AUDIO:View LinkVIDEO:On this episode of the Managing Madrid Podcast, Kiyan Sobhani and Lucas Navarrete discuss Real Madrids 2 1 win over Ferencvaros, including:Arda Gler MOTMWill he make Jose Mourinhos starting XI?Alexis CiriaThe issues in the defensive lineAnd much more.Did you enjoy this podcast? Get a ton of bonus content over on Patreon.com/ManagingMadridThe site is run by a small team that works tirelessly around the clock to make it into what it is today. Your contributions will allow us to continue to have a real and full-time presence in keeping this website, and its podcasts, going.Hosts this week:Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM)

As Dana Brown works through the final year of his current contract as Astros general manager, its fair to start evaluating his tenure the same way you would any executive in professional sports.Create a ledger.Put the good decisions on one side, the questionable ones on the other, and determine whether the positives outweigh the negatives.There have certainly been positives.Perhaps Browns biggest success came when the Astros realized they werent going to sign Kyle Tucker to the massive long-term contract he was eventually going to command. Rather than allowing another star player to simply walk out the door, Brown acted.The Astros traded Tucker and received Isaac Paredes, Cam Smith and Hayden Wesneski in return.Whatever you think about losing a player of Tuckers caliber, Brown deserves credit for recognizing the situation and maximizing the return while he still could. Paredes has become an important piece, Smith has enormous upside, and Wesneski gave the organization another young arm with potential.Put that one firmly in the win column.Unfortunately, the other side of Browns ledger has become increasingly concerning.After the Astros allowed Framber Valdez to leave in free agency, Brown suddenly had money available to reshape the pitching staff. Houston brought in six pitchers for the 2026 season.Three have already been designated for assignment.Thats not exactly a ringing endorsement of the organizations offseason evaluation process.Then theres Tatsuya Imai.At roughly $19 million per season, Imai was supposed to help stabilize the rotation after Valdezs departure. Instead, his first season in Houston has been an absolute roller coaster.Between adjusting to Major League Baseball, adapting to a new country and dealing with the cultural challenges that come with pitching in the United States, the transition clearly hasnt been easy. But eventually, baseball becomes about production.Imai has been erratic and largely ineffective, and now hes pitching out of the bullpen.That creates an even bigger question for the organization: What exactly is the return on that investment going to look like over the remaining years of his contract?Its one thing to miss on a short-term acquisition. Its another when youre talking about significant money committed for multiple seasons.Then theres Mauricio Dubn.For several years, Dubn was one of the most valuable complementary players on the Astros roster. He could play virtually anywhere on the field, gave the team a professional at-bat, provided Gold Glove-caliber defense and was exactly the kind of versatile player championship teams need.Yet Houston moved him, in part because of concerns about his salary and the flexibility the Astros believed they needed to add elsewhere.Fast-forward to today.The Astros reportedly have approximately $9 million in financial flexibility remaining, while Dubns roughly $6 million salary would have fit comfortably within that number.Considering how inconsistent Houstons offense has been and how frequently the Astros have searched for answers at multiple positions, wouldnt Dubn look pretty good on this roster right now?That brings us to the trade deadline.For a team that fought its way back from a terrible start and put itself in position to contend for another division championship, the deadline was underwhelming.The Astros did acquire center fielder Daulton Varsho, but the price was significant: Spencer Arrighetti, a starting pitcher with three additional years of team control.Meanwhile, Varsho can become a free agent after the season.Maybe the gamble works.Maybe Varsho rediscovers the player he was a year ago, becomes a difference-maker down the stretch and helps Houston make another deep postseason run. Maybe he enjoys Houston enough to re-sign and becomes part of the teams future.If those things happen, the trade will look considerably better.But thats a lot of maybes.Right now, Houston surrendered years of control over a starting pitcher for a player who could potentially be gone in a matter of months.Thats not a sure thing.Thats a gamble.And when you combine that decision with some of Browns other recent moves, its fair to wonder whether a general manager working without a contract beyond this season is beginning to feel the pressure.If Brown truly is fighting to keep his job, then he shouldnt be finished.The trade deadline may have passed, but other opportunities have emerged.Marcell Ozuna, Jorge Soler and Austin Hays are among the veteran bats who could potentially provide more offensive upside than some of the options Houston continues to run into its lineup.Are any of them perfect solutions?No.But were well beyond searching for perfect.Were searching for better.If Houston can add a veteran hitter without sacrificing another prospect or young pitcher, why wouldnt Brown investigate every possible avenue? Wheter his future is yet to be decided or already sealed, finish the job by finishing the year strong. Go for it! Its in everyones best interest, even Browns, even if its not in Houston next season. This team deseves every opportunity to make a run and finish the season strong.As always, Astros fans, I want to hear from you.How do you evaluate the job Dana Brown has done? Have the good moves outweighed the bad ones? And with the trade deadline behind us, what, if anything, should he still do to give this team its best chance to win before its too late? Can he save his job?

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NEW YORK (AP) Gerrit Cole pitched seven strong innings and outdueled Chris Sale in a matchup of Cy Young Award winners as the New York Yankees beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 Saturday.George Lombard Jr. hit his second career homer in the seventh to give the Yankees a 4-2 lead. The shortstop, who homered in his big league debut Tuesday, also drew a walk in the fifth following consecutive successful ABS challenges.New York rookie Spencer Jones drove two runs, with a single in the second and his first career triple in the fifth. Jones also scored the tiebreaking run on a balk by Sale in the fifth. Ben Rice added his 32nd homer in the eighth.Cole allowed two runs in the fifth and four of his six hits in the frame. He struck out nine and walked two in his third straight win.Cole, who was the 2023 AL Cy Young winner, became the 13th Yankee to reach 1,000 career strikeouts when he got Matt Olson to end the fifth.Lombard opened the fifth with a walk against Sale. Jones tripled, scoring Lombard. New York went ahead when Sale was called for a balk by plate umpire Dan Merzel before throwing a pitch to Austin Wells.Sale appeared to have a slight hitch in his leg before starting his motion when he was called for his third career balk. Atlanta manager Walt Weiss argued the call before being ejected.Pitching on nine days rest, Sale allowed five hits and three runs in six innings, while striking out eight. He is 0-3 in three matchups with Cole.Mike Yastrzemski hit an RBI double, and Jim Jarvis had a run-scoring single in the fifth off Cole as the Braves dropped their second straight.Ronald Acua Jr. homered off Brent Headrick in the eighth and Paul Blackburn retired Ozzie Albies to end the inning. David Bednar allowed an RBI single by Dominic Smith and earned his 26th save.Up nextAtlanta RHP Grant Holmes (7-4, 3.67 ERA) faces New York RHP Cam Schlittler (10-6, 2.26) on Sunday.___AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Aug 6, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on in the second half against the Las Vegas Aces at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesIndiana Fever superstar Caitlin Clark had an uncharacteristically bad game on Thursday night against the Las Vegas Aces. The Fever star as she finished with eight turnovers and shot just 7-for-20 from the field, including 2-for-10 from three-point range.However, Clarks late-game miscues were even more alarming.She had a chance to all but clinch the game with two free throws with Indiana leading by three points with just seven seconds in regulation. Making one of them would have given the Fever a two-possession lead with just seconds remaining. Instead, she missed them both, paving the way for Aces guard Chelsea Gray to send the game to overtime with a buzzer-beater three-pointer.In overtime, Clark had a costly turnover with less than 10 seconds remaining, allowing Gray to hit a second buzzer-beater to win the game. After the game, Clark took full accountability.Obviously, that just cant happen. Those are free throws I usually make. Certainly frustrating, Clark said during the postgame presser. Obviously, one of them gives us a two-possession lead. Kind of cost my team there for sure, so thats on me.Shes admitted that she has to be better.We put ourselves in a position to win the game, and honestly it was me who made costly errors for us, Clark said. Its on me to help us win. Thats my job; thats what I get paid to do.Is Kelsey Mitchell better than Caitlin Clark?However, if ESPNs Stephen A. Smith is right, she shouldnt have to hang her head too much, as the ball shouldnt have been in her hands in the first place.You cant as a coach be giving the ball to Caitlin Clark just because shes Caitlin Clark, Smith said on First Take. Not when you got a Kelsey Mitchell on the floor who is absolutely positively balling for you on a night-in, night-out basis, shooting better from the field, shooting better from three-point range, shooting damn near just as well from the free throw line, and at the same breath averaging three less turnovers a night.The best player on the Indiana Fever is Kelsey Mitchell. Its about time we acknowledge thatHeartbreaking: the worst person you know made a great point pic.twitter.com/6ToY6sgFiJ CFP (@sportsfan6718) August 7, 2026I mean, thats the person, and shes your leading scorer, Kelsey Mitchell. That is the person when you see somebody producing like that, you got to get them the ballBut when you see the ball consistently in Caitlin Clarks hands, it does make you wonder what the coach is doing. What are you doing? Are you responding to the narratives? Are you responding to the popularity? What are you doing? Because coaching-wise, Im looking at Kelsey Mitchell and Im like, that young lady needs to have the basketball in her hands when it counts most.Clark had a bad night, but considering shes in the top five in both assists and points per game, keeping the ball in her hands is always a great decision.The post Stephen A. Smith insists Caitlin Clark shouldnt have the ball late in games appeared first on The Comeback: Todays Top Sports Stories & Reactions.

Aston Villa director confirms talks for Bayern Munich midfielder Joao PalhinhaAston Villa have been linked with Bayern Munich midfielder Joao Palhinha.Palhinha is expected to leave Bayern this summer after spending last season on loan at Tottenham Hotspur.Villa sporting director Damian Vidagany has confirmed that the club are in talks with Bayern over Palhinha.We need a player for midfield because Amadou Onana is out for the entire season and Joao Palhinha is a very good player who would fit our plans, he told Bild.We are in talks, but there is currently no agreement. If something should happen, it will always be on the basis of the great respect we have for FC Bayern. We are friendly clubs; our relationship with Max Eberl, Christoph Freund and all the other people in charge is excellent. Thats why I cant and dont want to comment on any further details.Bayern are looking to sell Palhinha and have set an asking price of 25 million (21m) for the Portuguese midfielder, but Villa reportedly consider the fee as prohibitive.The two clubs have also discussed a loan-plus-option-to-buy, but they have been unable to reach an agreement on the terms.Youri Tielemans departure to Manchester United has raised the need for Villa to strengthen their midfield.They have already signed Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes, but are expected to sign one more midfielder before the end of the transfer window.Palhinha would add defensive solidity to Villas midfield while providing a goal threat. The 31-year-old ranked first for tackles per game in the Premier League last season, and he registered seven goal involvements in the competition.That said, Villa should consider signing Palhinha on a loan due to his limitations in possession and his age.Stats from Sofascore

Well before he became the San Francisco Giants' president of baseball operations, Buster Posey helped the club become recognized as one of the rare dynasties in baseball's modern era.Posey, along with Brandon Belt, Brandon Crawford, Joe Panik and Pablo Sandoval were enshrined into the club's esteemed Wall of Fame.Inductions were held before the Giants' contest against the Detroit Tigers on Saturday, August 8. The Wall of Fame ceremony began at 3 p.m. PT (6 p.m. ET), the team announced. The first pitch of the game is at 4:15 p.m. (7:15 p.m. ET).In a five-year span, the Giants captured three World Series pennants from 2010 to 2014, winning in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Here's everything you need to know about the Giants' Wall of Fame inductees.Buster Posey career statsPosey was the starting catcher, and played some first base, in each of his seasons in San Francisco, helping them to reach the pinnacle of baseball. He played 12 seasons with the Giants, where he appeared in 1,371 games, posting a .302 batting average with 663 runs, 293 doubles, 158 home runs, 729 RBI, 540 walks, a .372 on-base percentage, and a .460 slugging percentage.His defensive career includes .995fielding percentagein 1093 games played as a catcher and a .995 fielding percentage in 229 games played at first base. He really took off in postseason play with a .252 batting average with 18 runs, 6 doubles, 5 home runs, 25 RBI and 23 walks.Brandon Belt career statsBelt wasn't a part of the 2010 championship, but was around in 2012 and 2014. He played first base and left field at times for San Francisco. He put together a 13-year career where he tallied a .261 batting average with 194 home runs, 681 runs, 627 RBIs, and 47 stolen bases. His hit splits were .357 on-base percentage and a .460 slugging percentage.He played with the Giants from 2011 to 2022. His final season played in the MLB was with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023. Brandon Crawford career statsLike Belt, Crawford was not a part of the 2010 title, but was on the team for the other two. He wasn't just on the team; he was a major part of the Giants' victory. He became a three-time All-Star in San Francisco.After 14 MLB seasons, Crawford recorded 1,404 hits, 674 runs, 147 homers and 748 RBIs. His batting stats included a .249 average, .318 on-base percentage and a .395 slugging percentage. Crawford played shortstop in all his prime years with the Giants. He remained in San Francisco from 2011 to 2023. He joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024.Pablo Sandoval career statsPablo Sandoval, affectionately known as "Kung Fu Panda", or simply "Panda", put together a solid MLB career that spanned across 14 seasons and included two All-Star appearances in 2011 and 2012. He was named the 2012 World Series MVP. He played third base, and sometimes first. Mostly third. Sandoval recorded a career .278 batting average with 1,279 hits, 153 home runs, 548 runs and 639 RBIs. As for hitting numbers, Panda threw up a .330 on-base percentage and .443 slugging percentage.Sandoval left the Giants after the 2014 title, joining the Boston Red Sox from 2015 to 2017. He returned to San Francisco for another four seasons from 2017 to 2020 and finished his career playing two seasons with the Atlanta Braves in 2020 and 2021.Joe Panik career statsJoe Panik spent time at second and third base in his eight MLB seasons. Panik wasn't around for the first two World Series wins, but he joined the Giants just in time to earn a ring in 2014, where he played a huge role and helped make one of the most spectacular World Series plays ever.It was Game 7 of the World Series against the Kansas City Royals where Panik made a diving stop on a ball up the middle. He flipped the ball using his glove, getting it to Crawford to tag the lead runner out in the bottom third inning. Crawford then threw to first to try to get a sliding Eric Hosmer out.It was his only championship. Panik also became an All-Star in 2015 and won a Gold Glove award in 2016. Panik suited up for the Giants (20142019), New York Mets (2019), Blue Jays (20202021) and Miami Marlins (2021).His career stats include 733 hits, 42 home runs, 340 runs, 258 RBIs, 22 stolen bases and an overall batting average of .264. He carried a .328 on-base percentage and .372 slugging percentage.This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Buster Posey headlines Giants Wall of Fame class in San Francisco

Gianni Infantino apologised for the Fifa Forward Enterprise proposal, but now it seems to be business as usual for the Fifa president [Getty Images]Fifa has strongly criticised what it calls a "concerted and ongoing effort" to "undermine" the organisation and its president Gianni Infantino. The statement follows a Daily Telegraph report which claimed Infantino's alleged lover was given a severance payment by Uefa after he had an affair while he was its general secretary.A Fifa spokesperson told the Telegraph Infantino "strongly denies" the allegations and that they are "categorically untrue".Fifa has now itself hit out at "unsubstantiated assertions and demonstrably false claims", adding that "speculation and insinuation should not be presented as fact".Infantino has come under increasing pressure from Uefa and European football associations over his aborted Fifa Forward Enterprise (FFE) proposal. FFE would have meant a new company being created to manage commercial and ticketing rights, with 21% sold off to a private investment company.Uefa has said it has lost confidence in Infantino, while Norwegian Football Federation (NFF) president Lise Klaveness on Friday called on the Swiss-Italian to resign.European football's governing body says its threat to boycott Fifa events remains on the table, adding that assurances the FFE plan could not be revived have not been received."The Fifa president was democratically elected by Fifa's Member Associations and continues to serve with their mandate," Fifa said in its statement on Saturday."It is increasingly evident that there is a concerted and ongoing effort by some to undermine Fifa and its president. "Those who do not have the support of Fifa's member associations should not seek to achieve through allegation, insinuation or misinformation what they cannot achieve through Fifa's established democratic processes."Opposition to Infantino is largely from within Europe.The Mexican Football Federation broke ranks with its regional governing body Concacaf to come out in support of Infantino.It echoed a statement from Conmebol - South America's governing body - in saying it would reject any attempt to remove Infantino without a vote involving all 211 Fifa member countries.Infantino is also unanimously backed by the 54 nations of the Confederation of African Football (Caf).Scrutiny not licence to distort facts - FifaInfantino called members of the Fifa management board to a meeting in Rabat, Morocco on Wednesday.Fifa issued a statement on behalf of Infantino and secretary general Mattias Grafstrom which apologised for the FFE proposal, but also said it would "no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process".The statement released late on Saturday evening was similarly defensive about the criticism the organisation has faced. "Change inevitably challenges established interests, but disagreement with that change cannot justify efforts to undermine the democratic mandate of Fifa's president or the institution he was elected to lead," it added."Fifa welcomes legitimate scrutiny. But scrutiny is not a licence to distort facts, amplify unsubstantiated allegations or manufacture distractions designed to undermine progress."Where reporting is inaccurate or misleading, Fifa will challenge it directly and vigorously."Politicians, private jets and power - the life of a Fifa presidentNorway call for Infantino to resign as Mexico and Conmebol chief back presidentFrance set to take part in U20 Women's World Cup

Adam Vinatieri's pretty confident his former coach can take a joke. The legendary kicker, who won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and one with the Indianapolis Colts, took a lighthearted jab at former Patriots coach Bill Belichick in his Hall of Fame acceptance speech on Saturday. Vinatieri beat Belichick to earning a Gold Jacket and reminded him of it, as Belichick was not voted into the Hall of Fame on his first chance, and didn't appear at Saturday's ceremony in Canton, Ohio. "I thought it was because training camp had already started," Vinatieri said regarding Belichicks absence, "but in truth its because he is judging his girlfriends cheerleading competition." Vinatieri was taking a jab at Belichick and his 25-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. After that comment, Vinatieri wised up and complimented Belichick: "All jokes aside, in my opinion, Bill is the greatest coach of all time." Surprisingly, Belichick didnt earn enough votes to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. In January's vote, he received 39 of 50, and the required threshold is 40. While Belichick was up for a Hall of Fame vote, he continues to coach at North Carolina, entering his second season with the Tar Heels after a disappointing 4-8 in 2025. He won six Super Bowls over 24 seasons as the Patriots head coach. The 2025 Hall Of Fame class included Vinatieri, Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Roger Craig. Vinatieri's speech also consisted of roasting former Colts quarterback Payton Manning and an introduction from owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon. "Peyton, thank you for generously donating your forehead for todays teleprompter," Vinatieri cracked. "A gigantic forehead means big brain and your football IQ is unmatched." Manning nodded his head with a smile from his seat among the Hall of Famers. Vinatieri retired with NFL records of 2,673 career points and 599 field goals. Only George Blanda (26) and Andersen (25) had longer NFL careers than Vinatieris 24 seasons. "When people hear the word greatness, they usually think about the biggest names on the biggest stages," Vinatieri said. "But greatness isnt created under bright lights. Greatness is built on empty practice fields when its below zero. Greatness is sacrificing temporary fun for meaningful outcomes. Greatness is turning doubt into belief. Preparation matters. Character matters. "And to all the doubters, thank you. Your criticism became fuel. Your doubt became motivation. You helped make me better." Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon introduced Vinatieri, who won his fourth Super Bowl with Indianapolis after earning three championship rings in New England.