Jude Bellingham scores off a corner in his Real Madrid debut
Jude Bellingham has a dream start at Real Madrid as he tallies his first goal off a corner kick.
There are other, legitimate worries for Madrid — Courtois’ ACL tear is a major setback, defender ?der Milit?o limped off here with what looked like another potentially serious injury, and there are doubts as to whether they’ll score enough goals if Mbapp? doesn’t end up arriving before deadline day — but their stacked midfield isn’t one of them. — Alex Kirkland
PSG are a work in progress
No Lionel Messi (in Miami), no Neymar (has a virus), no Mbapp? (in exile) and lots of problems for Paris Saint-Germain, as the Luis Enrique era began with an infuriating, inexplicable 0-0 home draw with Lorient on Saturday. A whopping 20 shots yielded no goals as it became clear just what a work in progress PSG suddenly are in 2023.
Goncalo Ramos (22 years old), Lee Kang-In (22) and Marco Asensio formed a new-look attacking trident and were lively if unsuccessful around goal. Ramos and Lee both brought out the best from Lorient keeper Yvon Mvogo in either half, with the Switzerland international equal to anything. He palmed away a curling Ramos effort from nestling in the top corner after just eight minutes, was equal to a Fabi?n Ruiz attempt with 15 minutes remaining, and smothered a Carlos Soler shot through a crowded area in injury time. Achraf Hakimi and Vitinha should have done better with second-half efforts that grazed the woodwork, but Lorient clung on despite just 20% of the ball all afternoon long.
PSG won’t be concerned about the result in the grand scheme of things — they generated chances, it’s Ligue 1 and they don’t really need to try until February or so — but the off-field issues with Mbappe (who is being kept away from the squad due to constant transfer links with Real Madrid) and Neymar (who is seemingly surplus to requirements) need to be resolved in order for this team to truly move forward. — James Tyler
Marco Asensio couldn’t inspire PSG to victory as the French champions were held to a 0-0 draw against Lorient on Saturday. Ibrahim Ezzat/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Luton’s Premier League debut
Luton Town‘s first appearance in English football’s top-flight for 31 years ended in the sort of scoreline that many predicted beforehand and will raise fears a long season lies ahead. The Hatters have never played in the Premier League — their previous appearance came in 1992, a year before the division was formed — and their stay could be a short one if Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Brighton is any gauge of what is to come. There were encouraging signs, at least in the way they defended resolutely for long periods and boss Rob Edwards will be proud his team stayed in the game until the final five minutes as Carlton Morris‘ 81st-minute penalty cut Brighton’s lead to 2-1.
However, although Brighton have ripped apart some of the best teams at Amex Stadium in recent times, it is a measure of the gulf in class that the home side enjoyed 71 per cent possession and registered 27 shots, 12 of which were on target. And that authoritative display came without Alexis Mac Allister — sold earlier in the summer to Liverpool — and Mois?s Caicedo, who could join him on Merseyside or move to Chelsea if they match the Reds’ ?111m offer. Jo?o Pedro and Simon Adingra marked their debuts with goals in a win Brighton thoroughly deserved. Luton made them work hard for it but doubts the league’s newcomers — boasting five debutants here — possess sufficient quality to thrive in the Premier League were only reinforced by events on the south coast. –– Olley
Valencia kids show relegation no sure thing
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SUNDAY, AUG. 11 (all times ET)o Feyenoord vs. Fortuna (8:25 a.m.)o Lokomotive vs. Frankfurt (9:20 a.m.)o Makkabi vs. Wolfsburg (9:20 a.m.)o Celta Vigo vs. Osasuna (11 a.m.)o Astoria vs. Union Berlin (11:50 a.m.)o Villarreal vs. Real Betis (1:30 p.m.)o Getafe vs. Barcelona (3:30 p.m.)
Valencia are many LaLiga watchers’ picks for relegation candidates this season, after another summer that has seen the squad weakened — with Yunus Musah and Edinson Cavani leaving, and Samuel Lino‘s loan coming to an end — and few new recruits coming in. Coach Ruben Baraja has been vocal about the need for reinforcements.
In the meantime, though, he’s been forced to rely on the same youngsters who saved Valencia last season, academy products who Baraja bravely brought into the side in a gamble that paid off when they avoided the drop on the last day of the campaign.
On Friday, it was midfielder Javi Guerra, 20, who scored the decisive 88th-minute goal in a 2-1 win at Sevilla. He was a second-half substitute, while the starting lineup also included Diego L?pez (21) and Fran P?rez (20), with Pablo Gozalbez (22) and Jes?s V?zquez (20) also introduced off the bench.
This reliance on homegrown talent is a necessity more than a choice, given the limited squad at Baraja’s disposal, but Guerra in particular looks to be a serious player in the making. His previous career highlight was scoring a crucial 90th-minute winner against relegation rivals Real Valladolid in April. Now he’s got another for his collection, a well-taken near-post finish that gave Valencia all three points at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Baraja will just be hoping that an opening day win won’t be taken by absentee owner Peter Lim as a signal that no signings are needed, after all. — Kirkland
And finally….
NFL legend Tom Brady recently announced his co-ownership of Championship club Birmingham City, and flew in on Saturday to watch his team defeat Leeds United 1-0 on their first home match of the season. On his way to the match, Brady posted on X “Any plans before kick off guys?”
His plans included a cameo at a pub, where he surprised BCFC fans, who will hope their club can enjoy a bit of the success that Brady achieved as an all-time NFL great.