Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson paid tribute to Steven Fletcher for the “immense” impact he has had after the veteran striker’s goal earned a 1-0 win over Notts County.
Former Scotland international Fletcher’s first-half finish proved decisive at the Racecourse Ground as the Dragons moved back into the top three, with David McGoldrick’s second-half strike for the Magpies contentiously being disallowed for handball.
Parkinson revealed he had doubts over Fletcher featuring in this match after falling ill following the midweek win over Sutton, but the 36-year-old’s training displays saw him start as the Wrexham boss lauded his contribution.
He said: “He’s been immense for us. He had a bit of a virus after the game Tuesday and he came in to see the doctor on Thursday, and I was a bit concerned about playing him, but then he trained yesterday and looked so sharp that it made our mind up with the way he trained.
“You don’t play at the level he has without being the consummate professional and that’s what he is.
“He looks after himself, he trains well, he does all his extra work and he’s enjoying playing and that’s great. He’s got a great enthusiasm to play and I love that. It’s great to see and it’s a great example for our younger players.
“It was a hard game, Notts are a good side, we know that, there’s always an edge between the two teams, and I thought it was a really good game and a great advert for the division.”
Fletcher’s goal ensured the Dragons claimed the season double over the side they battled for the National League title against in thrilling fashion last term.
Magpies boss Stuart Maynard was left frustrated after the officials ruled McGoldrick’s second-half finish for suspected handball, when replays appeared to show the ball struck his stomach area, and he felt it cost them at least a point.
Maynard said: “I thought the first half, we were outstanding as a group of players, to come here, Wrexham, and dominate the game totally.
“I think their goalie probably ends up man of the match just on his first-half performance alone, but the real frustration is we probably deserve a point minimum.
“It’s frustrating. We’ve watched the video back on Didzy’s (McGoldrick’s) goal, and it’s a clear goal. We’ve scored a legitimate goal that should have stood and it’s frustrating because we go away with nothing.
“It hits his chest around his stomach area as clean as you can see, so I don’t see where he sees the handball from.
“You look at the reaction, in football always look at the reaction of the opposition players, they’re going back to the halfway line. All their players already thinking the goal’s been given. That’s how you judge it a lot of the time and that’s how you should as a referee.
“We’re proud of the performance, it’s frustrating to not get something from the game though.”
Austin FC v Real Salt Lake: Wolff looking for solutions to lack of goals
Josh Wolff remains optimistic that Austin FC can improve on their play in the final third when they face Real Salt Lake in MLS on Saturday.
Wolff is under some pressure with Austin failing to win any of their last four league matches, scoring just two goals in that run.
They still have an outside chance of making the playoffs, currently sitting 11th in the Western Conference, but the head coach knows that will not happen if they do not score.
"The main thing is you've got to go out and win the next game," Wolff told reporters.
"We've got to have the same ideas that we've had and the same performances that we've had, we've just got to take our opportunities.
"I keep echoing that we've been one of the better-performing teams at both ends, but it's all for nought if we can't score goals and win games and that's the only part that's been lacking."
Meanwhile, RSL booked their place in the playoffs last weekend after a 3-3 draw with Portland Timbers, and currently sit second in the table.
That is partly down to their impressive home form, as they have failed to win their last four on the road.
With that in mind, head coach Pablo Mastroeni is still targeting improvements, especially in defense.
"The last two performances were spirited, were gritty," said Mastroeni, "and that comes from the players' mindset.
"This group is really coming into its own at the right time, and now we just have to minimize silly situations that we have complete control over.
"In the last two games we've given up three poor set pieces. What can we do more in those moments and in training? Life doesn't tell you when you're at risk."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Austin FC – Diego Rubio
Diego Rubio has scored six career goals against Salt Lake (incl. playoffs), tied for his most against any MLS opponent (also vs. Houston Dynamo & Minnesota United).
Only Jesus Ferreira (eight) and Sebastian Blanco (seven) have scored more against RSL since Rubio made his MLS debut in 2016.
Real Salt Lake – Cristian Arango
Cristian Arango has scored six career goals against Austin (incl. playoffs), tied for his most against any MLS opponent (also vs. FC Dallas & LA Galaxy).
No player has scored more than six goals against Austin in MLS play (regular season and playoffs).
MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW
Real Salt Lake have won back-to-back meetings with Austin, including a 5-1 victory when the sides met in Sandy on June 1. This is the first two-match winning streak by either team over the other.
However, RSL have lost four of their last five away matches in all competitions (D1), including the last three in a row. Salt Lake had lost only three of their previous 17 on the road in all competitions (W6 D8) prior to this run.
And Austin have struggled in recent home games, losing back-to-back matches after losing just two of their previous 14 matches at Q2 Stadium in all competitions (W8 D4). Austin have failed to score in two straight at home for the first time since July 2021 (three straight).
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Austin FC – 37.4%
Draw – 26.4%
Real Salt Lake – 36.2%
Leverkusen must be perfect in Bayern clash, Alonso warns
Bayer Leverkusen will need a perfect performance if they are to earn a result against Bundesliga title rivals Bayern Munich on Saturday, according to Xabi Alonso.
Leverkusen became the first team to go unbeaten through a Bundesliga campaign as they clinched their first title last season, ending Bayern's 11-year reign in the German top flight.
Bayern are determined to bounce back under new boss Vincent Kompany, though, and they sit three points clear of Leverkusen ahead of the teams' huge meeting at the Allianz Arena.
With four wins from four games and a goal difference of +13 (16 scored, three conceded), they have made the joint-best start to a season in Bundesliga history – only Bayern themselves in 2016-17 and Stuttgart in 1996-97 have matched that record.
Alonso is expecting a huge challenge against his former club, telling reporters: "The anticipation is great and we want to show a good game.
"We need a perfect performance to take something home with us. FC Bayern have made a good start to the season, it will be a challenge tomorrow.
"We need to play at our highest level, with and against the ball for 90 minutes. Bayern will go full throttle, we have to be ready for that."
Leverkusen have already conceded nine goals in the Bundesliga this term, the most they have allowed at this stage of a season since 2014-15 (also nine).
The last reigning champions to ship nine goals in their first four games of a campaign were Kaiserslautern in 1998-99, while the last holders to concede more were Bayern in 1974-75 (11).
After a rollercoaster 4-3 win over Wolfsburg last time out, Alonso is desperate to see his team tighten up at the back.
"The team has to be compact, we have to defend together as a team. We have a clear gameplan, we can't be too soft and we can't allow large gaps," Alonso said.
"We have a clear gameplan as to how we want to play. We will give everything... If we don't defend well, it's hard for the players to win. We want to be consistent. We don't want to be up and down."
Following their trip to Bayern, Leverkusen host Italian giants AC Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Kompany: Bayern relishing tough Leverkusen test
Vincent Kompany says Bayern Munich are relishing the prospect of facing champions Bayer Leverkusen as they look to re-assert themselves as top dogs in the Bundesliga.
Bayern have won all six of their matches in all competitions under Kompany, scoring 20 goals in their last three games, and sit top of the Bundesliga with a 100% record.
On Saturday, they host second-placed Leverkusen, who last season became the first team to finish a Bundesliga campaign unbeaten and lifted the trophy to end Bayern's run of 11 straight titles.
"It's good that everyone's excited about the game," Kompany told reporters.
"Obviously, it'll be an important game, against the best team from the last 12 months. We're looking forward to the game. It won't be easy.
"We want to test ourselves against a good opponent at the Allianz Arena. Bayern are always the favourites. We're looking forward to playing against the champions and want to win.
"The next game is what counts in football. If you've performed well, you need to keep going.
"We've scored 20 goals in the last three games, but it's my job to show what we can do better. Anything is possible in a game like against Leverkusen. We'll prepare the team to perform to their max on Saturday. Then we move on."
While Bayern's attack has made headlines in recent weeks, their early-season success has also been founded on defensive solidity, with two clean sheets in their four league matches.
In their 5-0 win over Werder Bremen last week, Bayern did not allow their opponents to record a single shot. Bremen also had just 10 touches in the opposition box and entered the final third just 29 times across the 90 minutes.
Kompany hailed the team's collective defensive effort, adding: "We didn't allow a single chance against Bremen. That's not just down to the defence.
"We need to do everything as a team. We've done that very well in the last few games. I have a lot of trust in the squad."
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