Mediaboss Marketing

ENGLAND should follow Chelseas blueprint for European glory as they look to cope with the absence of Harry Maguire.

That is the verdict of former Three Lions defender Martin Keown ahead of the Euros.

WIN 50,000! Play Dream Team Euros our FREE fantasy football game this summer

5

5

Arsenal Invincible Keown believes Thomas Tuchels three-man Chelsea defensive system was the key to last weeks Champions League final win against Manchester City.

And while he suspects that England boss Gareth Southgate had been planning to play with four at the back, Maguires absence will mean a major rethink.

Keown says: Maguire is a huge loss for England because hes very dominant in the air, hes never ruffled in possession and he has that quality on the ball that you need at international level.

But if hes not going to be fit then we are better off playing with a back three because I can barely remember a time when the back-up central defenders had so few international caps.

WIN 50,000 with Dream Team Euros

Dream Team Euros is HERE!

The best fantasy football game to accompany Euro 2020 has arrived.

And you can play absolutely FREE for your chance to win the 50,000 jackpot.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR FREE!

Dream Team Euros

Gareth was looking to get more creative players into the team higher up the pitch, which is better suited to 4-3-3.

But now we should look at what Tuchel has done at Chelsea and ask if it is something which England can copy?

There are three Chelsea players in the squad who are used to playing that way and I dont think wed go far wrong going into a tournament playing like that.

Im not saying that guys like Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings arent good enough. I think they lack international experience so a back four is a problem for England.

BETTING SPECIAL - GET ENGLAND TO WIN EURO 2020 AND HARRY KANE TO BE TOP SCORER AT 18/1

5

5

Live Blog

RED DEVILS NEWSMan Utd plotting 68m Saul Niguez move, battle with Liverpool for Goncalves

Live Blog

ITALIAN JOBItaly vs Czech Republic: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time

Live Blog

IBERIAN DERBYSpain vs Portugal: Live stream, TV channel, team news and kick-off time

OUT THE DOORChelsea release SEVEN including Van Ginkel but Giroud signed secret new deal

Revealed

GOODY TU SHOESTuchel wears lucky shoes that are loved by celebs like Reese Witherspoon

Greatest regretThe secret heartbreak behind Robert Lewandowski's glittering playing career

Keown expects Kyle Walker, John Stones and Mings to start Englands opening game against Croatia at Wembley in eight days time.

The only problem is that the trio has never played together before and will have next to no time to sort themselves out.

Keown, an ambassador for McDonalds Fun Football programme, says: We have to hit the ground running because we have the World Cup finalists in our first game.

We did well in our last tournament at the World Cup three years ago but the draw was kind to us in Russia and thats not the case this time.

I certainly feel that we can get out of this group but the Czech Republic and Scotland are not going to be pushovers.

And even if we do win the group, we will be up against France, Germany or Portugal in the first knockout game.

So while I am optimistic about Englands chances, we also have to be realistic.

I remember that every time I returned to Arsenal from an international tournament the French players would say theres the English again, saying theyre going to win it.

5

They used to draw strength from that so its important to respect the opposition but have the belief we can do well.

Despite the injury problems troubling Southgate, Keown is convinced there is enough quality in this squad to make a real impression.

He added: Theres nine or ten players with the experience of getting to a World Cup semi-final who know how to deal with the pressure of carrying a nations expectations.

I really like the look of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in midfield, although well need both of them to sit in front of the defence rather than having one of them wandering away, as happened against Austria the other night.

But the good news is that our young attacking players are the envy of Europe.

Gareth is almost spoiled for choice with Foden, Mount, Grealish, Saka, Sancho, Sterling, Rashford and Kane.

Its all about creating the right balance to accommodate all these. Some of them will miss out, especially if were going to play a back three.

Martin Keown is calling on families to sign up for McDonalds free Fun Football sessions, which will get thousands of children playing football this summer. To find a local session go to mcdonalds.co.uk/football

More here:
England should use Chelsea blueprint and have three centre-backs without Maguire, says Three Lions &... - The US Sun

Former India wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta on Monday said it's important to look at India's losses individually when talking about their losing streak in knockout matches of International Cricket Council (ICC) events over the last few years. Dasgupta said he wouldn't call India "chokers" despite the long wait that has extended to 7 years.

India last won an ICC tournament knockout match in 2013 when an MS Dhoni-led side defeated England in a rain-curtailed final of the Champions Trophy. India lost the 2015 World Cup semi-final to Australia, 2016 T20 World Cup semi-final to West Indies at home, 2017 Champions Trophy final to Pakistan and 2019 World Cup semi-final to New Zealand.

Deep Dasgupta, speaking on Sports Today, said it's hard to point fingers at one particular reason as the defeats have come in different scenarios for the senior national men's team. However, the cricketer-turned commentator and expert said it might be a case of the team putting too much pressure on themselves and overthinking in the big-ticket games.

"Think about the choker remark the fact is that India has not won a knockout game in the ICC events since 2013. Again, there is no particular reason for that apart from that fact that maybe taking too much pressure and overthinking just because it's a big game in an ICC tournament," Dasgupta said while responding to a fan's question.

"Also, think of the New Zealand game, I think India should have won that. 2017, the Champions Trophy game (final) against Pakistan, that no-ball, let's not get into that. We have spoken a lot about that no-ball. Then, in the West Indies Wankhede game (2016 T20 World Cup), the toss played a crucial role. 180 (192) was not a bad score, but the dew factor and all that played a role," he added.

"There is a reason behind every game, we need to look into them individually. I wouldn't call India chokers."

India are a month away from playing the World Test Championship final, starting June 18 in Southampton. The World No. 1 Test side have an opportunity to win their first ICC title in 8 years when they face New Zealand in the big final.

Meanwhile, Dasgupta also pointed out that India need their big guns to fire in high-pressure games and stressed that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli shouldn't be looking too much into numbers in the World Test Championship final, considering their recent dip in scores in the knockout games of ICC events. The two batting stars did not get past single-digit scores in the Champions Trophy final and the 2019 World Cup semi-final.

"You can't deny the numbers. Ideally, speaking you want your best batsmen and best bowlers to perform in knockout games in the ICC. There's no obvious reason why they aren't. I also think it is something that they shouldn't be thinking about.

"At times, when these numbers come up, you tend to put pressure on yourself by trying to prove the numbers wrong. I hope they are not thinking about it. I hope they are aware of this. I am not too sure whether they are thinking about it, I haven't spoken to them about it. But yes, the fact remains they haven't scored a lot of runs in these knockout games," he added.

The rest is here:
Won't call India chokers, maybe they are overthinking in ICC knockout matches: Deep Dasgupta - India Today

The NBA regular season is done and dusted but there is unfinished business that needs to be settled.

The NBA play-in tournament begins Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) to determine which teams are going to the playoffs.

The Eastern Conference kicks things off with No.7 Boston Celtics hosting No.8 Washington Wizards, and No.9 Indiana Pacers welcoming No.10 Charlotte Hornets in an eliminator match.

The Western Conference will see action the following day with LeBron James and the No.7 Los Angeles Lakers will slug it out with Steph Curry and the No.8 Golden State Warriors in a postseason matchup that is not an NBA Finals. The No.9 Memphis Grizzlies play host to No.10 San Antonio Spurs in a knockout game.

The winners of the No.7-vs.-No.8 matchups will be ranked 7th and paired with the No.2 seed in their respective conferences the Brooklyn Nets in the East and the Phoenix Suns in the West.

The losers of the No.7-vs.-No.8 games will play a knockout game against the winners of the No.9-vs.-No.10 match. The winners will advance to the playoffs as the 8th seed in the respective conferences where the No.1 seed awaits them the Philadelphia 76ers in the East and league-leading Utah Jazz in the West.

Which teams do you think will make it to the NBA playoffs?

Have your say in our poll and leave us a comment.

Other Yahoo Polls you can take:

Yahoo Poll: Should kids 13 and under have social media accounts?

Yahoo Poll: Do you think there are other Duterte 'campaign jokes'?

Yahoo Poll: Should Manny Pacquiao retire now?

Yahoo Poll: How would you describe your relationship with your mother now?

Yahoo Poll: Is health chief Duque the 'hero' of the government's 'good' pandemic response?

Read this article:
Yahoo Poll: Which NBA teams will advance to the playoffs? - Yahoo Philippines News

ONLINE

Live blogs on the RT Sport websiteand the RT News app.

RADIO

Live Leinster v Toulon commentary onRT 2fm, Munster v Toulouse onRT Radio 1.

TV

Live coverage on BT Sport.

WEATHER

Dublin will be mostly sunny on Friday evening, with temperature at around 9C. In Limerick on Saturday, it's set to be around 14C, partly sunny.

Four-time champions Leinster entertainToulon at the RDS this afternoonlooking to build on their latest Guinness Pro14 success, a routine win over Munster last Saturday.

Leo Cullen's sidebeat Northampton and Montpellierto reach the last 16 of thetournament, which was originallysupposed to consist offour pool games each.

However, Covid-19 issues caused a mid-streamre-jiganditsknockout from here on in.

Leinster, who top the carries (140)and passes (182) chart this season,have recalledTadhgFurlong and Johnny Sexton is fit to start in one of four changes made.

Toulon, three in a row winners between 2013 and 2015,forfeit their opening match against the Scarlets 28-0 but recovered to beat Sale 26-14.

Currently in seventh place in the Top 14, Patrice Collazos side are missing former New ZealandcentreMaaNonu, who was sent off in lastweekends loss to Lyon.

Also absent is out-halfLouis Carbonel, who kicked six from six against Sale,although France captain CharlesOllivonandscrum-halfBaptiste Serin return.

The sides have met four times previously in thecompetition, with the French outfit winning all four ties, the last of which came at the end of 2015, with Cullen admittingthat facing an unfamiliar opponent necessitates a bit of second-guessing.

The winner of today's game faces either Exeter or Lyon away in the quarter-final next weekend.

Leinster:Hugo Keenan; Jordan Larmour, Rory O'Loughlin, Robbie Henshaw, James Lowe;Johnny Sexton (capt), Luke McGrath; Cian Healy, Ronn Kelleher,TadhgFurlong; Devin Toner, Ryan Baird; Rhys Ruddock, Josh van der Flier, Jack Conan.

Replacements:James Tracy, Ed Byrne, Andrew Porter, Ross Molony, Scott Fardy, Hugh O'Sullivan, Ross Byrne, Dave Kearney.

Toulon:Gervais Cordin;Masivesi Dakuwaqa, Rudi Wulf, JulienHeriteau, GabinVillire; DuncanPaia'aua; Baptiste Serin (capt); Jean Baptiste Gros, ChristopherTolofua, Beka Gigashvili;EbenEtzebeth, RomainTaofifenua; SwanRebbadj, CharlesOllivon, Sergio Parisse.

Replacements:BastienSoury, SbastienTaofifenua, EmerickSetiano, RaphaelLakafia, Julien Ory, Frederick du Plessis, Anthony Meric, Simon Moretti.

Referee:Matthew Carley (England)AR1:Chris Busby (Ireland)AR2:Sean Gallagher (Ireland)TMO:Tom Foley (England)

Munster must lift themselves from the disappointment of another no-show in a knockout game against Leinster, somethingthatboth head coach Johann van Grann and attack coach Stephen Larkhamadmitted would take a bit of work.

Still, we've seen in recent weeks (Ireland v England) that teams are capable ofproducingan exceptional performance without any indication beforehand that its possible.

You get the feeling thatits going to take something special for Munster towin and earn a quarter-final againstWasps or Clermont but the fact they are defending a 16-game unbeaten record at home in the competition helps. The absence of a crowd does not.

The 2006 and 2008 winners beat Harlequins 21-7 at Thomond and Clermont 39-31 on the road to finish fourth in Pool B, while the French outfits 29-22 victoryover Ulster and the walkoverwinover Exeter left them one place higher.

It will be the seventh meeting of the teams in the competition; Munster have four wins to their name, including a 41-16 success in their last clash in April 2017.

Ugo Molas star-studded side, who have won the competition four times, will bringfinesseand speedin the shape of Antoine Dupont, RomainNtamackandCheslinKolbe, whilethe likes of Charlie Faumuina, Jerome Kaino and Cyril Baille bring the power up front.

Toulouse are top of the standing in the Top 14 but did lose 29-16 to Montpellier at home last weekend.

The teams will be named at midday with Munster captain Peter O'Mahony hoping to have recovered from a deep cut to his thigh.

Munster: To follow...

Toulouse: To follow...

Referee: Wayne Barnes (Eng)AR1: Sen Gallagher (Ire)AR2: Chris Busby (Ire)TMO: Tom Foley (Eng)

Listen tothe RT Rugby podcast onApple Podcasts,Soundcloud,Spotifyorwherever you get your podcasts.

Read more:
Leinster & Munster in Euro action: All you need to know Rugby - RTE.ie

Portugal had to come back from behind to win Luxembourg 1-3 in their final World Cup Qualifier. The player to start it all off, Liverpools Diogo Jota.

Make that three goals in three games for Diogo Jota while on country duty and finally returning to full fitness from his long injury lay-off. His goals for Portugal were crucial additions in their Group A qualifiers.

Thanks to his contribution and a team win with three goals scored against Luxembourg, they are Group As leaders over Serbie but only a goal separates them with both group favourites on seven points each.

Furthermore, the Liverpool man has been the go-to-guy for his country and has directly been involved in eight goals this season for Portugal. This is evidence the Reds have really found a gem in Jota and hes exactly what they need now to recapture their dominance.

This is exactly what is needed at Anfield, one of the forwards brimming with confidence just after returning to action from injury and just ahead of a critical period for the Reds.

In what has been a truly disappointing campaign for the former Premier League champions, Jota and the rest of the squad has the chance to salvage their season with a good run from now until the end of the season.

In Liverpools next three games they go up against Arsenal (Saturday night), Real Madrid in the Champions League next week (Tuesday), and then a visit from the team that gave them their biggest hiding of the season so far, Aston Villa (Sat Apr 10).

Every cup game is a knockout game, every Premier League game is a must-win if they want to keep their top-four hopes alive. They need him to be starting and playing as much as possible.

He has already scored a goal on his return to club action.This capped off Liverpool first back-to-back victories since January. It was a bittersweet day as his first visit against his old team Wolves ending in victory for him.

Since making his move to Anfield fromMolineux Stadium for41 million, he has forced himself into the conversation as being named one of the best summer transfers of 2020, if not, the best.

If it was not for his injury setback, which have could have easily been avoided by Jurgen Klopp, the in-form forward could have been closer to Salahs numbers for the season and the club could have been in a better position.

The Reds boss will be a fool to start Jota on the bench for any of the next three encounters. Firmino has been missing for the last three matches after picking up a knee injury last month not forgetting who has been the more in-form number 9 of the two.

There are some big decisions for Klopp to make when the weekend comes and Saturdays top-6 duel is fast approaching.

Read the original post:
Diogo Jota: The Liverpool striker is trending for the right reasons - The Top Flight