Strasbourg s’offre Fábio Baldé en provenance de Hambourg

Le Racing Club de Strasbourg tient sa nouvelle recrue offensive. Le club alsacien a annoncé ce jeudi la signature de Fábio Baldé, arrivé en provenance de Hambourg. iwanktv.club

À 21 ans, l’ailier portugais a paraphé un contrat qui le lie à Strasbourg jusqu’en juin 2031. Le transfert serait estimé à 7 millions d’euros, sans compter les éventuels bonus, selon les informations de la presse allemande.

Né à Hambourg et passé par les équipes de jeunes du HSV depuis 2020, Baldé a progressivement intégré l’équipe première. La saison dernière, il a disputé 16 rencontres en Bundesliga et inscrit un but, contribuant au maintien de son club formateur parmi l’élite.

International Espoirs portugais à deux reprises, avec un but à son actif, le jeune attaquant va maintenant découvrir la Ligue 1. Strasbourg espère ainsi renforcer son secteur offensif avec un joueur encore en pleine progression.

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Frans Steyn has rejigged his Cheetahs lineup for Sunday’s Currie Cup clash against the Vodacom Bulls XV in Pretoria, with several key players ruled out through injury.

Bok scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who claimed his second Man of the Match award of the campaign in last week’s win over the Stormers XXIII, misses out with a shoulder injury.

Veteran fullback Clayton Blommetjies, concussed in that Athlone Stadium clash, is also unavailable.

Jaco van der Walt and Rewan Kruger form a new halfback pairing, with Cohen Jasper switching from the bench to fullback and Jooste Nel coming into midfield.

FRANS: Faf didn’t do everything right

Injuries to flanker Juan Venter (sternum), centre Marco Jansen van Vuren (chest) and prop Frankie Dos Reis (knee) have also reshaped the starting XV, with Simon Miller shifting to flank and Aranos Coetzee drafted into the front row.

The Cheetahs sit second on the log, level with Griquas, while the winless Bulls XV are rooted to the foot of the table.

CHEETAHS – 15 Cohen Jasper, 14 Michael Annies, 13 Jooste Nel, 12 Zander du Plessis, 11 Prince Nkabinde, 10 Jaco van der Walt, 9 Rewan Kruger, 8 Neels Volschenk (c), 7 Simon Miller, 6 Daniel Maartens, 5 Victor Sekekete, 4 Arno van der Merwe, 3 Aranos Coetzee, 2 Juan Smal, 1 Tebogo Nkosi.
Bench: 16 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 17 Tielman Niewoudt, 18 John-Kelly Okonkwo, 19 Curtly Thomas, 20 Sisonke Vumasonke, 21 Jandre Nel, 22 Tiaan Swanepoel, 23 De-An Ackermann.

Weekend teams

Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images

The post Cheetahs lose five for Bulls clash appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

L’Atlético de Madrid se déplace au Vélodrome ce vendredi à 17h30 pour y affronter l’Olympique de Marseille, à l’occasion d’un dernier match de préparation avant la reprise du championnat.

Le club espagnol a communiqué la liste des joueurs convoqués pour cette rencontre. Comme prévu, Julián Álvarez, Álex Baena, Marcos Llorente et Juan Musso ne figurent pas dans le groupe. Les quatre joueurs viennent tout juste de reprendre l’entraînement cette semaine et manquent encore de rythme.

Concernant Julián Álvarez, son absence n’est pas liée aux spéculations autour de son avenir. L’attaquant argentin était simplement attendu plus tard dans la préparation et poursuit sa remise en condition avant de retrouver progressivement la compétition.

Une rencontre qui permettra à l’Atlético de Madrid de poursuivre sa préparation avant le début de la saison officielle.

The post OM-Atlético : le groupe du club espagnol Álvarez absent appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

The Spanish top flight, La Liga, is gearing up for another thrilling season in 2026/27. With FC Barcelona chasing a remarkable third consecutive title, the stakes are incredibly high. Rivals Real Madrid, under the returning guidance of Jose Mourinho, will be determined to reclaim their dominance. This season promises intense competition at both ends of the table.

South African football enthusiasts are keenly awaiting the kick-off, eager to follow the drama unfold. From title contenders to teams battling for European spots and those fighting to avoid relegation, every match will carry significant weight. New rule implementations also add an intriguing layer to the upcoming campaign, potentially influencing game dynamics and outcomes.

READ ALSO: Real Madrid extend Vinicius Junior to 2032 and sign Yan Diomandé for a reported EUR 140m

Key Dates	Details
Season Start	Weekend of 14th-15th August 2026
Defending Champions	FC Barcelona
Number of Teams	20
European Qualification	Top 4 for Champions League, 5th/6th for Europa League/Conference League (subject to cup winners)
Relegation	Bottom 3 teams

Barcelona’s quest for a treble of titles

FC Barcelona enters the 2026/27 season as the two-time defending champions. Their consistent performance over the past two seasons has established them as the team to beat. The squad’s blend of experienced veterans and emerging talents has proven highly effective. Maintaining this momentum will be crucial for their historic title pursuit.

The pressure to secure a third consecutive title will be immense. Their tactical approach and ability to handle key fixtures will define their season. Early indications suggest a strong pre-season, but the true test begins when the league matches kick off in August.

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Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid

The return of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid has sent ripples across the football world. His previous tenure brought significant success, and fans will be hoping for a similar impact. Mourinho’s tactical acumen and ability to instill a winning mentality could be the catalyst Real Madrid needs to challenge Barcelona’s dominance.

Reports suggest a renewed focus on defensive solidity and strategic attacking play. Key players like Vinicius Jr. are expected to play a central role in Mourinho’s plans. The early season clashes between Real Madrid and Barcelona will be highly anticipated, potentially setting the tone for the title race.

The race for european spots

Beyond the title contenders, the battle for European qualification promises to be fierce. Teams like Sevilla FC, Athletic Club, and potentially RCD Espanyol de Barcelona have shown strong performances in recent seasons. Securing a spot in the Champions League or Europa League is a major objective for many clubs, offering both prestige and financial rewards.

The depth of squads and consistency over a long season will be vital for these teams. Transfers in the summer window could significantly alter their prospects. Every point will count in this tightly contested race, making for exciting finishes throughout the campaign.

READ ALSO: Ligue 1 2026/27 season preview

New rule changes and their impact

The 2026/27 La Liga season will see the implementation of new rule changes aimed at reducing time-wasting and increasing effective playing time. These adjustments could have a notable impact on game flow and strategy. Teams will need to adapt quickly to avoid penalties and maintain their rhythm.

Coaches will be working to integrate these changes into their training and match tactics. The initial weeks of the season might see some adjustments as players and officials get accustomed to the new regulations. This could potentially create early upsets or unexpected results.

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Fast facts and FAQs

When does the 2026/27 La Liga season start?

The 2026/27 La Liga season is scheduled to begin on the weekend of 14th-15th August 2026.

Who are the defending champions?

FC Barcelona are the two-time defending champions, having won their 29th title in the previous season.

Which teams are expected to challenge for the title?

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are widely considered the primary title contenders. Other teams may emerge as dark horses, but these two are the perennial favourites.

Will there be any new rule changes?

Yes, new rule changes aimed at reducing time-wasting are expected to be in effect for the 2026/27 season.

Conclusion

The 2026/27 La Liga season promises to be a captivating spectacle for South African football fans. With Barcelona aiming for a historic third title, Real Madrid’s renewed challenge under Mourinho, and intense battles across the league, there will be no shortage of drama. Stay tuned to SportPesa for all the latest updates and analysis as the season unfolds.