July 12, 2022
The brief from today:
New addition to the A-League
Portuguese midfielder, Nani, has decided to make Australia his latest football destination. The 35-year-old, most known from his time at Manchester United, has also played for: Sporting CP (Portugal), Fenerbahce (Turkey), Valencia (Spain), Lazio (Italy), Orlando City (US), and finally Venezia (Italy). He now heads to Australia’s A-League signing a two-year contract with Melbourne Victory. Ironically, his new side’s next match is against his former team Manchester United. The English team are currently on a Far East/Australia exhibition tour, and the match with Melbourne could be Nani’s debut. Of course with him just arriving three days before the match, he was quick to temper expectations of an early appearance saying, “I would like to, I don’t know. I just arrived in the country, and it’s a long flight, so there are lots of things to do. The body must be ready to compete. I think the fans and everyone expecting me to be able to perform with all my qualities, so playing that game could be not a good idea, but as a player I always want to play, so give me five minutes and I will be ready.” Nani credited Melbourne’s long-term courting of him, and coach, Tony Popovic’s, plans as the reasons he joined the club. Nani will be 37 at the end of his contract, and who knows whether he’ll try South America and Africa next to complete all the continents where he can play football.
Nani makes his next stop at Melbourne Victory
Egypt finds their replacement
The Egyptian Football Association announced their decision for the new national team coach, and they have selected Rui Vitoria. After the quick sacking of Ehab Galal, last month, the reins will now be handed to the former Pacos Ferreira, Vitoria Guimaraes, Benfica, Al-Nassr, and Spartak Moscow manager. The Portuguese coach won league titles twice with Benfica in 2016 and 2017, as well as with Al-Nassr in 2019. He becomes Egypt’s third coach within the past year, two of which—including him—have been Portuguese. With World Cup qualification eluding them this year after a penalty shootout loss to Senegal, Vitoria’s first main task will be securing qualification for the 2023 AFCON finals.
Egypt’s new man in charge: Rui Vitoria
Preseason under Conte
Tottenham players received a warm welcome from their Korean fans when they arrived for an exhibition tour earlier this week, but Antonio Conte has been far from accommodating with his preseason sessions. The Italian, and his fitness coach, Gian Piero Ventrone, have become notorious for their punishing preparation since their days at Juventus, that is meant to make you “eat grass”. The regimen, combined with the intense summer heat and humidity is Seoul, resulted in players struggling to stay on their feet after training culminated with suicide sprints. One of the most affected was Harry Kane who reacted by throwing up as the session ended. Conte is known for wanting his sides to be extremely fit, and judging by the early part of preseason, the same objective remains.