Virgil van Dijk has slammed the “ridiculous” criticism Liverpool faced before they ended their Premier League losing streak against Aston Villa. The Netherlands defender has hit out at the negative “outside noise” which greeted a run of form which saw the Reds lose successive league games against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Manchester United and Brentford.
Salah and Gravenberch help Liverpool end losing streak
Liverpool returned to winning ways as they defeated Unai Emery’s Villa 2-0 on Saturday evening. Goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch helped Arne Slot’s side breathe a sigh of relief after a testing eight-game stretch in which they also suffered defeats against Galatasaray and Palace in the Champions League and Carabao Cup respectively.
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Van Dijk hits back at coverage of Reds' loss of form
Such was Liverpool’s worrying run of form that Van Dijk revealed earlier this month that he called a players’ meeting following the 2-1 reverse against United. However, the Dutchman has since criticised the reaction to what was a difficult period for the club, saying the coverage was akin to a side fighting relegation.
Speaking to after his side’s win over Villa, Van Dijk said: "What I have noticed over the last couple of weeks especially is that there is a lot of noise that you have no control over and that we have to deal with as a team.
"Some of those takes are absolutely ridiculous. But you have to deal with that. It's outside noise that can reach certain players, the group. It's about sticking together.
"We're not going out there on the pitch to lose games, we're not going out there to be disappointed after games or leave fans disappointed going home, we want to work our socks off and win games. But there's no guarantee. You play in the Premier League, the highest level, in the biggest league in the world, and it's difficult to stay calm but you have to do if you want to get back to where we want to be. That's up there. But that's something for later in the season to look at.
"Now it's time to keep working, never get too high, never get too low.
"We live in a world now, for footballers at least, because that's the only thing I can speak about, where everyone can have their opinion on so many platforms and everyone knows it better. We have to try to stay away from that and focus on the hard work we've been doing.
"Last season we didn't hear much negative stuff. Everything was sunshine and rainbows everywhere. Now it sounded like, by the outside world, we're going to be in the relegation battle, so that's how it works in the world.”
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Liverpool boss Slot hails supporters for sticking with team
Acknowledging that both he and his players had been rocked by their recent wobble, Liverpool boss Slot was keen to pay tribute to the Anfield faithful for getting behind the team when they really needed them against Villa.
Asked how much the supporters helped against Villa, Slot said: "A lot, of course. Especially because it happened at 0-0, so not when you are leading and not when you are top of the league but when you are in a difficult situation as a club, as a team and because I'm definitely a part of that, it's also a difficult situation for me.
"And then to get the support the players got but also I got, that is something that makes this club special, I think. They don't forget if you've been part of something special and they help you especially if things are difficult.
"And that's what it was the last few weeks, things were difficult, we were not winning, by the way, we were losing. And so they felt the players, maybe even me, needed a bit of support and that's what you get from these fans.”
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Alexander-Arnold and Alonso return to Anfield on Tuesday
Liverpool are looking to build on their victory over Villa when they entertain Real Madrid in a mouth-watering Champions League tie on Tuesday. The match will see former defender Trent Alexander-Arnold return to Merseyside for the first time after switching to the Spanish giants in the summer. Real boss Xabi Alonso – who represented the Reds as a player between 2004 and 2009 – also faces a reunion with his former club.
“He may be cast in bronze, but he’s still capable of producing truly golden moments”, were the words Jon Champion cried when Thierry Henry scored that goal for Arsenal.
Titi, as he became known, had been there and done it all with the Gunners.
A Highbury legend, the great Frenchman is the club’s all-time record goalscorer, he holds the record for the most assists (20) in a single Premier League season and has countless honours to show for his efforts.
He is a multiple Golden Boot winner, a league winner, an FA Cup winner and he even has a World Cup winner’s medal. He is, arguably, the greatest player never to have won a Ballon d’Or.
So, when he returned on loan from New York Red Bulls during Arsene Wenger’s final years in north London, he was only going to deal in one currency: goals.
While he may have been reduced to a bit-part player, the magic was still there, netting that vintage goal against Leeds in the FA Cup to which we’ve already referred, before scoring a winner against Sunderland.
Henry joins fellow club legends Dennis Bergkamp and Tony Adams in having been cast as a statue outside the Emirates Stadium.
Since those memories were erected, supporters have longed for similar times. They have not won the league since the Invincibles side of 2003/04. How they would love for that to change.
21 years on and there is a sense this is their greatest chance of winning it since. The likes of Bukayo Saka and Co may well find themselves cast in bronze outside the stadium before too long.
Why a statue awaits Bukayo Saka
Has the Emirates era ever seen a more dazzling player than Saka?
The likes of Robin van Persie, Cesc Fabregas, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez would all have something to say about that but none of them were loved quite as much as Saka.
He is Arsenal through and through. Born in London, raised in Hale End. The winger has been with the Gunners since he was a wee lad and has been the poster boy for Mikel Arteta’s project.
Saka’s emergence came under Unai Emery but it’s Arteta who has helped him become a household name, Arsenal’s talisman and one of the first names on the team sheet for England.
The 24-year-old’s rise to stardom has been quite something. Starting out in the senior ranks as a makeshift left-back, he is now ranked among the best wingers in the world. He’s done it Gareth Bale style and he’s now got the numbers to showcase why he’s quickly becoming an Arsenal legend.
No player has appeared more under Arteta than Saka and overall, he has now been seen decked in Arsenal colours on 272 occasions, scoring 73 and assisting 71 goals.
Arteta’s most used players
Player
Games
1. Bukayo Saka
252
2. Gabriel
221
3. Gabriel Martinelli
218
4. Martin Odegaard
204
5. Thomas Partey
166
6. Ben White
163
7. Eddie Nketiah
149
8. Granit Xhaka
147
9. William Saliba
144
10. Leandro Trossard
133
Saka only has one trophy to his name, an FA Cup, but if Arsenal’s vice-captain can help lead them to Premier League or Champions League glory, then he will surely be immortalised alongside Henry and Co outside the stadium.
Alongside him could well be the club’s new Adams.
Arsenal’s new Tony Adams is heading towards statue territory
Without Saka in recent years, Arteta’s attack would have lacked sparkle. After all, it is in the final third where their biggest problems have been found.
Largely due to Saka and Kai Havertz’s long-term hamstring injuries, the 2024/25 campaign was the first since 1923/24 that an Arsenal player failed to score double figures in the league.
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So what has the bedrock of Arteta’s success been built on? The defence.
When the Spaniard first took charge of Arsenal, the backline was a mess. His opening match in charge against Bournemouth saw Saka fielded alongside a pairing of Sokratis and David Luiz, while Ainsley Maitland-Niles featured at right back.
Sokratis and Luiz are far from the worst defenders Arsenal have had; think the likes of Rob Holding and Shkodran Mustafi in that regard.
That’s a sign of just how far the Gunners have come under Arteta’s stewardship. For those who criticise them for being boring, just think of what it used to be like.
Mikel Arteta’s first Arsenal XI
GK – Bernd Leno
RB – Ainsley Maitland-Niles
CB – Sokratis
CB – David Luiz
LB – Bukayo Saka
CM – Lucas Torreira
CM – Granit Xhaka
CAM – Mesut Ozil
RW – Reiss Nelson
LW – Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
CF – Alexandre Lacazette
The year before Arsenal’s former skipper returned to manage the club, 2018/19, the Gunners shipped 51 goals, the most they have ever conceded across a single Premier League campaign.
Fast forward to the present day and there is arguably no better defensive side in Europe. They are yet to concede across their three Champions League ties and have conceded just three goals in the Premier League, only one of which has been scored from open play. That came courtesy of Erling Haaland and we can excuse that. The man is a machine.
As a result, they are on course to concede just 14 league goals, thus bettering that remarkable campaign by Chelsea in 2004/05 when they let in only 15. That statistic still defies belief.
Arteta has strengthened his backline enormously and in Gabriel Magalhaes, he has found a player who may well be worthy of a statue once all is said and done. Indeed, he is the Tony Adams of the present day.
A ferocious leader, a damn good defender, and a scorer of goals, there isn’t a lot the Brazilian can’t do.
To think he once cost only £27m is incredible. He now looks every bit a £100m centre-back.
Over the last few years, it’s William Saliba who’s gained the most vocal praise from pundits. The French superstar is a Rolls-Royce defender but onlookers are quickly realising that it is indeed Gabriel who is the glue of this team.
Saliba oozes class and composure but Gabriel is certainly more of a leader of men. He not only does that with his talking but his actions speak a thousand words.
It was Jamie Carragher who admitted last season that the French defender looks a little lost when his partner in crime isn’t playing but the same cannot be said for Gabriel who is becoming Mr Reliable.
To rubber-stamp just how good the former Lille star is, he has won 77% of his ground duels in the league this season. For context, of English top-flight defenders to win more than ten ground duels, he ranks joint-fifth for percentage of ground duels won, sitting level with the great Virgil van Dijk.
But, it’s Gabriel’s offensive record that is the most striking. If a corner or free-kick gets swung, you can bet your house on the fact that the big Brazilian is likely to score a header from it. As Arsenal writer Adam Keys put it, he is a “colossus”.
He was involved in two of the goals against Atletico Madrid during the 4-0 win earlier in the week. Declan Rice’s swinging free-kick was nodded home to open the scoring and Gabriel then provided the assist from Rice’s corner for Viktor Gyokeres to bag his second of the evening.
The simple fact of the matter is that Gabriel is a clutch player. No centre-back in Europe’s top five leagues has scored more goals than his tally of 22 since 2020/21.
In league football alone, he has scored 18, a tally that places him second behind Laurent Koscielny (22) for goals scored by an Arsenal defender in the Premier League.
He is a modern-day great, a pillar of solidity, a warrior, a leader, a titan. Should Arsenal go on to create a title-winning dynasty, then Gabriel will surely be in with a shout of being cast in bronze. He is that good.
After they were placed into administration last Friday, Sheffield Wednesday have now received contact from American billionaire John Textor about buying the club.
The Owls knew the inevitable was coming for some time and it speaks volumes that many around the club will be relieved to be in administration rather than under the ownership of Dejphon Chansiri. His decade-long ownership has finally come to an end following a period in which staff and players went unpaid on a number of occasions.
Whilst there may be some light at the end of the tunnel off the pitch, however, Sheffield Wednesday have suffered on it. Henrik Pedersen’s side have been dealt an automatic 12-point deduction which has left them on -6 points and an impossible battle to stay up in the Championship.
Many have had their say on the consequences that they’ve been handed by the EFL, including Gary Lineker. The former Match of the Day host told The Rest is Football podcast: “They have gone into administration, obviously, and hopefully they can sort it all out. But they have got the 12-point penalty and are now on -6.
“I understand why clubs have to suffer repercussions, but I just think it’s like kicking a club when it’s down and at its lowest. We have had this with other clubs, and it just doesn’t sit well. It’s almost like the fans take the punishment.”
Julian Pitts, Kris Wigfield, Paul Stanley and Begbies Traynor have been appointed joint-administrators and are tasked with finding a suitable buyer for the club, with the EFL ready to relax their 21-day insolvency guideline to fast-track any potential sale.
John Textor makes contact with Sheffield Wednesday
According to reporter Alan Myers, Textor has now made contact with Sheffield Wednesday and their administrators about a potential deal to buy the club.
The American billionaire has also been linked with Wolverhampton Wanderers and it’s clear that he’s looking to invest in English football after selling his Crystal Palace shares in the summer.
That said, Sheffield Wednesday should proceed with caution. Having only just ended a toxic relationship with Chansiri, the last thing they need is another difficult ownership.
Textor stole the headlines when he resigned from his leadership position at Lyon after they were relegated to Ligue 2 amid financial problems. Although they have now been reinstated to France’s top flight and Textor remains a shareholder from afar, his day-to-day role received major protest from fans.
A repeat at Sheffield Wednesday is not guaranteed, but the Owls must ensure that Textor is right for them if they are to add themselves to his portfolio of clubs.
Sheffield Wednesday administrators reveal criteria owners must meet
Chelsea ran out 2-1 winners over Premier League champions Liverpool on Saturday despite fielding a weakened side, and Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards says a previously struggling player shined alongside Moises Caicedo.
Chelsea battle to dramatic 2-1 win over Liverpool
After what was a difficult last few weeks in the build up to their clash at Stamford Bridge, with reports even suggesting tension between Enzo Maresca and Chelsea’s board (Simon Phillips), the Blues couldn’t have gone into the international break on more of a high.
Supporters perhaps feared the worst, knowing that Maresca had precious few options to pick from defensively, with Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Levi Colwill and Tosin Adarabioyo all forced to miss Liverpool through injury or suspension.
Maresca elected to start youngster Josh Acheampong alongside Benoit Badiashile at the heart of Chelsea’s defence, and the duo managed to keep Arne Slot’s side fairly at bay as the West Londoners sealed a dramatic victory.
Caicedo opened the scoring with one of the goals of the season so far, thundering a long-range strike past Giorgi Marmadashvilli just 14 minutes into the keeper’s Premier League debut.
Cody Gakpo managed to grab one back for the visitors, but it was exciting teenage sensation Estevao Willian who scored next deep into added time — securing all three points as the delighted Maresca was sent off for his jubilant celebrations.
Caicedo and Estevao grabbed most of the headlines for their obvious contributions on an afternoon to remember for Chelsea, but a few other star performers deserve a worthy mention.
Star right-back Reece James was impeccable against Liverpool, and Chelsea will be praying the Englishman’s shin problem isn’t too serious after he withdrew from the England squad with Man City’s Nico O’Reilly replacing him.
Statistics
James
Match rank
Tackles
5
1st
Defensive actions
10
1st
Blocks
1
1st
Interceptions
2
2nd
Key passes
2
4th
Accurate passes
50
2nd
Duels contested
10
3rd
Duels won
8
1st
Aerial duels won
2
1st
Touches
83
1st
SofaScore rating
7.2
5th
As well as the aforementioned, redeemed star Enzo Fernandez once again proved very capable in his more advanced midfield role.
The Argentina international was struggling to justify his mammoth price tag around this time last year after a difficult start to life in London, but he’s since become a mainstay of Maresca’s midfield as Fernandez also attracts serious rumoured interest from Real Madrid.
Micah Richards says Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez now has "everything"
Speaking on The Rest is Football Podcast, Richards was effusive in his praise for the 24-year-old after Liverpool — saying Fernandez now has “everything” after becoming a “leader” at Chelsea.
Even taking into account the odd sub-par performance this season, Maresca has made it clear what he thinks of Fernandez, with the Italian underlining his plan to utilise the ex-Benfica star in an attacking midfield role more often than not.
The Tampa Bay Rays won't play at their home ballpark, Tropicana Field, for a long while due to the excessive damage brought by Hurricane Milton. Repairs to the roof and other key parts of the stadium won't be finished until 2026 and will cost as much as $55.7 million.
On Monday, the Rays released photos from inside the stadium that showed the utter devastation which took place under the Trop's roof in early October.
Tropicana Field was set to be a shelter for first responders and other storm workers before the roof was damaged. In the new photos, you can see the emergency beds that were set up in the outfield and throughout the field's foul territory. Those bunks are still sitting there, amongst the mess. A truly sad sight.
Pieces of the shredded roof are scattered everywhere throughout the stadium. From where major leaguers stepped up to the plate to the dugouts and all the areas where fans enjoyed their hot dogs and popcorn.
Hurricane Milton landed about 70 miles south of Tampa with 100-plus MPH winds on Oct. 10 as it ripped the roof off of Tropicana Field and devastated all that's inside.
With a horrible scene left behind, the Rays will go elsewhere for their home games in 2025. The team will play the next season at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., the 11,000-seat ballpark and spring training home field for the New York Yankees.
Normally when an MLB team clinches a playoff spot, the team celebrates by spraying and drinking champagne in the locker room.
However, when the Baltimore Orioles clinched a postseason spot after their 5–3 win over the New York Yankees on Tuesday, second baseman Jackson Holliday couldn't partake in the champagne celebration as he's only 20 years old.
The Orioles found a solution for Holliday to be able to participate with his teammates, though.
When Holliday arrived in the locker room, the Orioles surprised him with "Bird Bath Water," which looked like a champagne bottle but instead said "0.0% alcohol for Orioles under 21."
The team also had a corner specifically for Holliday with a sign that read "Baby's First Clinchmas 2024." The "Bird Bath Waters" were in a tub of ice alongside baby bottles. A baby Holliday jersey was hung up with children's colorings of the Orioles logos. It was quite the set up.
Holliday turns 21 in December, so he'll be able to participate in any future champagne celebrations the Orioles may have in the coming seasons.
The Orioles clinched the first American League wild card spot. The wild-card round begins on Tuesday, Oct. 1.
Aaron Judge has not been himself this postseason. The All-Star slugger that led MLB with 58 home runs in the regular season went a combined 1-for-11 (three walks) in the first three games of the ALDS after a New York Yankees Wild Card bye.
Finally, New York's captain came alive in Game 4, a 3–1 Yankees win over the Kansas City Royals that punched their ticket to the ALCS. Judge walked twice, doubled and appeared settled into a more comfortable lane than the one he had occupied most of the series.
He didn't drive a run in himself but put himself in position to be driven in by Giancarlo Stanton, who has played well all series, in the top of the sixth, a run that pushed the Yankees win percentage up to 87.3%.
Judge spoke to Jon Morosi after the game and gave a very simple explanation for his return to form at the plate:
"It's just timing, you know. You just gotta, you've got to be ready to hit. You know, if you're not ready to hit, you're not going to have a good chance."
The series underscored career-long struggles from Judge in the postseason, who is a career .201 hitter in the playoffs.
Judge's next opportunity to put those struggles behind him will be in the ALCS. The Yankees will go up against the winner of a winner-take-all Game 5 between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers on Saturday.
One Philadelphia Phillie definitely showed up to his team's playoff opener against the New York Mets Saturday afternoon: pitcher Zack Wheeler.
Wheeler was superb for seven innings, allowing one hit and zero earned runs while striking out nine and walking four. When he left Game 1 of the NLDS, however, the Phillies' lead was just 1–0.
Fortunes reversed spectacularly in the eighth inning, when the Mets put up five runs on their way to a 6–2 victory. After the game, Philadelphia's lack of production left first baseman Bryce Harper fuming.
"What can you say, man? (Wheeler) threw the crap out of it again," Harper said. "Every time he goes out there, he gives us a very good chance to win."
Wheeler made his second All-Star team in 2024 on the heels of a sixth-place finish in the National League Cy Young voting in 2023. He went 16-7 with 224 strikeouts and a 2.57 ERA this seaosn.
"I feel like as an offense we wasted that start," Harper continued. "It's the same thing, man. Chasing balls in the dirt… didn't work deep into counts like we should have. We've got to understand what they're trying to do to us and flip the switch as an offense."
The Phillies will attempt to right the ship Sunday with Cristopher Sanchez toeing the rubber, while righty Luis Severino will go for New York.
Tottenham Hotspur have now expressed an interest in signing a “world-class” forward, who Thomas Frank approved signing during the summer transfer window.
Spurs looking to sign new forward amid Tel and Odobert concerns
Frank strengthened his forward line during the summer transfer window, with Mohammed Kudus arriving from West Ham United, and the 25-year-old has emerged as a key player so far this season, chipping in with one goal and five assists in the Premier League.
However, there are concerns about the performances of some of the players who were already at the club, with journalist Andreas Vou particularly critical of the decision to bring in Mathys Tel and Wilson Odobert, rather than making one statement signing in attack.
The duo were benched for the 3-0 victory against Everton on Sunday, having picked up just one top-flight goal between them this term, and the Lilywhites have now set out to sign another new forward.
That is according to a report from Spain, which reveals Tottenham have now expressed an interest in signing Real Sociedad star Takefusa Kubo, who has been put up for sale by the La Liga club ahead of the January transfer window.
Kubo is now expected to leave Real Sociedad this winter, which could open the door for a move to N17, and there is a feeling he could now be available for the relatively affordable fee of €40m (£35m).
Manchester United and Everton are also in the race for the winger, and there are indications that Frank could be keen too, having already approved a move back in the summer transfer window.
"World-class" Kubo may need fresh start
The Japanese forward is clearly very talented, having received plaudits from former Barcelona boss Xavi in the past, who said: “(Takefusa) Kubo is a world-class footballer. Not just with the ball, but also without it.”
Tottenham now leading race to sign £70m pass-master from Champions League club
Spurs have taken the lead in the race for an “intelligent” midfielder
By
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The 24-year-old has also impressed at times over the past year, particularly catching the eye with his dribbling ability, ranking in the 94th percentile for successful take-ons per 90, when compared to other attacking midfielders and wingers.
That said, there may be concerns about some of the Japan international’s recent performances, given that he has provided just one goal for Real Sociedad in La Liga this term, while failing to pick up a single assist.
Kubo may simply need a fresh start in a new league, having been in La Liga since the 2019-20 campaign, so a move to Tottenham could be ideal, although his recent form means he would be a risky signing.
Nigeria players have boycotted training just two days before a crucial World Cup qualifying play-off against Gabon. The squad have downed tools due to issues with outstanding payments and have demanded a resolution before their next game. The Super Eagles must beat Gabon in their play-off semi-final to have any chance of securing a place at the 2026 World Cup after missing out on automatic qualification in the group phase.
Nigeria thrown into chaos
Nigeria's preparations for their crucial game have been thrown into chaos by the latest development during what's been a rocky time. Star striker Victor Osimhen was originally not named in the squad for the vital match but has since linked up with the team at their camp in Rabat, Morocco for the fixture. Meanwhile, Fulham star Alex Iwobi appeared to criticise the quality of the team's hotel in a video shared on social media. The video brought a strong response from supporters and led Iwobi to hit back, per talkSPORT. He said: “You see in life it’s all about perspective. Because I snapped the view I have people thinking, ‘this guys ungrateful’ I never said one thing. I just did one look and never said one thing. In life some people don’t have yards, some people don’t have beds, I’m comfy. I'm playing Mario Kart. What the hell? Just let me go and focus. We've got a big game coming up."
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Statement issued by Nigeria squad
The players' decision to boycott training ahead of the Gabon match has brought more disruption to their World Cup plans. A statement has been issued by the squad, urging a swift resolution to the problem: "The full squad, including officials, withheld from training today in Morocco because of unresolved issues with outstanding payments. The Super Eagles are awaiting a quick resolution to continue their preparations for Thursday’s game against Gabon. Thank you. From the players.”
Players are reportedly still waiting to receive bonuses that date back to 2019 and also include payments due after their qualification for the AFCON. Representatives from the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) have met with some of the squad but no agreement has yet been found.
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What do Nigeria need to qualify for World Cup 2026?
Nigeria were one of the four best runners-up in CAF qualifying but must find their way through the play-offs to make World Cup 2026 in what will be a precarious route, particularly due to the disruption to their pre-match preparations. The Super Eagles play Gabon in Morocco on Thursday, November 13, with the winners progressing to a final against Cameroon or DR Congo on Sunday, November 16. The winners of that game will then head to a further inter-confederation play-off stage in Mexico in March as Africa's sole representative. They will be joined by two teams from the Central America/Caribbean region plus Bolivia, New Caledonia and Iraq or the UAE, with the last two World Cup spots up for grabs.
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'Nothing is impossible' for Nigeria
Nigeria face a difficult task qualifying for World Cup 2026 but manager Eric Chelle, who has overseen eight wins from his 13 matches in charge so far, has sent out a defiant message to his team's suppporters. He told reporters: "Thanks to the fans. Thanks to Nigeria. I’m so happy to have brought smiles back to their faces. We beat Benin because the fans pushed the players. I ask them to do the same for the playoffs. I plan to give my best for Nigeria, and , we will go to the FIFA World Cup.
"I’ve created a bubble to stay focused on my goals. Before AFCON, our immediate target is the World Cup playoffs. The goal is to win against Gabon on 13 November, and if successful, the final on 16 November. This team has great players. If we stay serious, motivated, and united, nothing is impossible.”