Simone rules out Alvarez starting against Liverpool in the Champions League

Diego Simeone, manager of Atlético Madrid, ruled out Argentine striker Julián Álvarez starting in the team’s Champions League opener against Liverpool on Wednesday at Anfield.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Simeone said: “There are several possible scenarios for the match, but it will be decided as soon as the opening whistle blows. Some things may happen that exceed expectations, and this will become clear once the match begins.”

When asked what has changed at Liverpool under new manager Andoni Iraola, the Argentine coach replied: “He is trying to implement the style he used in his previous experiences. He favors excellent teamwork, but he needs time. However, the English team is evolving, has outstanding players, and is led by an outstanding manager. I expect him to succeed.”

The Atlético Madrid manager also addressed the team’s attacking line, stating that Jonathan David is still in the process of adapting due to his late arrival at the club.

He continued: “As for Julián Álvarez, he is still adapting, and I do not expect him to start. However, I am confident he will be an addition to the squad.”

Simeone emphasized: “We face intensive work given the arrival of several new players, Julián Álvarez’s situation, and the late return of international players after the World Cup.”

He concluded his remarks: “No one will care about all these details, but it is the reality. Therefore, we must gradually find our rhythm.”

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus continued her march toward a third consecutive US Open title, the final Grand Slam tournament of the year, by reaching the semifinals for the sixth straight year with a very hard-fought victory over Wimbledon champion Linda Nosková, ranked sixth, 7-6 (7-1), 3-6, 7-6 (10-7).

Sabalenka, who has not won a title since her Indian Wells-Miami double (the Sunshine Double) in March last year, needed two hours and 22 minutes to secure her place in the semifinals for the sixth consecutive year.

The Belarusian, who will cede the world No. 1 ranking to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina if the latter reaches the semifinals by defeating China’s Zheng Qinwen, will next face the winner of the all-American clash between Jessica Pegula, ranked third, and Emma Navarro, ranked 26th.

The quarterfinal between Sabalenka and Nosková, who is reaching this stage of the American tournament for the first time, was a rematch of the 2023 Adelaide final and this season’s Indian Wells semifinal, where the Belarusian also emerged victorious, winning both matches in straight sets.

Sabalenka believed she created a gap in the first set when she broke her opponent’s serve in the fourth game to lead 3-1, then 4-1 on her own serve.

However, the Czech player fought back and converted the first break opportunity she received in the ninth game, leveling the set at 5-5 and then 6-6, forcing a tiebreak. Sabalenka completely dominated the tiebreak, leading 6-0 before closing it out 7-1, completing the set in 47 minutes.

Unlike the first set, Sabalenka appeared unable to create a difference despite having a break point in the fifth game that she failed to convert, allowing Nosková to lead 3-2 and then 5-2 after breaking the Belarusian’s serve in the sixth game.

The Czech player then had a chance to close the set 6-2 on Sabalenka’s serve but failed to capitalize. However, she won the ninth game on her own serve to take the set 6-3, forcing a decisive third set. She started with a break point in the second game but failed to use it, paying the price by falling behind 2-4 after losing her serve in the fifth game.

But she did not drop her serve and saved a 4-4 tiebreak on her opponent’s serve, then went up 5-4 and 6-5, before the match went to a deciding tiebreak, which the Belarusian won 10-7 with a dominant serve to seal the hard-fought encounter.

American fourth seed Coco Gauff defeated her compatriot Eva Lys 6-1, 6-4 to set up a quarterfinal clash with French Open champion Mirra Andreeva.

Gauff told reporters, “Mirra is a player I always face in tough matches. She’s certainly in a different headspace now, having reached the top of the game after winning a major... It will be a strong and very difficult match.”

Gauff became the sixth American to reach the quarterfinals, joining Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Frances Tiafoe, Alex Michelsen, and Ben Shelton.

Stuttgart coach Sebastian Hoenes voiced his support for striker Deniz Undav ahead of their Champions League opener against Norwegian side Viking Stavanger on Wednesday.

The German international had failed to score in the first three matches of the season, sparking some criticism.

But Hoenes dismissed the criticism, saying on Tuesday, “I need to put an end to this now. Things are moving too fast for me.”

Hoenes added that Undav had played a “major role” in Stuttgart’s fourth-place finish in the German league last season, which qualified them for the competition, a fact that should be clear to everyone.

He pointed out that Undav had scored crucial goals and provided key assists on numerous occasions in recent years.

The coach acknowledged that the new captain Undav had not yet reached his peak form, but added, “He hasn’t performed catastrophically, as some reports suggest.”