Williams moved into a 3-1 Republic on Monday. (Getty Images/AFP) on Tuesday, defeating lowly lead with a break of Pera’s ranked Bernarda Pera in three serve in the fourth game, but sets to advance to the second her Croatia-born opponent hit Konta suffers heart round of the WTA Top Seed back immediately with a break Open tournament in Kentucky. of her own before holding to Williams, who before level at 3-3. scare in Lexington exit Tuesday had not played a com- With the next two games petitive game since a Fed Cup going to serve, Williams AFP “My heart rate shoots up for appearance in February, was looked to be in trouble after Lexington (US) no reason, we didn’t have a long forced to come from behind to falling 0-40 down in the ninth point, I wasn’t gassing in any defeat world number 60 Pera game. But she dug deep to Britain’s Jo Konta suffered way in my lungs,” Konta said. 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in two hours and hold for a 5-4 lead and then a health scare as she crashed “It makes me a bit light- 15 minutes at the Top Seed Serena Williams’ husband and broke for the set when Pera out of the opening round of the headed, I just had to see the Tennis Club in Lexington. daughter, Alexis Ohanian and sent a forehand return wide. WTA Top Seed Open in Lexing- doctor and the physio. “I haven’t played in so Alexis Olympia Ohanian look on The momentum spilled ton on Monday with a straight- “I was having all the checks. long,” Williams said after- during her match on Tuesday. into the deciding set, and an- sets defeat to the Czech Repub- I am as fit as a fiddle but it can wards. “It was good for me (Getty Images/AFP) other misdirected forehand lic’s Marie Bouzkova. happen. It took a while to settle play three sets and win a from Pera handed Williams a Third seed Konta requested down until in the first set and match in three sets.” “I knew I could play a lit- break to move into a 3-1 lead. medical attention just a few then I was able to concentrate.” The 38-year-old former tle bit better if I just hung in Another break took her minutes into her 6-4, 6-4 first Konta said it was the fourth world number one looked to there.” into a 5-1 lead and she closed round loss to the unseeded time she had been affected by be flirting with an early exit in Williams will now play ei- out the win by holding to love, Bouzkova. The 29-year-old the problem during tournament the second set, but recovered ther sister Venus or Victoria wrapping up victory with a Briton looked uncomfortable play or practice. “We don’t know from 0-40 down at 4-4 before Azarenka, who were to face cross-court forehand that left and kept holding two fingers to why it happens, it’s in stressful holding and eventually win- each other later Tuesday. Pera stranded. her neck to check her pulse be- situations, in non-stressful situ- ning the set to level. Pera had seized an early This week’s WTA tourna- fore eventually resuming play. ations. It’s been sporadic and “I wasn’t getting a good advantage in the first set, ment is the first to be staged in Konta later explained that we haven’t been able to capture rhythm, and I just said ‘Sere- Serena Williams during her match against Bernarda Pera at the Top breaking Williams to take a 3-2 the United States since the COV- she is prone to sudden palpita- it. I get very lightheaded and I na, play like you’ve been prac- Seed Open 2020 at the Top Seed Tennis Club in Lexington, Kentucky, lead before holding for the re- ID-19 pandemic shut down the tions that can send her heart can’t function for the first few ticing’,” Williams said. United States, on Tuesday. (Getty Images/AFP) mainder of the set to win 6-4. tennis season earlier this year. rate soaring. seconds,” she said.

Halep grinds Injured cyclist Jakobsen Selby ends Australian Robertson’s Quick singles out win world championship hopes Broad fined by on return cleared to return home father Chris over AFP AFP send-off of Yasir to court in Paris London London: England paceman Stu- Prague Dutch cyclist Fabio Ja- Three-time world snooker art Broad has been sanctioned kobsen, who was placed in a champion Mark Selby ended by his father Chris, a match ref- AFP medically-induced coma last Australian Neil Robertson’s eree, for a breach of the Inter- Prague week after a horrifying crash hopes of a second world crown national Cricket Council’s code at the Tour of Poland, has with a gritty 13 frames to 7 vic- of conduct during the first Test Simona Halep won her open- been cleared to return to the tory in their quarter-final at the against Pakistan. Broad was ing match of the WTA Prague Netherlands, his team said Crucible Theatre on Tuesday. fined 15 per cent of his match Open on Tuesday, defeating on Tuesday. English cuesman Selby fee for a level one breach and Polona Hercog 6-1, 1-6, 7-6 The Deceuninck-Quick reached his first world semi- also given one demerit point for (7/3) to relaunch a season dis- Step rider, 23, was left fight- final since 2017 -- the last time using inappropriate language rupted for nearly six months ing for his life and underwent he won the title -- thanks to when dismissing Yasir Shah in by the coronavirus pandemic. a five-hour operation imme- A file photo of Dutch cyclist a no frills safety-first strat- Mark Selby of Australia. Pakistan’s second innings at Top seed Halep needed diately after the accident after Fabio Jakobsen of Quick-Step egy that prevented Robertson Old Trafford on Saturday, hours two and a half hours to over- sustaining severe injuries to Floors. (AFP) from getting into his stride. it became very damaging to Selby, 37, will play either before England completed a come Slovenian world number the face. Selby had led 11-5 overnight my confidence. another three-time world three-wicket win. Broad admit- 46 Hercog on clay in the Czech He awoke from the coma and over a barrier at 80 kilo- and moved to within one frame “I was happy with my per- champion in Mark Williams ted the offence and accepted capital, blowing six match on Thursday and doctors ini- metres (50 miles) an hour as of the last four by winning the formance against Neil. or five-time championR onnie the sanction proposed by Chris points in the decider before tially estimated he could leave he raced elbow-to-elbow with first frame of the session. “I felt if I got a chance I O’Sullivan. Broad, the former England bats- prevailing in a tie-break. in around two weeks’ time fol- fellow Dutchman Dylan Groe- Robertson, the champion could score, and my safety Williams enters Tues- man who is now a member of lowing a period of rehabilita- newegen in the opening stage in 2010, struck back with play was back up with how it day’s second session 6-2 up the ICC’s elite panel of match tion. of the Tour of Poland in Kato- two successive frames but was a few years ago. in the best of 25 frame con- referees. He would not normally However, Jakobsen’s team wice. Selby confirmed his place in “As a match-play game test against an opponent the be officiating in a match involv- said Tuesday his condition Groenewegen, from the Wednesday’s semi-final by it was right up there with my 45-year-old Welshman has ing his son. But in a bid to cope had “improved further” and Jumbo-Visma team, veered winning the next. best performances. only beaten once in a ranking with travel restrictions imposed that he would be moved to a suddenly to the right, squeez- Victory will be a huge “I can see the changes al- event in 18 years. by the coronavirus, Chris Broad, hospital in his homeland. ing his compatriot into the boost to Selby who suffered a ready, especially in my body In the other quarter-finals, together with a team of English “Fabio Jakobsen’s condi- security wall. Jakobsen som- slump in morale following his language, so long may it con- defending champion Judd umpires, is officiating in the cur- tion is evolving favourably, ersaulted over the barriers 2017 world title and won only tinue.” Trump is in trouble in a grudge rent three-match series. (AFP) to the extent that he will be before colliding with a race two tournaments in the next Robertson paid tribute to match with Kyren Wilson, who transferred Wednesday to the official. two years. Selby’s safety play. leads 10-6. hospital in Leiden, the Nether- Groenewegen went on to “Over the last 12 to 18 “Mark’s defensive safety QualifierA nthony McGill NZC confirms lands (LUMC), where further win the stage but was later months I was questioning my- was absolutely unbelievable,” of Scotland looks favoured to upcoming tours follow-up treatment of his in- disqualified. He has been sus- self,” said Selby. said Robertson. meet the winner of that match juries will take place,” read a pended by his team pending “I had got so used to win- “He didn’t let up really and as he leads Norwegian Kurt Wellington: New Zealand statement. an investigation from the UCI, ning tournaments that when I I think he got his game plan Maflin 10-6 going into Tues- Cricket said on Tuesday that Pa- Jakobsen was thrown into cycling’s governing body. wasn’t winning tournaments spot-on over the two days.” day evening’s final session. kistan, Australia, Bangladesh and the West Indies had all confirmed they will tour during the upcoming home season, despite the coro- navirus pandemic. New Zealand Simona Halep of Romania. Cricket chief executive David Sifan set to attack one-hour world record in Brussels White said managed isolation ar- The second-ranked Halep rangements for the visiting teams will meet Barbora Krejcikova Agencies healthy,” said Hassan. were still being worked out with of- in the round of 16. Brussels (Belgium) “There are very few oc- ficials in Wellington, but the tours The reigning Wimble- casions to compete these would proceed. “West Indies, don and former French Open Organisers of the AG Me- days and I am delighted Pakistan is confirmed,A ustralia champion was appearing in morial Van Damme have an- with the invitation from the and Bangladesh, so (there will be) her first match on tour since nounced that world 1500m AG Memorial Van Damme 37 days of international cricket,” securing her 20th career title and 10,000m champion Sifan to attack the one hour he told reporters. (AFP) at the Dubai Championships Hassan will attempt to break world record. It is a strong in February. the one-hour world record record but I take the chal- She pulled out of the first at the Wanda Diamond lenge with both hands and I Sri Lanka postpones post-lockdown WTA tourna- League meeting in Brussels on believe that I’m in the right cricket league over ment in Palermo last week September 4. shape to succeed.” quarantine rules over virus concerns, and is yet The Dutch distance runner An attack on the men’s to make a final decision wheth- will have to cover more than one-hour world record (Haile Colombo: Sri Lanka’s cricket er to play at the US Open later 18.517km within 60 minutes to Gebreselassie’s 21.285km) had board on Tuesday postponed by this month. break the record set in 2008 by been previously announced three months the new premier The tournament in Prague Ethiopia’s Dire Tune. with four-time Olympic cham- league tournament as health is Halep’s first trip abroad If she is at her best, that pion Mo Farah and Belgian authorities insisted on a two-week since February, having spent distance should be within Has- Bashir Abdi set to take on the quarantine for foreign players. Sri the lockdown in her native Ro- san’s capabilities; when she set challenge. Lanka Cricket had announced last mania. a half marathon PB of 1:05:15 They will now be joined by month that it hoped to resume Organisers of the Czech in 2018, Hassan covered Norway’s Sondre Moen, who top-level cricket with the Lanka event have put all players and roughly 19.375km during the has set his sights on break- Premier League (LPL) from August staff in a single eight-storey first hour. ing the European record of 28 with the participation of 70 hotel reserved for the occasion Hassan is familiar with the Sifan Hassan of The Netherlands after winning the 1500m at the 2019 IAAF World Championships at the 20.944km set by Jos Hermens international players. “We asked to reduce the risk of COVID-19 track in the King Baudouin Khalifa International Stadium in Doha last October. in 1976. for a three-day quarantine period, contagion. Stadium. A men’s 1500m has been but the health authorities insisted Regular temperature Having set national re- Belgian capital. included a world mile record London. added to the programme and on 14 days,” a cricket official told checks are a must, just like cords there for 3000m in 2014 Aside from her unique of 4:12.33 in Monaco, a Euro- “This is a strange and dif- it will be headlined by Nor- AFP. “Under those restrictions, it face masks which the players and the mile in 2015, last year double at the World Cham- pean 3000m record of 8:18.49 ficult season, butI have been wegian brothers Henrik, Filip is not feasible to hold the tourna- have to wear unless they are she secured the Diamond pionships in Doha, Hassan’s in Stanford, and a European able to continue my training as and Jakob Ingebrigtsen. ment this month.” (AFP) playing, training or eating. League title over 5000m in the momentous 2019 season also 5000m record of 14:22.12 in well as I could and I feel fit and (worldathletics.org)