It was 1 / 4 of a century in the past on 2 October 1999 that Carles Puyol performed his very first aggressive recreation for FC Barcelona, a 2-0 win away to Actual Valladolid with the targets scored by Kluivert and Rivaldo.
Boss, I am able to play
The 17-year-old had joined the membership 4 years earlier in 1995 and after rising up by means of the ranks was now on the verge of constructing the leap to the senior stage. Within the build-up to that recreation, {the teenager} had sprained his ankle, an harm that may have impeded any regular participant from enjoying. However Puyol was no regular participant. Shrugging off any considerations, when coach Louis van Gaal requested him how he was feeling, Puyol stated “boss, I am able to play.”
And on he went, to play at proper again within the place of Simao Sabrosa. It was his first ever senior look but it surely by no means confirmed. He was as strong in defence as he was in assist of assault. One of many best defenders ever to grace the sport had taken his first bow.
Van Gaal was completely satisfied by the teenager, and used him in 37 video games that season. By the top of the marketing campaign he was a firmly established characteristic in the course of the Barça rearguard, and by 2004 he was the captain. A one-club man, he saved the armband for the remaining ten years of his enjoying profession, and it’s onerous to think about a extra worthy bearer than he. A born chief, and an instance to everybody together with his no-nonsense perspective, and a damned superb defender too, Puyol was one of many fundamental causes for Barça’s unprecedented success throughout his time within the staff.
The Pole scored twice as Hansi Flick’s aspect eased to their first European victory of the marketing campaign in Catalunya
After a dismal weekend outcome that noticed them overwhelmed 4-2 by Osasuna, Barcelona aspect got here into their Champions League conflict with Younger Boys on Tuesday determined to show some extent. Some completely stunning soccer adopted, as Barca’s assault dovetailed to devastating impact towards their Swiss opponents and secured a 5-0 win.
Barcelona had the lead inside eight minutes, as Robert Lewandowski ghosted in on the again publish to faucet in a cross-cum-shot from Raphinha. The Brazilian then added a second himself, ending after Pedri’s shot was blocked.
Pedri quickly turned supplier, sending a wonderful free-kick into the realm, which was headed in by Inigo Martinez. And simply 5 minutes after the restart, Barca prolonged their lead after Martinez met a Raphinha nook with a diving header again throughout objective for Lewandowski, who tapped in.
The Blaugrana added a fifth late on, as Alejandro Balde’s cross was inadvertently become his personal web by Mohamed Camara.
GOAL charges Barcelona’s gamers from Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys…
FC Barcelona and Wojciech Szczęsny have reached an settlement for the goalkeeper to affix the Membership till 30 June 2025.
Spectacular CV
The Polish keeper involves the Membership in uncommon circumstances however there is no such thing as a doubt that his CV speaks for itself. Throughout his profession, which appeared to have come to an finish in the summertime, he has performed at prime golf equipment comparable to Arsenal, Roma and Juventus since leaving his dwelling city of Warsaw on the age of 16.
Inheritor to Buffon at Juventus
In London with Arsenal, following a mortgage spell with Brentford, Szczęsny established himself as primary and received two FA Cups and a Group Defend with the Gunners. From the Premier League he made to the transfer to Italy and AS Roma, consolidating his fame as one of the constant goalkeepers in European Soccer. From the capital he then moved to Juventus to switch departing legend Gianluigi Buffon between the posts.
Honours and worldwide expertise
Szczęsny was at la vecchia signora for seven seasons from 2017, successful three Serie A titles, three Coppa Italia trophies and three Italian Tremendous Cups.
He totals greater than 500 appearances as an expert, 75 of which got here within the Champions League. With the Polish worldwide facet he has received 84 caps, that includes in two World Cups and 4 European Championships.
Buffalo Payments edge rusher Von Miller was suspended 4 video games by the NFL on Tuesday for violating the league’s private conduct coverage.
The NFL didn’t reveal the rationale for the suspension, which comes as Buffalo (3-1) prepares to play on the Houston Texans on Sunday. Miller, the NFL’s energetic chief in sacks, is eligible to rejoin the Payments forward of their dwelling sport in opposition to Miami on Nov. 3.
Miller was accused final November of assaulting his pregnant girlfriend at their dwelling outdoors Dallas in the course of the Payments’ bye week. He turned himself in to police after being accused of third-degree felony assault of a pregnant lady, which is punishable by two to 10 years in jail and a $10,000 fantastic.
The lady and Miller have been in a relationship for seven years and have two different kids collectively.
No prices have been filed. Miller mentioned in July he thought-about the case closed primarily based on suggestions from his attorneys.
“My life is all about soccer proper now and my children, and being one of the best teammate and greatest soccer participant I can presumably be,” he mentioned on the time. “I’m completely satisfied to be right here with the Buffalo Payments. I’m completely satisfied to simply be on this second, dwelling my life and do the issues that we do usually.”
The 35-year-old Miller has three sacks in 4 video games this season. He didn’t get one in 14 video games final season, together with playoffs, after recovering from a torn knee ligament.
Miller has 126 1/2 sacks, which is tied for seventeenth on the profession listing with Derrick Thomas.
In Miller’s first feedback about his arrest in December, he disputed the allegations, calling them false and “blown out of proportion.” Miller indicated one thing occurred between him and his girlfriend, however pressured it didn’t method what he was alleged to have executed.
In response to a police affidavit relating to the alleged assault on Nov. 29, Miller twice put his palms on his girlfriend’s neck, pulled out a few of her hair and threw her onto a sofa. The lady was handled for minor accidents, together with bruising on her neck, officers wrote.
Police wrote that Miller turned “visibly indignant” when the lady went into an workplace of their shared house and slammed the door behind her.
Miller then instructed her to “get out,” police wrote, and when she tried to gather her laptop computer and cellphone, Miller started pushing her. She repeatedly yelled, “Cease. I’m pregnant,” the affidavit mentioned. She fell right into a chair after being pushed, and Miller then put one hand on her neck and held it with stress for 3 to 5 seconds, police wrote.
In response to the doc, Miller then threw the lady’s laptop computer on the ground and stomped on it. She instructed police she recorded a number of the assault and, when she threatened to name police, he left.
The Payments crammed Miller’s spot on the roster by signing defensive sort out Zion Logue off the Atlanta Falcons’ follow squad. Logue was drafted within the sixth spherical by Atlanta after enjoying in faculty at Georgia.
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields (2) attracts again to cross Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, throughout a sport in opposition to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
This transfer can be simpler to swallow for the Steelers had the Raiders waited a couple of weeks to make their commerce intentions identified and thus they’d be extra in a position to afford him. However Adams’s request expedited issues and so if the Steelers wish to make it occur, they must transfer round some cash, however it’s not unimaginable. And the Steelers went laborious after Aiyuk within the preseason, so you understand they’re very a lot available in the market so as to add expertise on the place.
It might be moderately ironic (or one thing) ought to this commerce occur, contemplating the Raiders employed Luke Getsy, seemingly as an indication they believed the issue in Chicago was Justin Fields. Now Fields’s profession is taking off in Pittsburgh whereas Getsy’s not doing so sizzling in Las Vegas. Adams first taking part in below Getsy after which with Fields can be one thing.
We’re solely 4 and a half weeks into the season, and already there are some vital commerce rumors and whispers surfacing. Although the deadline is a number of weeks away, the Baltimore Ravens may be capable of come dwelling with a shiny, new toy.
Tuesday morning began out with a few of these rumors which have been prevalent over the past a number of months; particularly, rumors round star broad receiver Davante Adams of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The large information got here when these rumors shortly went from a easy social media fiasco to a agency commerce request by the veteran wideout.
For a staff just like the Ravens, coming off a dominant win over the Buffalo Payments and proper again into the argument as one of many league’s elite groups, making a transfer to get an elite broad receiver is precisely what might lastly propel them to a Tremendous Bowl behind the arm and legs of Lamar Jackson.
Reviews got here out in regards to the Raiders’ probably asking value for Adams and, when you’re the Ravens, there is no such thing as a means you’ll be able to refuse coming into this dialog. Luckily, there may be an easily-assembled commerce bundle Baltimore might put collectively.
For many who may not be maintaining, the Ravens’ run sport is tops within the league. It should not come as a shock, both, with Derrick Henry wanting like his classic self and Jackson being the perfect dual-threat quarterback in soccer.
Extra Ravens information:
However, Justice Hill has additionally been an enormous issue throughout the offense and appears like the proper complimentary again. So, the place does that depart a man like Keaton Mitchell who’s now nearly again from a season-ending harm in his rookie 12 months?
Mitchell is an electrical again, however the Ravens’ again discipline is about proper now with Henry and Hill. If the Raiders set Adams’ value at a second rounder plus “extra compensation,” then look no additional.
The Raiders are a large number within the again discipline. Between Zamir White, Alexander Mattison and Ameer Abdullah, Vegas has no clear risk. Including a younger again like Mitchell may very well be a catalyst for his or her offense going ahead.
It will be tough to lose the explosiveness of Mitchell, however to be able to land a future Corridor of Fame broad receiver nonetheless in his prime?
That is a no brainer.
The Ravens hand over what’s going to probably be a late second rounder in 2025, plus Mitchell, to lastly give Jackson an alpha broad receiver. That appears too good to be true for Baltimore, nevertheless it’s additionally precisely what Las Vegas is asking for.
If I am Eric DeCosta, the telephone ought to already be in-hand. That is the kind of scenario that warrants quick motion. Go get it carried out, Baltimore.
(This story was up to date after the Padres’ 4-0 win over the Braves in Sport 1 on Tuesday).
The Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres play within the wild-card spherical of the Nationwide League 2024 MLB playoffs at Petco Park in San Diego.
Which group will win the MLB playoffs collection? Which group will win Sport 2 on Wednesday, Oct. 2?
Try these MLB playoff picks and predictions for the collection and the sport, which may be seen at 5:38 p.m. MST on ESPN2 (stream with free trial from FUBO)
The Padres are a 1.5-run favourite over the Braves in MLB playoffs odds for Sport 2, courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook.
San Diego is -120 on the moneyline, whereas Atlanta is +100.
The over/beneath (run whole) is about at seven runs.
The Padres are favored in collection odds over the Mets as properly, with BetMGM placing San Diego at -400 to advance and Atlanta at +310.
San Diego holds a 1-0 collection lead on Atlanta after profitable Sport 1 on Tuesday, 4-0.
MLB playoff picks: Tigers vs Astros | Royals vs Orioles | Mets vs Brewers | Braves vs Padres | MLB playoff sport predictions, win possibilities
Watch Braves at Padres with FUBO (free trial)
Braves vs Padres picks, predictions for Sport 2
Dimers.com: Padres have a 51% win chance in Sport 2 vs Braves
It writes: “We predict the Padres, with a 51% win chance, will possible beat the Braves on Wednesday.”
Clutch Factors: Wager the Braves on the moneyline vs Padres in Sport 2
Cameron Zunkel writes: “That is going to be a pitchers duel. There’s a motive the over/beneath is so low. Don’t be shocked if each pitchers go six or seven sturdy innings as they’re each coming into this sport sizzling. I’m full anticipating there to be a sport three, although. I’ll take the Max Fried to out-duel Musgrove and win this sport for the Braves.”
ESPN: Padres have a 57.1% probability to beat Braves in Sport 2
The location’s matchup predictor offers Atlanta a 42.9% shot to beat San Diego in Wednesday’s MLB playoff sport.
MLB playoff schedule right now:TV channels, instances, how one can watch, stream 2024 postseason video games
Braves vs Padres picks, predictions for collection
MLB.com: Padres will beat Braves in MLB playoffs collection
It writes: “The Braves overcame quite a few accidents to get to the playoffs, shedding Ronald Acuña Jr., Spencer Strider and Austin Riley for the season alongside the way in which, however our specialists assume they’ll have hassle hanging with a balanced Padres group that posted MLB’s finest document (43-20) after the All-Star break. San Diego additionally handled accidents to some key gamers this season, however with Fernando Tatis Jr., Xander Bogaerts, Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish all again, the group heads into the postseason in nice form.”
The Athletic: Padres will defeat Braves in MLB playoffs
Fabian Ardaya writes: “There hasn’t been a greater group within the sport for the reason that All-Star break, and there won’t be a group that seems extra uniquely constructed for October. Its lineup makes contact. Its beginning pitching is deep sufficient. Its bullpen is electrical. Its stars have October expertise.”
Bleacher Report: Padres will win wild-card collection vs Braves in three video games
Tim Kelly writes: “The worst half for the Braves is they are going to be dealing with a Padres group that went an MLB-best 43-20 after the All-Star break. Having an excellent second half does not all the time carry over to the postseason, however there’s motive to consider supervisor Mike Shildt’s group will be capable to construct on its late-season success. San Diego has one of many stronger rotations within the postseason, with Dylan Stop, Michael King, Joe Musgrove and Yu Darvish giving the Friars 4 succesful arms for a three-game collection.”
MLB playoff odds right now:Spreads, moneylines, totals for betting on 2024 postseason video games
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KOLKATA, India (AP) — India’s Mohun Bagan Tremendous Giants has refused to journey to Iran to play Tractor SC in an Asian Champions League Two match scheduled for Wednesday due to the escalating safety issues in the nation and area.
The Kolkata membership requested the Asian Soccer Confederation to reschedule the match, which was as a result of happen within the northwestern metropolis of Tabriz. The groups play within the continent’s second-tier competitors.
The group launched an announcement on Tuesday that stated: “The matter will likely be referred to the related AFC Committees with additional updates to be communicated in the end.”
Within the top-tier Asian Champions League Elite, four-time champion Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia made it two victories from two with a 5-0 win over Al-Shorta of Iraq.
Marcos Leonardo, signed from Benfica as cowl for the injured Neymar, opened the scoring after 11 minutes. Aleksandar Mitrovic made it 2-0 4 minutes later. Salem Al-Dawsari, Nasser Al-Dawsari and Mohamed Kanno every scored within the second half.
Elsewhere, Qatar’s Al-Gharafa of Qatar defeated Al-Ain of the United Arab Emirates 4-2.
The 24 groups within the revamped event are divided into two teams of 12 — one based mostly within the west and one within the east — with the highest eight from every progressing to the spherical of 16.
Within the japanese zone, Gwangju FC of South Korea gained a second sport in its first look in Asia with a 1-0 win at Kawasaki Frontale of Japan. Jasir Asani’s first-half penalty was sufficient.
Additionally from South Korea, three-time champion Pohang Steelers recovered from an opening-round loss to beat Shanghai Port 3-0. Metropolis rival Shanghai Shenhua misplaced by the identical scoreline to Johor of Malaysia whereas Thailand’s Buriram United gained 2-1 at Australia’s Central Coast Mariners.
HOUSTON — Tarik Skubal twirled six shutout innings as the underside of the order sparked an early rally that carried the Detroit Tigers to a 3-1 victory over the Houston Astros in Sport 1 of the American League wild-card collection on Tuesday.
Detroit took a 1-0 lead within the best-of-three collection set to renew on Wednesday. It marked the Tigers’ first postseason win since Sport 4 of the 2013 AL Championship Collection towards Boston.
Skubal (1-0), the presumptive favourite to win the AL Cy Younger Award, pitched to that pedigree. He allowed 4 singles and issued one stroll whereas recording six strikeouts. Skubal retired the Astros so as within the first, second and fifth innings and was particularly efficient with site visitors on the bases, limiting Houston to 0-for-3 with runners in scoring place whereas stranding 5.
With runners on first and second and two outs within the third, Skubal induced a flyout from Kyle Tucker to snuff that menace. Skubal struck out Jeremy Pena and Victor Caratini with runners on first and second to finish the fourth, and notched a strikeout of Yainer Diaz following a two-out single from Alex Bregman to cap the sixth. Skubal threw 88 pitches, 64 for strikes.
“That was a fantastic surroundings,” Skubal mentioned. “Clearly the historical past with this workforce — seven straight ALCS — I believe that speaks for itself. The fellows that they’ve bought over there, too, a ton of expertise. They deal with left-handed pitching properly. It was problem. It was a ton of enjoyable. I loved it.
“That’s in all probability probably the most nervous I’ve been since my debut (in 2020) in order that was additionally enjoyable to cope with. What a sport. Glad to return out with the win.”
The Astros countered with left-hander Framber Valdez, whose second-inning woes proved punitive.
The Tigers mounted a two-out rally on the heels of Wenceel Perez and Spencer Torkelson reaching through a single and a stroll with one out. Torkelson rallied from an 0-2 gap to achieve base, and the Tigers prolonged the inning when Parker Meadows beat out a double-play grounder.
Jake Rogers and Trey Sweeney — batting eighth and ninth, respectively — and Matt Vierling adopted with successive RBI singles, with Rogers and Sweeney pouncing on sinkers earlier than Vierling recorded an exit velocity of 108.3 mph towards a changeup. Valdez struck out Justyn-Henry Malloy to finish the rebellion, however that three-run body proved ample sufficient with Skubal dealing.
“I assumed we had been one swing away there, earlier than getting again in that ball sport,” Astros supervisor Joe Espada mentioned. “We bumped into a reasonably good left-handed pitcher. Skubal has been actually good all 12 months.
“We had a number of probabilities there in the midst of the sport, and we couldn’t capitalize. However credit score to him (Skubal). He made pitches. And we battled ‘til the top. We had a shot there within the ninth, and we simply couldn’t get an enormous hit.
Together with the three runs, Valdez allowed seven hits and walked two whereas recording three strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings.
The Astros original a last-ditch rally towards Tigers reliever Jason Foley within the ninth. Yordan Alvarez (double), Alex Bregman (single) and Yainer Diaz (RBI single) reached in succession to make it 3-1. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third with one out, Tigers right-hander Beau Brieske got here in and notched the ultimate two outs, together with getting Jason Heyward to line out to Torkelson at first base to strand the bases loaded.
by Timothy Minchin, La Trobe College and Christopher Simmonds, La Trobe College
On October 1, Jimmy Carter, america’ thirty ninth president, turned 100.
Carter’s longevity is notable. In 2024, centenarians make up simply 0.03% of the US inhabitants, and 78% of them are girls.
Carter is the primary US president to succeed in the landmark age and the longest-living former US president by some margin. His 77-year marriage to Rosalynn Carter, who died final 12 months, was additionally longer than most presidents’ lives.
It has now been virtually 44 years since Carter misplaced workplace, simply defeated by a Republican, Ronald Reagan, who first promised to “make America nice once more”.
As a one-term president, a destiny that Joe Biden will even share, Carter doesn’t rank extremely in polls of nice presidents. One former speechwriter, maybe harshly, even labelled it the “passionless presidency”.
However presidents are outlined by greater than their presidency – a lesson which will consolation Biden as he heads into enforced retirement. As Carter turns 100, it’s an apt time to mirror on a singular life after the oval workplace: one with relevance to key world problems with our time.
A troublesome presidency
As president from 1976 to 1980, Carter struggled to take care of congress, an indication of his political inexperience.
His presidency was marked by stagflation: a poisonous mixture of excessive inflation, stagnant development and protracted unemployment.
His ballot numbers have been low and his social reform efforts fell quick.
Tensions within the Center East additional eroded his help. The 1979 Iranian Revolution led to sharp will increase in vitality prices and the notorious hostage disaster. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan contributed to the environment of chaos in Carter’s ultimate 12 months in workplace.
Ronald Reagan beat Carter in a landslide within the 1980 presidential election.AP
Carter’s defeat in a landslide in 1980 was humiliating. A post-political life in obscurity may need been anticipated.
The other occurred. Carter’s lengthy post-presidency arguably achieved greater than his presidency, which turned slowed down in financial malaise and international coverage reversals.
Success abroad
As president, Carter’s biggest achievements got here in his efforts to implement a human rights-based international coverage. He frequently put his personal political wellbeing on the road to stress US allies to enhance their human rights information, in addition to returning the Panama Canal from US management.
Arguably his biggest achievement was the Camp David peace accords, which established “regular and pleasant relations” between Israel and Egypt after 31 years of warfare and hostility. Historian Richard Perlstein described Carter’s efforts:
he knew simply when to danger a scathing comment and when to say nothing in any respect; when to horse-trade and when to carry quick, ever reassessing the steadiness between the visionary and the pragmatic.
As soon as free from the pressures of being president, Carter’s abilities in international affairs flourished, working assiduously for human rights and peace, particularly within the Center East.
Carter in 2016.John Bazemore/AP
In 2002, he gained the Nobel Peace Prize for his “many years of untiring efforts” to search out peaceable options to worldwide battle. Carter is certainly one of solely 4 US presidents to win the prize and the one one to win it after leaving workplace.
Not too long ago, the Carter Middle in Atlanta, one other of his legacies, known as for a ceasefire in Gaza and famous that Carter can be on the aircraft to try to safe one if his well being permitted it.
Right this moment, Carter’s Center Jap efforts – whereas actually not good, given the intractability of the challenges – stand the check of time and stay particularly related.
Forward of the curve
Submit-White Home, the Carters (they have been very a lot a partnership) have been forward of their time on many points.
Constructing on vital environmental work as president, Carter put in the primary photo voltaic panels on the White Home and saved thousands and thousands of acres in Alaska from growth. This was lengthy earlier than local weather change was extensively recognised.
Carter, his spouse Rosalynn, and daughter Amy within the late Seventies. The Library of Congress
For greater than 40 years, Carter was additionally a stalwart of Habitat for Humanity, a charity that builds free homes for needy working households. Within the early Nineteen Eighties, he gave the group “nationwide visibility”, an final result that helped it develop internationally. This was properly earlier than housing affordability turned a significant political concern.
Carter additionally strove to take away the stigma related to psychological sickness, once more lengthy earlier than such efforts have been frequent.
A former peanut farmer from Georgia, Carter’s post-presidency is distinctive in different methods.
Most former presidents retire to stay in luxurious in Washington DC, New York or on personal estates within the nation. Carter, nevertheless, went again to Plains, Georgia, the small city (inhabitants 776) the place he and Rosalynn had grown up.
Carter has decreed that upon his demise, the “modest” ranch home that he constructed there in 1961 shall be gifted to the US Nationwide Park Service. The deliberate museum will showcase the home’s ordinariness; it’s a typical instance of the brick properties constructed by thousands and thousands of Individuals after World Struggle II.
The Carters lived in the identical home in Plains, Georgia because it was inbuilt 1961. The Library of Congress
Robust Christians, the Carters lived for many years among the many residents of Plains, going to church and mingling with the neighborhood. When Rosalynn died in 2023, the funeral was held on the native Baptist church, not in Washington DC. The whole city turned out to look at the procession. Presidents, first girls, governors and senators have been within the congregation, however solely pastors, household and mates spoke.
Carter’s survival can also be notable. He has been in “end-of-life” hospice care at residence for nearly two years. Within the US, the typical keep in such care is 70 days.
Carter’s household have publicised his situation partly to interrupt taboos about demise and supply help for the thousands and thousands world wide whose family members are in hospice care. Though frail, the previous president has no underlying situations and his household report that he’s wanting ahead to voting for Kamala Harris on November 5.
A person who lived the primary 40 years of his life in a racially segregated southern state, with most grownup black individuals unable even to vote, has witnessed super social change.
Carter could not have been the most effective politician, however there’s a basic decency about him that stands as an vital legacy. Even his opponents might agree on that.
In keeping with James Fallow, a former aide who wrote an vital account of the Carter administration, the thirty ninth president had admirable private qualities. Fallow described Carter as “disciplined, humorous, enormously clever and deeply religious”.
At a time of faux information and document low ranges of belief in politicians, this “politician with ideas” is price remembering.
Correction: centenarians make up 0.03% of the US inhabitants, not 0.003% as this text initially reported.
Timothy Minchin, Professor of Historical past, La Trobe College and Christopher Simmonds, Adjunct Analysis Fellow, La Trobe College
This text is republished from The Dialog underneath a Artistic Commons license. Learn the unique article.
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