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Josh Ball

Slovan Bratislava is a name that always brings a smile, and not only because they were in the first European game I ever covered, a two-legged Europa League qualifying affair against the mighty Cwmbran Town more than 20 years ago.
The Slovakia side were in Champions League action again overnight, in one of the games that actually involved goals. After the highs of Tuesday, when there were 28 in six matches, last night we got just 13.
Football dominates proceedings once again, but World Athletics have conveniently found more prize money just as boss Sebastian Coe begins his bid to become IOC president, and English cricket has sent a message about racism, although it’s probably not the one they intended. Here’s what happened while you were sleeping.
Drawing a blank
So, a day after teams couldn’t stop scoring in the Champions League, Manchester City and Inter Milan couldn’t find one between them at the Etihad Stadium, battling out a surprise 0-0 draw.

But not for the want of trying, and both teams squandered numerous chances in a breathless back-and-forth affair. City striker Erling Haaland was among those guilty of wasting guilt-edged opportunities to settle matters, but his misdemeanours were nowhere nearly as egregious as Inter’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who blasted over from eight yards out with the goal at his mercy.
Inter boss Simone Inzaghi praised his team’s “giant performance” but admitted he had fallen “into a state of despair when Mkhitaryan didn’t score”.
Worthy of mention
Celtic scoring five goals would not normally warrant a mention, because it’s usually in that two-horse race they call the Scottish Premier League, and because Scottish football generally.
But credit where it’s due: they managed to win their opening game in the Champions League at the 13th time of asking, with a 5-1 thrashing of Slovan Bratislava. Five players – Liam Scales, Kyogo Furuhashi, Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda and Adam Idah – got on the scoresheet.
Manager Brendan Rodgers hit all the right notes with his post-match comments, praising his side for their “mentality, hunger and greed for goals” and said he wanted his team to make Celtic Park “a fortress”.
Up next is the slightly tougher test of Borussia Dortmund, who won 3-0 away to Club Bruges.
Oh dear, Odegaard
Not happy news for Arsenal fans, as boss Mikel Arteta confirmed captain Martin Odegaard would be out “for a while” with the ankle injury he suffered on international duty.
While the Norwegian’s absence against Tottenham was not fatal, at a minimum he will miss important matches in the Champions League against Atalanta on Thursday and a visit to Manchester City in the Premier League this weekend.
“After everything was scanned, they showed that there was some damage, especially in one of the ligaments in the ankle, so we’re going to miss him,” Arteta said. “I don’t want to [put a time frame on it] because I am not a doctor but it is something quite significant so we’re going to lose him for a while – hopefully not months, but let’s see.”
Managerial merry-go-round

Cristiano Ronaldo has another new coach in Saudi Arabia – this time, it’s former AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli, replacing Luis Castro, who was sacked 24 hours earlier.
In April 2023, coach Rudi Garcia left Al Nassr after failing to secure first place despite Ronaldo’s arrival four months earlier, and Castro’s last game was a 1-1 draw with Al Shorta of Iraq in AFC Champions League Elite – a match Ronaldo missed because he was ill apparently.
Roma, meanwhile, are on their third manager of the year, having parted ways with club legend Daniele De Rossi. His replacement is Ivan Juric, who guided Torino to 10th last season.
The Italian giants began 2024 with Jose Mourinho, but he’d reached his two-year limit for staying at a club and is now with Turkish side Fenerbache, the 11th team he has managed.
Show me the money
Do many people pay attention to what happens in track and field outside the Olympics and World Championships? Well maybe not, but at least its athletes are starting to be financially recognised for their skill.
The Diamond League track and field series is set to increase its prize money next season to US$9.2 million, the highest amount since the series was launched in 2010.
Next year’s schedule includes 14 one-day meets and the two-day final in Zurich in August. At each meet, the total prize money per discipline will be between US$30,000 and US$50,000, and at the final between US$60,000 and US$100,000. The prize money is gender-equal.
Sending a message?
Some cricket now, and English county side Essex have been fined £100,000 (US$131,000) after admitting a failure to address “systemic” racist language and conduct at the club between 2001 and 2010.
Half of Essex’s fine is suspended for two years and the county have also been cautioned over their future conduct.
Still, at least they didn’t lose any more points, like the 12 taken away last week because of the slightly oversized bat Feroze Khushi used back in April. If you’re confused by the inconsistency in the punishment, you’re not the only one.
Meanwhile, Indian Premier League team Punjab Kings have hired Australia cricket great Ricky Ponting as head coach on a four-year contract, starting with the 2025 season. Ponting has previously coached IPL teams Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals.


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While you were sleeping

Inter Milan’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan reacts after missing a chance against  Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium. Photo: AFP

Manchester City’s Ilkay Gundogan (right) and Erling Haaland react after a missed chance. Photo: Reuters

Stefano Pioli is the new man in charge at Saudi club Al Nassr. Photo: AFP

AFC Champions League 2: Hong Kong’s Lee Man put in performance worthy of second tier

Lee Man’s Samuel Rosa (right) is tackled by Nam Dinh’s To Van Vu during their side’s AFC Champions League Two clash at Mong Kok Stadium. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Lee Man’s Timothy Chow (left) clears the ball under pressure from Nam Dinh’s Lucas Silva. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Salvatore Schillaci, Italy striker who was top scorer at 1990 home World Cup, dies at 59

Italy’s Salvatore “Toto“ Schillaci (left) and Argentina’s Juan Simon chase the ball during the 1990 World Cup semi-final, which Argentina won on penalties. Photo: AP

Salvatore Schillaci (centre) celebrates after scoring against Czechoslovakia at the 1990 World Cup. Photo: AP

Schillaci became the first Italian to play in the J. League when he joined Iwata Jubilo in 1994. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

A bit quieter on the Champions League front this time around, but at least the managerial merry-go-round has started spinning


A bit quieter on the Champions League front this time around, but at least the managerial merry-go-round has started spinning.


Uefa Champions League