Minnesota United "justified the work" they did in preparing for a penalty shootout after beating Real Salt Lake, so says Eric Ramsay.

Loons coach Ramsay invited the club's office staff to attend the training ground and jeer his players during penalty practice ahead of Minnesota's playoff opener against Salt Lake.

After a 0-0 draw, Minnesota came away with a 5-4 shootout victory to take the edge in the best-of-three series, meaning a win at home on Saturday would get them into the next round.

And Ramsay believes his unorthodox method of preparation paid off.

"I would like to think that probably, without that, the players wouldn't have had the level of conviction they largely showed," Ramsay said.

"It was a bit of fun. There was a real sense of us being intentional behind that.

"I was really pleased that we included that as part of our prep.

"I don't think there were big chances given up either way.

"I sort of felt like as we opened up, we started to leak a little bit more space that wasn't there in the opening stages.

"[Goalkeeper] Dayne [St. Clair] was called into action a couple more times, and so was [Salt Lake goalkeeper] Zac MacMath. So I think it was a very even game, and given that we're coming here as the away team under challenging conditions, that's hats off to us.

“It felt like if we if we won, it would have justified the work. If we lost, there wouldn't have been anything we could have done differently.

"We were very solid, very disciplined, and that's one goal allowed in six games, which is very difficult to achieve at this level.

"I'm pleased with the defensive effort. I was also pleased that we were able to start to find a foothold in the game with the ball and create a couple of really good chances."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Minnesota United - Dawyne St. Clair

St. Clair made six saves in Game 1, and has been in fine form as of late.

United has allowed only one goal in their last six matches going back to the end of the regular season, going unbeaten in that time (W4 D2). This is the first time in club history that the Loons have allowed just one goal in a span of six matches in all competitions.

Real Salt Lake - Cristian Arango

Arango attempted five shots in Game 1, the most shots attempted by a Salt Lake player in a postseason match since Damir Kreilach had six attempts against Sporting Kansas City in the 2018 playoffs.

MATCH PREDICTION: MINNESOTA WIN

Salt Lake have managed just four wins in 21 all-time away playoff matches (D7 L10) including going winless in four straight (D2 L2). RSL lost on penalties in each of the last two away matches that ended in draws (2022 at Austin FC, 2023 against the Houston Dynamo).

After Tuesday's win on spot-kicks, Minnesota have been involved in seven penalty shootouts in all competitions since joining MLS in 2017, winning six of them, including the last four in a row.

The last five meetings between Minnesota and Salt Lake have been drawn after 90 minutes.

Including playoffs, the only matchup that has been drawn six straight times in MLS play is between the Chicago Fire and the New York Revolution, who played in six straight draws from 2021 to 2024.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Minnesota United - 44.5%

Real Salt Lake - 28.6%

Draw - 26.9%

Campion College and Hydel High booked their spots in the Inter-secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA)/Digicel Manning Cup quarterfinal round after both registered 1-0 wins over St Jago and Wolmer’s Boys in their respective second round group encounters on Friday.

The win for Campion College saw them finish second in Group One on six points, behind reigning champions Mona High, who blanked many times champion St George’s College 3-0 to finish on maximum nine points.

St George’s placed third on three points and missed out on the quarterfinal along with St Jago, who ended without point. However, both will have a shot at the Walker Cup knockout title.

The same is true for perennial semi-finalist St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) and 10-time winners Wolmer's Boys, who were both eliminated from the Manning Cup.

Wolmer’s Boys’ loss to Hydel saw them finish at the foot of Group Three with a point, while STATHS’ 1-0 win over group winners Kingston College was not enough to see them through. They finished third on four points, as Kingston College and Hydel took the top two spots with six points each.

Kingston College, Campion College, Mona High and Hydel are joined by Group Four leaders St Catherine (six points) and Group Two leaders Excelsior (six points) in the quarterfinal, with Jamaica College, Tivoli Gardens and Eltham on the hunt for the other two spots.

Friday’s results

Campion College 1, St Jago 0

Mona High 3, St George’s College 0

Hydel High 1, Wolmer’s Boys 0

STATHS 1, Kingston College 0

Saturday’s fixtures

St Catherine vs Jamaica College

Calabar vs Charlie Smith

Excelsior vs Jonathan Grant

Tivoli Gardens vs Eltham

*All games are scheduled for 3:00pm

Brian Schmetzer believes the Seattle Sounders are in control of their playoff destiny after edging out the Houston Dynamo in Game 1 of their best-of-three series.

After a goalless encounter, the Sounders held their nerve in the shootout, scoring all five spot-kicks before Erik Sviatchenko's miss proved costly.

They also stopped their opponents from registering a single shot on target, marking the fourth time the Sounders have achieved that milestone in a playoff match, and will be looking to do the same in their second encounter.

"Right now it doesn't matter how we played, really. We're in control and we won,” Schmetzer said. "This was going to be a tight series because the two teams are very good defensively.

"We've had our challenges this year sometimes scoring goals. Did we create enough? Those are all valid questions. Again, I would just repeat that those guys put the effort in. We were close on a couple of occasions."

Seattle goalkeeper Stefan Frei is also on the verge of history, with his shutout in the first game his 14th playoff clean sheet, needing one more to go level with LA Galaxy’s Kevin Hartman for the MLS record.

"Stef has an opportunity in Houston to tie for number one [all-time]," Schmetzer pointed out.

"So that's a goal that he can reach, he can attain, and let's see if he can do that. Because that would give us the best chance of ending the series in Houston."

For Houston, meanwhile, their cruel defeat in Game 1 was partly down to their own doing, so says head coach Ben Olsen.

The Dynamo boss acknowledged his side did not do enough in the final third, not helped by Adalberto Carrasquilla’s red card, which will see him miss the upcoming encounter.

Though the performance did not come as a surprise to Olsen, given the two sides’ defensive record in the regular season, he wants to see improvements at the Shell Energy Stadium this time around.

“It was hardly surprising. They are the best defensive team in the league. We are also one of the better defensive teams in the league, but then you add the playoffs to it,” Olsen said.

“It’s a heightened game of being alert defensively. You have these kind of games in the playoffs. We didn’t do enough to create better opportunities for ourselves to win that game.

“Some of that is our doing, some of it is that we’re playing a good defensive team. I said this leading up to the game, we are not going to get a lot of chances.

“We may get a few big ones and you have to finish them. It will be a similar situation at home, they are not going to turn into a bad defensive team overnight.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Houston Dynamo – Amine Bassi

In a team that is not filled with goals, Bassi has impressed for Houston, with his 10 goal involvements (three goals, six assists) in the regular season, a total only bettered by Ibrahim Aliyu (10) for the Dynamo.

The Moroccan also created more chances (79) than any of his team-mates, and his creative flair will be needed to unlock the Sounders’ defence.

Seattle Sounders – Albert Rusnak

Rusnak has played a starring role for Seattle this term, with only Jordan Morris (17) scoring more goals in the regular season for the Sounders than the Slovakian.

Despite not hitting the back of the net in Game 1, Rusnak notched four goal involvements (two goals, two assists) in three games heading into the postseason.

MATCH PREDICTION: HOUSTON DYNAMO WIN

The Dynamo have lost only two of their 18 all-time home playoff matches (W12 D4), though one of those defeats was against Seattle in the 2017 Conference Finals. Houston won nine of their first 10 home playoff matches but have won just three of eight since (D4 L1).

Seattle, however, have won six of their last seven away matches, including the last three in a row, all with clean sheets. This is the second time they have kept three straight away clean sheets in all competitions since joining MLS in 2009, also doing so between June and July 2011.

They have also lost only two of their last 23 matches against the Dynamo in all competitions, including securing a shootout win after a scoreless draw at home in Game 1. Houston have also failed to score in 12 of their last 18 meetings with the Sounders.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Houston Dynamo – 42.1%

Draw – 26.7%

Seattle Sounders – 31.2%

Xabi Alonso believes Bayer Leverkusen delivered their most complete performance in the Bundesliga despite being held to a goalless draw against Stuttgart on Friday. 

Leverkusen missed the chance to close the gap at the summit of the league table, despite dominating proceedings at the BayArena throughout. 

The hosts twice struck the woodwork in either half through Edmond Tapsoba and Victor Boniface, while Florian Wirtz was denied by a wonderful stop from Alexander Nubel late on.

Leverkusen ended the contest with an expected goals (xG) total of 2.19 compared to Stuttgart's 0.28, further emphasising the superiority they had over their opponents. 

The result saw Alonso's side produce their second-highest underperformance in terms of their xG since the Spaniard took over the club in 2022, though the Leverkusen boss was happy with his side's display. 

"We are unhappy. We thought we had done enough to win it," Alonso said. "We pressed well. Our players showed a lot of energy to press a lot.

"We created a lot of chances in the first half. But we also had chances in the second half."

"Maybe the most complete performance from us even though we did not score. It was a top game.

"From Monday we focus on Liverpool. A big game, to play in Anfield," said the former Liverpool player.

But Leverkusen's struggles away from home continued. Alonso's side have now just won one of their last five league games, drawing the other four. 

They remained third in the Bundesliga table, but are now four points behind RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, who now both have a game in hand.

"It is still early in the season," Alonso said when asked about the growing gap with the league leaders. "There are enough games. We want to keep going."

Carlton Morris is confident that Luton Town's "ruthless streak" will return after they came from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw with West Brom on Friday. 

Having dominated the first half at Kenilworth Road, the Hatters found themselves behind when Josh Maja neatly flicked Karlan Grant's cross beyond Thomas Kaminski. 

But Luton drew level on the hour-mark when Tahith Chong picked off Alex Mowatt's loose pass before driving a low strike into the far corner. 

The visitors did, however, have a chance to snatch all three points two minutes from time, but substitute Devante Cole saw his acrobatic effort brilliantly saved by Kaminsiki. 

Luton remain just outside the relegation zone on goal difference, and have now just picked up five points from an available 21 in their last seven games. 

Rob Edwards' side have also scored just 15 times this term, but Morris, who scored eight times in the Premier League last season, believes it is only a matter of time before they put their chances away. 

"I think it's another excellent performance from us at home. It's three on the bounce now for performances we can be proud of," Morris told Sky Sports.

"It would just be nice to bring the points as well.

"We're getting the balls in the right areas so much, it's just that bit of quality, that ruthless streak at the end that we're missing at the moment. But it will come."

For West Brom, it is now five consecutive draws in the Championship, with their fine start to the campaign briefly halted. 

The Baggies remain in the play-off picture, but could drop out of the top six over the weekend if Blackburn Rovers, Watford and Norwich City win their games. 

Carlos Corberan's side managed just three shots on target from the 10 attempts they had, accumulating an expected goals (xG) total of 0.73, but the West Brom boss said mistakes ultimately cost his side. 

"I think in general it was difficult to impose our identity today. We knew that they would be aggressive in the press when we had the ball in our half," Corberan said. 

"But for me, we didn't find a way in the first-half to create the game we wanted to create. That was to play the game in the attacking half.

"In the second-half, the team went on the pitch with the idea to see if we could correct it and play better.

"We tried to play from the back but we lost the ball and they scored the goal. They created the mistake with aggressiveness.

"And then in the end, the reaction of the team, we tried to go for the result we wanted to achieve. But in general, it's a game we didn't do many things to get more than a point.

"We didn't manage the game well enough to achieve a positive result."

Bayer Leverkusen missed the chance to close the gap at the Bundesliga summit after a wasteful display saw them draw 0-0 with Stuttgart.

Leverkusen remain third in the standings, four points behind RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich, who play Borussia Dortmund and Union Berlin respectively on Saturday.

Xabi Alonso's side dominated proceedings from the first whistle, registering 10 attempts in the first half, though only three were on Alexander Nubel's goal. 

They came closest to breaking the deadlock five minutes before the break when Edmond Tapsoba rattled the crossbar with a thumping header. 

Leverkusen struck the woodwork again shortly after the restart, this time through Victor Boniface, as the Stuttgart net continued to live a charmed life at the BayArena. 

Boniface was then denied by a miraculous save by Nubel in the 73rd minute, before the visiting goalkeeper denied Florian Wirtz to seal a share of the spoils for Stuttgart. 

Data Debrief: All bark, no bite

Leverkusen lacked the attacking spark that helped them romp to the Bundesliga title, and this result could prove pivotal in their attempts of reclaiming their league crown. 

The goalless draw saw the hosts underperform their expected goals (xG) value by 2.19. Only in a 0-0 draw with Borussia Monchengladbach last season have they underperformed their xG value more in a league game under Alonso (3.0). 

Boniface was arguably the biggest culprit for wasting those golden opportunities. He had four shots, with two of those on target, while he also missed three big chances. 

Los Angeles FC goalkeeper Hugo Lloris has demanded more from his team-mates if they are to replicate their U.S. Open Cup triumph in the MLS playoffs.

LAFC edged the first game of their best-of-three series against the Vancouver Whitecaps, with Denis Bouanga and Cristian Olivera on target for Steve Cherundolo’s side.

But Lloris, who joined the Black and Gold from Tottenham almost a year ago, was not impressed by his side’s showing and insists they must improve when they travel to BC Place.

"The performance is not enough, but we got the result so that's the most important thing," Lloris said.

"I think we need to increase our level if we want to have a mission. A win is a win, so that's positive."

"If we want to have a mission in this MLS Cup [playoffs], we need to do even better. "But I believe. We can do it.

"We need to realise that a game like tonight, we didn't feel safe until the end. So we have to do better."

Defender Aaron Long echoed Lloris’ thoughts, saying: “It’s definitely a job's-not-done mentality. We have one more game, potentially two more games.

"But I think a lot of us weren't happy giving up that goal late as well.”

“We want to finish that in a professional manner and end the game 2-0, even if it doesn't carry over on aggregate. 

"At least as a defender, that subdued me a tiny bit. But we'll look at the film again, a great win at home, and on to the next one.”

For Vanni Sartini, meanwhile, he acknowledged that his side were the better team in Game 1, but said that even playing well against LAFC, who topped the Western Conference in the regular season, would not be good enough.

But knowing they must win the game to keep their playoff campaign rolling, Sartini wants that little bit extra from his players, something he hopes will come from the home supporters inside BC Place.

“The main takeaway from the game is that playing well is probably not enough against them. We need to play well like we did in the last game, but we also need to have a little bit extra,” Sartini said.

“That can be the extra performance of individuals or even the extra courage that we need to have when we are attacking. I think we need this kind of extra.

“Hopefully, playing at home is going to help us win the game on Sunday.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Vancouver Whitecaps – Ryan Gauld

Gauld scored Vancouver’s only goal on Sunday after netting a hat-trick in the Wild Card Round against Portland Timbers in midweek.

The Scot is the first player in the Whitecaps’ MLS history to score in consecutive playoff matches.

LAFC - Denis Bouanga

Bouanga has scored in all three of his postseason meetings with the Whitecaps, the sixth player in MLS history to score in three straight playoff games against a single opponent.

No player in league history has scored in four straight postseason games against a single team, though the Gabon international will have his eyes set on making history this time around.

MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN

LAFC have won three of their last four away matches against Vancouver in all competitions (D1), including a 1-0 win in last season’s playoffs and a 2-1 win in October in the league. LAFC had won only one of their first five road matches against Vancouver (L4).

They have also won seven straight matches in all competitions dating back to winning the US Open Cup Final in late September. LAFC has won 26 of their last 36 matches in all competitions (D5 L5) dating back to late April after opening the season with four wins in 11 games (D3 L4).

The Whitecaps, meanwhile, will be looking to return to winning ways at home. They have lost three straight home matches in all competitions for the first time since July 2019. Since joining MLS in 2011, Vancouver have never suffered four straight home defeats in all competitions.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Vancouver Whitecaps – 28.4%

Draw – 24.4%

LAFC – 47.2%

Girona head coach Michel insisted that his side will rediscover the form that earned them Champions League football last season once their injured players return. 

Girona find themselves 13th in the LaLiga standings after 11 games this season, but have been hit with several injuries to a plethora of first-team starters. 

The likes of Oriol Romeu, Jhon Solis, Portu, Yaser Asprilla, Ivan Martin, Abel Ruiz, Viktor Tsygankov, Pau Lopez, Cristhian Stuani and Yangel Herrera have all missed significant amounts of game time already this term. 

Michel, however, is expected to welcome Romeu, Stuani and Herrera back into the side for the visit of Leganes, who are one place below them in the table. 

But the Girona head coach insisted he would not rush players back into first-team action, but is hoping to welcome more of his injury absentees back for their Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven next week. 

"I am a realistic person and I look ahead. I have no doubt that when the injured recover, the team will be fine and will play well," Michel said. 

"I can't predict what people think. We will be a competitive team that can beat anyone.

"Stuani, Romeu and Herrera are back. Jastin and Tsygankov are not far away and Lopez might be available for Tuesday's (Champions League) game against PSV.

"You have players who are close to returning, but we want them to recover well and to be really ready..."

Girona are without a win in consecutive games in LaLiga, but did get themselves a much-needed victory in the Copa del Rey, sweeping aside CD Extremadura 4-0. 

And that will give them confidence of returning to winning ways in the league, and they boast an impressive record against this weekend's opponents. 

They have not lost any of their four matches against Leganes in the league (W2 D2), keeping a clean sheet in all of them. 

Nuri Sahin confirmed that Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel will miss their upcoming Bundesliga fixture with RB Leipzig this weekend. 

Kobel, who has kept four clean sheets in 13 appearances in all competitions this season, sustained a hip injury in Tuesday's DFB Pokal defeat to Wolfsburg. 

The Switzerland international becomes the latest name to be sidelined for Dortmund, who have failed to win their last three games in all competitions. 

Sahin is already without Karim Adeyemi, Julien Duranville, Gio Reyna, Kjell Watjen, Niklas Sule, Julian Ryerson, and Yan Couto, among others.

"Clearly it is a difficult situation with the defeats and the Cup exit, a competition we had high expectations for," Sahin told a press conference.

"The injury list with this squad is extremely bitter. With Greg (Kobel) out now we have 10 players out.

"Ten players injured. That's something I have not experienced before. How do we get out of it? We won't hide behind excuses. The lads are well prepared."

Dortmund come into the encounter after earning 13 points from their first eight games, their worst start to a Bundesliga season since 2014-15. 

Sahin's struggles have been away from home in the league this term, failing to win any of their five games while also conceding 10 goals during those matches.

But they have won each of their last eight home games in all competitions, their longest run since between November 2022 and May 2023 (11).

Dortmund are the only team yet to drop a point at home in the Bundesliga this season (four home wins) and have collected 12 of their 13 points at the Westfalenstadion. 

And Sahin is confident that their run on home soil will help them stop their current losing streak. 

"We are well prepared and we play at home. And at home it is difficult to beat us," Sahin said.

"I know my role and the players know their roles. We have to go through this. We have to work our way out of this situation."

"We need the stadium tomorrow more than ever. I'm sure the stadium will have a feel for our situation. We want to continue our home streak."

However, Dortmund have lost six of their last seven competitive games against RB Leipzig, with their only win coming in a 2-1 victory in the 2022-23 campaign. 

They had previously gone on an eight-match unbeaten run against Die Roten Bullen in all competitions (W6, D2).

Nick Cushing acknowledged the importance of New York City FC’s supporters at Citi Field for Game 2 of their best-of-three series MLS playoff clash with FC Cincinnati.

Yamil Asad’s only goal handed the Orange and Blue a slender advantage heading into their upcoming encounter, though the Pigeons head coach was confident about his sides chances on home soil.

NYCFC won 10 games at Citi Field during the regular season, with only Inter Miami (11) winning more in the Eastern Conference.

And Cushing believes that his players must start the game well to ensure their home fans generate an “incredible” atmosphere to push them over the line.

“We love playing at home in front of our people,” Cushing said. “I said post-game - irrelevant of what happened in Cincinnati - we're now playing in front of our people, and that is where we play our best football, but we need everybody behind us.

“The players are incredibly hungry. They have a huge desire to win this football game and to make sure that we win the game with our people. They've been amazing all season. I can always go back to the Miami game [this season]. That was incredible.

“It was actually interesting because the Miami game at Yankee Stadium was an amazing game in front of our fans. Our fans delivered so much for us, but the last playoff game I did at Citi Field was also against Miami.

“That was an incredible atmosphere and a good performance from the team. We know that if we play well and we start well we get our people behind us, and that is our aim.”

Pat Noonan, meanwhile, expects another difficult “chaotic” playoff encounter, evident when NYCFC’s goalkeeper Matt Freese was sent up from the back late on to try and steal a point in the opening game.

Cincinnati boasts an impressive record away from home, though, and Noonan said the ending of their previous match was a timely reminder to his players about the aggressive nature of the postseason.

“On Monday, we experienced what it looks like when there is no aggregate, and that’s teams going for it with no repercussions if they concede another goal,” Noonan said.

“We have a one goal lead, and they were going after it. You could see it when the goalkeeper came up at the end. It’s a little bit chaotic, so you must be prepared for it.

“That was a good reminder of what the game can look like when you’re playing with a lead and, on the other side of it, the ability to go after it in a very aggressive way to find the leveller – that was the reminder we needed from that particular game.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

NYCFC – Alonzo Martinez

Since his move to NYCFC in August 2023, Martinez has found home comfort at Citi Field, netting 11 of his 16 goals in the 2024 regular season on home soil.

Along with team-mate Santiago Rodriguez, who scored in 10 of his 12 games at home, the Pigeons, along with Inter Miami (Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez), were the only two teams to feature two different players with 10 home goals this term.

Cincinnati – Luciano Acosta

Acosta continued his fine regular season form into the postseason, setting up Asad for the only goal in Cincinnati’s 1-0 win in Game 1 on Monday.

The Argentine has now scored (three) or assisted (three) in six of Cincinnati’s 10 all-time playoff goals.

MATCH PREDICTION: NYCFC WIN

The Pigeons have won five of their seven home matches against Cincinnati (D1 L1), though both of Cincinnati’s games away from home against NYCFC have come in their three visits since 2022.

NYCFC have lost only four of their last 25 home matches in all competitions dating back to late August 2023 (W15 D6). They have won their last two home matches, scoring three goals in each, including a 3-2 win over Cincinnati in October. 

However, Cincinnati, along with Inter Miami, won 11 away matches in the 2024 regular season, equalling CF Montreal’s single-season MLS record set in 2022. They only managed two wins in their last six on the road (D1 L3) though, after winning nine of their first 11 away matches in 2024 (D1 L1).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

NYCFC – 43.7%

Draw – 26.8%

Cincinnati – 29.5%

Antonio Conte insisted that Napoli's chances of a Scudetto triumph in his first season in charge required more work rather than prayers. 

Napoli are top of the pile in Serie A, with their 2-0 win over Milan in midweek putting them four points ahead of defending champions Inter in the early season standings. 

It's a remarkable turnaround from last term, with Napoli finishing 10th in their Scudetto defence, seeing both Rudi Garcia and Walter Mazzarri lose their jobs. 

After Conte started his Napoli tenure with a 3-0 defeat to Hellas Verona on the opening day of the season, they have gone undefeated in their next nine games. 

That includes winning the last five league games in a row for the first time since a run of eight under Luciano Spalletti between January and February 2023. 

This season, only Barcelona (10) have won more games than Napoli (eight) across the top five European leagues, though Conte was reserved when asked about his team's chances of winning the title.

"I am a man of faith, even practically, and I know only one person who performs them," Conte told a press conference.

"I always pray, even for the team, that they are well. In addition to my family, there is also a prayer for the players.

"We must work, all of us, from the cook and the kit man to create something beautiful that can give extra points in a championship.

"We cannot make any mistakes in this, we are not in a position to make mistakes.

"Then, football miracles have always happened, but you have to work to hope it happens, it's not enough to pray."

Napoli welcome Atalanta to the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, with Conte aiming to become the first coach in the club's history to win each of his first six home games in Serie A. 

Since 2022, Napoli have won four of their five league meetings against Atalanta. In this period, Gian Piero Gasperini's side have only lost more games to Inter (D1 L5). 

But Atalanta have impressed under Gasperini, winning the Europa League last season with a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the final. 

Gasperini finished behind Luis de la Fuente, Xabi Alonso and winner Carlo Ancelotti for the Men's Johan Cruyff Trophy, an accolade given to football's best coach last season at Monday's Ballon d'Or ceremony. 

Conte was full of praise for his opposite number, however, saying: "They have been in the Champions League for years, it is a team that today must be counted among the strongest, without a doubt.

"Credit to the club, to Gasperini, who has done an extraordinary job in all these years, and I have great respect for Gian Piero.

"When I played at Juventus he was coach of the youth team.

"I respect him a lot. Through hard work, he has achieved results. You don't win the Europa League if you are not strong."

Rob Valentino is confident Atlanta United can overcome their one-goal deficit against the “superstars” of Inter Miami in Game 2 of their best-of-three series in the MLS playoffs.

The Five Stripes lost their opening game of the postseason 2-1, with Jordi Alba’s long-range stunner sealing the triumph for Inter Miami, who will look to book their place in the next round with a victory.

But ahead of the encounter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, interim head coach Valentino was excited to welcome the Herons to Georgia, believing his side are not out of the fight just yet.

“I’m already buzzing about what that place is going to be like,” Valentino said.

“My message to the team was that these people are waiting to cheer for you, you’ve been three on the road to finish into the playoffs and you can feel the buzz getting back for them.

“Even all the people coming to see [Lionel] Messi, no problem. I love it, because eventually, like last time when things were going well, they were also cheering [for us].

“I get it, come to see the superstars, come and see our team fight and compete but these boys aren’t done yet.”

Inter Miami, meanwhile, will be looking to build on their win from Game 1, a game that their dominance was not reflected by the scoreline.

The Herons managed 22 shots, 12 of which were on target, compared to Atlanta’s eight shots with only two on Drake Callender’s goal.

Gerardo Martino’s side were met with the imposing figure of Brad Guzan, who made nine saves during the contest.

The Miami head coach believes had it not been for the veteran shot stopper, the game could have been out of site.

“It was a match where what I liked the most was the control we had on the field for almost the entire game,” Martino said.

“We didn’t make many mistakes that would allow the opponent to break out into space. We had five clear chances in the first half, and one of them came very close to the post.

“We were patient. I believe that if it weren’t for Brad (Guzan)’s performance, the match should have ended with a clear difference.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Messi carried his fine form into the postseason, notching the assist for Alba’s winning goal against the Five Stripes in Game 1.

Across the Leagues Cup, US Open Cup, Concacaf Champions Cup and MLS Cup Playoffs, he has appeared in 10 knockout round matches for Inter Miami (single and multi-leg) and contributed to at least one goal in all of them (nine goals, five assists).

Atlanta United - Pedro Amador

Amador set up Saba Lobjanidze for Atlanta’s only goal in Game 1 on Friday, his sixth assist for the Five Stripes in the regular season and playoffs since debuting for the club in late August.

Only Alba (nine) and Riqui Puig (seven) have more assists than Amador in that time (including the playoffs).

MATCH PREDICTION: INTER MIAMI WIN

Inter Miami’s victory over Atlanta in Game 1 was the club’s 23rd MLS win of the campaign (regular season and playoffs). The only two teams in the post-shootout era with more wins in a single season, including playoffs, were Atlanta United (25) and the New York Red Bulls (24).

However, Atlanta are unbeaten in their last five home matches against Inter Miami (W4 D1), though Miami’s 2-2 draw at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 18 ended a four-match home winning streak for the Five Stripes.

The Herons’ only-ever win at Atlanta was a 2-1 victory in September 2020, but they will have confidence of adding another on enemy territory.

Atlanta have won only four of their last 18 home matches in all competitions (D6 L8) dating back to April, however. The Five Stripes won just six regular-season home matches in 2024, their fewest in a full regular season in club history (excluding the shortened 2020 season).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Atlanta United – 27.8%

Draw – 24.1%

Inter Miami – 48.1%

Vincent Kompany said he would wait until Saturday to decide whether Eric Dier and Dayot Upamecano are fit enough to return to action for Bayern Munich. 

Bayern welcome Union Berlin to the Allianz Arena, hoping to maintain their advantage over RB Leipzig at the summit of the Bundesliga standings.

Both Dier and Upamecano are nursing injuries, with the former Tottenham defender replaced by Arijon Ibrahimovic in Bayern's DFB-Pokal win over Mainz in midweek. 

Upamecano also missed the trip to the Mewa Arena with a thigh injury, only adding to the defensive woes Kompany has suffered this season. 

Bayern are already without Hiroki Ito, Sacha Boey and Josip Stanisic, but Kompany is yet to make a decision on Dier and Upamecano's role in Saturday's fixture. 

"It's a pity when players are unavailable. I have 18 fit players, so I have 18 options for the positions," Kompany told a press conference.

"There have obviously been a lot of games in the last few weeks. I have full confidence in the other boys and in the squad."

"The tendency (for Dier and Upamecano) is good but still I will take my time until tomorrow. But it looks good."

During their win over Mainz on Wednesday, Kompany was forced to play a central defensive partnership made up of Leon Goretzka and Konrad Laimer. 

And the Bayern boss was not against starting that same duo against Union Berlin this weekend after their strong showing in the DFB-Pokal. 

"I could say it is bad for us with two, three or four defenders missing," Kompany added. 

"But I have full faith in the other players. I hope they will be fit but in any other case I have faith in the other lads."

Kompany has collected 20 points in his first eight Bundesliga games as Bayern head coach, the best return since Carlo Ancelotti in 2016.

No coach in top-flight history has seen his side score as many goals in their first eight games as Kompany (29), and the Belgian has reason to be confident this weekend.

They have not lost any of their 10 league meetings with Union Berlin (W7, D3) – the only other side Bayern have faced as often in the top-flight without losing is Darmstadt.

However, Kompany was wary of the threat Bo Svensson's side, who have picked up 15 points after eight Bundesliga games – only ever being better off in 2022-23 (17).

"They have done it well so far. They are up there and we will not be underestimating them. But the game is about us," Kompany said.

"You can see that they are very strong in defence and on the counter. This is a team that knows what it has to do. But in the end it is a home game for us."

The Women’s Super League is back after a break for the international fixtures with a blockbuster clash between Manchester United and Arsenal.

United have set down an early marker and are unbeaten so far this term (W3 D1). Arsenal, meanwhile, have already parted ways with their boss of three years, Jonas Eidevall. It has been a tumultuous start of the season for the Gunners (W2 D2 L1).

Arsenal, however, may feel like they have turned a corner under caretaker boss Renee Slegers, the former assistant to Eidevall who has stepped into the interim role. Picking up a much-needed three points against West Ham last time out kept them in touch with the top four.

The Gunners have also got their Champions League campaign back on track after losing their first game to Bayern Munich. They defeated Valerenga comfortably, so will be looking to keep up the momentum with a third straight win.

United’s strong start to the season has seen them quietly go about their work with an impressive steeliness to their performances. They have only played four games and have a game in hand against Chelsea due to a clash with the Blues’ Champions League schedule.

Marc Skinner’s side are not quite the same as the team that won the FA Cup last season. The most notable absence is goalkeeper Mary Earps, who left in the summer, along with club captain Katie Zelem, Nikita Parris and Lucia Garcia.

That said, the early signs suggest the summer’s significant changes to the squad have not halted the progress made in 2023-24, a season that saw the club lift the first major domestic silverware in their history.

This fixture will be Skinner’s 100th game in charge of United in all competitions. His win rate with the Red Devils (62.6% – 62/99) is by far his best with a team across his managerial career (47% at Birmingham City, 21% at Orlando Pride).

The Opta supercomputer is anticipating a close encounter on Sunday. Despite Arsenal’s early troubles, they are given a 38.9% chance of getting the away win. United are only just behind on 35.1% and the probability of a draw is 26.0%.

It is certainly a match that has all the ingredients to be a thriller. But where might the game be won and lost?

United have only lost one of their last four home games against Arsenal in the WSL (W2 D1), drawing 2-2 with the Gunners in this fixture last season.

Their good early form this season has been partly down to their defensive success and the ‘red wall’ they have constructed. Skinner knows that to challenge for the WSL title, his team must be solid at the back, and they have some of the best numbers in the league.

United's red wall

United have only lost one of their last four home games against Arsenal in the WSL (W2 D1), drawing 2-2 with the Gunners in this fixture last season.

Their good early form this season has been partly down to their defensive success and the ‘red wall’ they have constructed. Skinner knows that to challenge for the WSL title, his team must be solid at the back, and they have some of the best numbers in the league.

United boast the best defence in the WSL this season, conceding only once. Their underlying numbers are good, too. Their 3.95 expected goals against is bettered by only Arsenal (3.56), albeit from one game fewer. Both sides have kept three clean sheets.

United average 0.98 xGA per game in the WSL this term, while they have faced 10.25 shots per game.

Losing Earps to Paris Saint-Germain was a concern for United fans, but they should feel assured that their new number one has risen to the challenge.

Before joining United last summer, Phallon Tullis-Joyce was a regular starter for both her former clubs Reims and Seattle Reign. She knew on her arrival at United that she would be in the shadow of Earps but that did not discourage her. Fast forward a year, and the American’s 93.3% save percentage is the best in the WSL this season.

Tullis-Joyce has a goals prevented figure of 2.74, having conceded just once from an expected goals on target (xGOT) figure of 3.74. Having saved almost three goals more than she ‘should’ have, Tullis-Joyce is the best-performing goalkeeper in the WSL based on the metric.

United also boast some of the brightest young talent in the league and Skinner is finding a way to cultivate their skills.

Maya Le Tissier became the youngest player to reach 100 WSL starts when she featured against Brighton last time out, breaking the record set by Lauren Hemp in December last year.

She has also been a feature of United’s prowess on and off the ball. Le Tissier marked her milestone start with a strong performance at the Amex Stadium, leading United for touches (80), passes (67) and completed passes (56).

Indeed, no United player has had as many touches (351) as the defender this term. She also shone for England during the international break combining with club-mate Grace Clinton for the Lionesses’ second goal in their 2-1 win against South Africa.

Renee's renaissance

With back-to-back wins and six goals in their two games since Eidevall’s departure, the Arsenal dressing room will certainly feel they are starting to get things back on track. And with a new manager reportedly not close to being announced, interim boss Slegers has the opportunity to prove her credentials for the role.

Arsenal have scored six goals from 4.58 xG in their past two matches. Whereas under Eidevall the Gunners were missing chances with regularity, they have seemingly picked up their finishing under interim boss Slegers. They had scored four goals from 7.0 xG under Eidevall in their first four league matches.

Slegers certainly looks like she’s instilled some extra confidence in her players.

Arsenal have won their last three away games in the WSL and could win four in a row on the road in the league for the first time since December 2022 (eight). That would be the kind of momentum they need in order to challenge United and the other top four sides.

They are beginning to realise some of the potential they showed in pre-season, and the dynamism they lacked last season when they ultimately fell short of a title challenge.

Summer signing Mariona Caldentey has finally got the WSL goal her performances have merited. The former Barcelona star has created 12 chances this season, and accumulated 1.96 expected assists (xA) – the most in the Gunners’ squad.

Her impressive performance in the Champions League win over Valerenga felt like the catalyst she needed. Two goals in two games have proved she has the ability to provide the kind of threat from midfield that Arsenal have previously lacked.

The Gunners may need to lean on their more experienced talent, especially when it comes to changing the game from the bench. Since the beginning of last season, no player has been directly involved in more WSL goals as a substitute than Stina Blackstenius (six – five goals, one assist), with four of her last five goal involvements coming from the bench (three goals, one assist). Last time out against West Ham she helped turn the tide, too.

The biggest change under Slegers has been her desire to commit to a number one, which Eidevall seemed to be on the fence over.

He added to the goalkeeper ranks this summer in the form of Dutch international Daphne van Domselaar, and that’s who Slegers has committed to.

Van Domeslaar, like Tullis-Joyce, has kept three clean sheets this term. She has conceded just twice from 12 shots on target faced, while she’s prevented 2.2 goals with her stops. Her 83.3% save percentage is tied for second in the WSL along with Leicester City’s Janina Leitzig, behind Tullis-Joyce. 

That’s a far cry from last season, where first-choice goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger slightly underperformed, conceding 17 from 16.16 on target, while her save percentage was just 66%.

Losses in key games last season meant the Gunners were left behind by Man City and Chelsea in the title race. Settling on a reliable goalkeeper may just give Arsenal the solid grounding they need this time around.

Living in Graceland

Clinton, who began her professional career at Everton, signed for United in 2022. After loan spells at Bristol City and Tottenham last season, her breakout campaign came last year, and she is already being hailed by some as a generational talent. Her numbers this season suggest those assertions may not be wide of the mark.

She won the PFA Young Player of the Year for her performances with Spurs last term, and her name will surely be on the lips of her England team-mates Alessia Russo, Beth Mead and Leah Williamson as she showed Sarina Wiegman why she should be one of the first names on the team sheet over the international break.

United have struck gold with the 21-year-old and she is the first player to score in three of her first four WSL appearances for the club. Her three goals for the Red Devils is already just one fewer than she managed in her first 34 outings in the competition (0 in 14 for Everton, four in 20 for Tottenham).

Competition in this league is tough, but Clinton is one of five WSL players to score three goals this season, leading the charts along with Johanna Rytting Kaneryd of Chelsea, last year’s Golden Boot winner Khadija Shaw of Man City, Rachel Daly of Aston Villa and Brighton’s Kiko Seike.

Clinton is also a creator. Though she is yet to provide an assist, she has crafted six chances for her club-mates, with only Ella Toone having set up more among United’s squad (seven).

It is not just her impressive attacking statistics that make Clinton stand out. She leads the way in the WSL this season for duels (72), winning half of those (36), a figure that only four players can better in the competition, including Arsenal’s Caldentey (38). Clinton has also won 80% of her tackles (12/15).

United fans are hoping their young talent will ensure they get to the promised land and add to their first major domestic trophy from last season.

While Clinton has been phenomenal, Elizabeth Terland has netted twice from a team-high 1.76 xG, and the Norway international leads United’s squad for shots (14) and touches in the opposition’s box (23). Arsenal will need to be wary of her, too.

Arsenal will hope their own exciting prodigy will be able to come to the fore if selected. Finally off the mark in her maiden WSL campaign is Rosa Kafaji, who was hailed ahead of her move in the summer as one of the most exciting young talents in Europe. Scoring against West Ham last time out should give her the boost she needed in front of goal.  

This match-up will be another early indication as to whether United can really challenge for the title as they did in 2022-23. At the beginning of the season, the Opta supercomputer gave Skinner’s side a 1.9% chance of winning the league. Despite their bright start, that likelihood has now dipped to 1.2% with Chelsea’s perfect record, but a win on Sunday could change that.

Arsenal are up against it given their early missteps. Only one team has won the WSL title after winning just one of their opening four matches, and that was Liverpool in 2014 (W1 D3).

Ahead of the season, Arsenal had a 16.1% chance of winning the title – that has now plummeted to just 1.8%, albeit it is still a better chance than United have, according to our model.

United and Arsenal will go at this one with everything, both wanting to keep pace with Chelsea and Man City, who lead the standings.

Will Arsenal’s renaissance continue, or will Skinner’s Red Devils have the metal to prove themselves as title candidates?

Luis Enrique revealed that there is no additional pressure on the shoulders of Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, who has enjoyed a fine start to the Ligue 1 season.

Barcola took his tally to eight goals in nine league appearances in PSG's 3-0 triumph over rivals Marseille last weekend. 

The France international has now scored nine goals in his last 10 Ligue 1 games, more than in his first 64 (eight).

Barcola, top scorer in the division this term, is also one goal away from equalling his tally over his previous three seasons in the top-flight (nine goals in 65 games). 

"I don't know and I'm not worried," Luis Enrique told reporters when asked how far Barcola can go. "But when he doesn't score, others will, that's how teams work.

"There's no extra responsibility, everyone has to protect everyone, there can't be one player under more pressure."

Barcola has also completed more dribbles (18) than any of his PSG team-mates, subsequently seeing fellow forward Randal Kolo Muani drop to the bench. 

Kolo Muani joined the Parisiens from Einthract Frankfurt last year and has scored 11 goals and added six assists in 50 appearances in all competitions. 

However, the 25-year-old has started just two games for Luis Enrique's side this term, with recent reports linking him with a move away from the Ligue 1 champions. 

"I trust what I see in matches and in training. With a coach like me, a player who isn't playing can turn his situation around by the way he trains," Luis Enrique said.

PSG welcome Lens to the Parc des Princes this Saturday, hoping to maintain their three point advantage at the summit of the standings. 

They have won their last three games against Lens in Ligue 1 and could equal their best run against them in the top-flight (four in 1983-1984, 1993-1994 and 1996-1997).