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Coaches face the spotlight as No. 24 Michigan travels to Bloomington, Indiana to take on the Hoosiers

Mike Woodson (NCAAB)

Saturday afternoon’s Big Ten game between No. 24 Michigan and Indiana in Bloomington, Ind., could see many of the home fans show more support for the visiting coach than their own.

Indiana head coach Mike Woodson is facing heavy criticism from fans after a recent series of poor performances. Indiana (14-9, 5-7 Big Ten) has lost four consecutive games and six of its last seven, dropping out of both the Big Ten title race and NCAA Tournament contention.

“Right now, we’re not tough,” Woodson said. “We’re just not a tough team right now. We’re not. Mentally, we’re not tough.”

The next few games won’t be easy for the Hoosiers, with three ranked teams coming up: Michigan, Michigan State, and Purdue. The fourth team, UCLA, just beat Michigan State and could be ranked if they win against Penn State on Saturday.

Because of this tough schedule, Saturday’s game could feel like a must-win for Woodson.

“We’ve got to get it fixed because we only have eight left and five of them are at home,” Woodson said. “We have to figure out all of our games at home and the three that’s on the road.”

The first challenge will be against Michigan, coached by a beloved figure returning to his home state.

Michigan head coach Dusty May grew up in Indiana, attended Indiana University, and worked as a student manager under legendary coach Bob Knight. When May led Florida Atlantic to the Final Four in 2023, some Indiana fans hoped Woodson would be replaced by May.

Indiana kept Woodson, and after last season, May took the Michigan job, where he has helped the Wolverines improve.

Michigan (17-5, 9-2) is currently near the top of the Big Ten standings, just behind Purdue. With a strong finish, Michigan could make its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2022.

No. 10 Purdue (NCAAB)

“I’m sure it will be cool to walk into Assembly Hall where you spent a lot of time,” May said. “I’m not thinking about anything. My mom lives in Bloomington. It is what it is. But I’m going there to try and win a freaking basketball game and that’s it.”

The game will feature three of the top big men in the Big Ten. Michigan is led by 7-footers Vladislav Goldin (15.6 points, 6.0 rebounds per game) and Danny Wolf (12.3 points, 10.0 rebounds). Indiana’s 7-footer Oumar Ballo leads his team in both scoring and rebounding with 14.0 points and 9.9 rebounds per game.

The matchup will also showcase the two teams with the most turnovers in the conference. Michigan averages 14.8 turnovers per game, while Indiana averages 12.5.

Indiana has had recent success against Michigan, winning the last four matchups, including a 78-75 win at Michigan last season.

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No. 5 Houston looks to prevent Colorado from securing its first Big 12 win in their upcoming game in Houston

No. 5 Houston and Colorado

By February, teams are aiming for a big win to boost their NCAA Tournament chances. The Colorado Buffaloes, however, are just looking for a win.

Colorado has lost 11 games in a row and hasn’t won a conference game since returning to the Big 12. Their next challenge is hosting No. 5 Houston on Saturday afternoon in Boulder, Colo.

This losing streak is the longest for Colorado to begin a conference season since they went 0-14 in the Big 8 in 1985-86. The latest loss was at Utah on Wednesday night, where they fell 72-59 after trailing by 12 points at halftime and coming up short in their second-half comeback attempt.

The Buffaloes (9-13, 0-11 Big 12) have lost five of their last six games by more than 10 points, and the schedule remains tough. After facing Houston, Colorado will travel to No. 16 Kansas and No. 8 Iowa State. They have three more ranked teams to play in their last six games, making it harder to escape the bottom of the standings.

“It’s for sure getting more challenging because we’re playing a lot of good teams now,” said Colorado forward Andrej Jakimovski. “We know our record; we don’t deserve that record. We are better than that. We just all want to win. Our chemistry, our togetherness, it’s not going to change throughout the season no matter what.”

Jakimovski (10.0 points per game) is one of only two Buffaloes averaging double figures in scoring. Julian Hammond III leads the team with 13.3 points per game, and Trevor Baskin is third with 8.8 per game.

No. 4 Tennessee (NCAAB)

Baskin is also the team’s leading rebounder with 5.6 rebounds per game.

Houston (18-4, 10-1) is not a strong rebounding team but is the toughest team to score against. The Cougars allow just 56.9 points per game, leading Division I, and have held seven of their 11 conference opponents under 60 points.

On offense, Houston averages 76.0 points per game, led by L.J. Cryer’s 14.3 points per game. Emanuel Sharp (12.5) and J’Wan Roberts (11.4) are the other Cougars in double digits, with Milos Uzan close at 9.9 points per game.

Houston’s only Big 12 loss came against Texas Tech on February 1, an 82-81 overtime defeat at home. The Cougars bounced back with a 72-63 win over Oklahoma State on Tuesday and will play three of their next four games on the road.

After facing Colorado, Houston will host Baylor before traveling to No. 20 Arizona and Arizona State, finishing six games in 18 days.

“Everybody in the league gets to it, I’m not complaining, I’m just making sure that people are aware of what the Big 12’s going through when they decided to go to a 20-game schedule,” said Houston coach Kelvin Sampson. “The difference between a 20-game schedule and an 18-game schedule is a bye week. There is no bye week.

“You’ve got 10 grueling weeks with two games a week. And your two games a week is not the same for everybody, it depends on where you’re playing.”

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The NCAA committee in Indianapolis will review a coach’s proposal to tackle fake injuries and unethical behavior

Fans enjoying a NCAA Football game

A proposed rule change aimed at stopping players from pretending to be injured to get unnecessary timeouts will be discussed at the NCAA Football Rules Committee meeting this month.

Faking injuries, sometimes with the coach’s approval, has become a strategy for defenses to slow down fast offenses or for offenses to avoid a delay of game penalty or gain an extra timeout.

The American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) suggested a rule requiring a player who falls on the field and gets medical help to stay out for the rest of the possession. Right now, the player only has to sit out for one play before returning.

“The American Football Coaches Association is very concerned about this,” said AFCA executive director Craig Bohl. “It goes against the spirit of improving our game and the ethics. We created this proposal, we shared it, and it has been well received. We expect some pushback, but we say to those against it, give us a better idea if you don’t like it.”

The proposal includes exceptions. A coach can use a timeout to get the player back on the field during the current possession. If a player is injured from a hit that results in a penalty, they will not be affected. Additionally, one player on offense and one on defense, who has a green dot on their helmet indicating they receive radio communication from the coach, can return after one play.

Last season, faked injuries became such a big issue in the Southeastern Conference that commissioner Greg Sankey sent a memo in November telling teams to stop faking injuries to create timeouts. He wrote, “As plainly as it can be stated: Stop any and all activity related to faking injuries to create time-outs.”

Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule watches from the sideline during the first half of an NCAA college football game

The NCAA Football Rules Committee will meet in Indianapolis during the last week of February, and this topic will be a major focus. If the AFCA’s proposal is approved by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel in the spring, it will be put into effect next season.

NCAA supervisor of officials Steve Shaw said Division I conference officiating coordinators supported the proposal at their meeting in Irving, Texas, last week. Shaw showed the coordinators a video of players pretending to be injured, sometimes in an obviously fake way.

Shaw said anyone who doesn’t think fake injuries are a problem would change their mind after seeing the video.

“Eventually, you’re like, ‘This is awful. This is pitiful,’” Shaw said, though he doesn’t plan to make the video public.

One clip shows a player who appears to have a cramp. “The trainer walks him out, and the guy has this huge grin on his face,” Shaw said. “The trainer tells him to lay down and does the usual leg stretch. The trainer smiles at him, and the player quickly gets up, going to the coaches to return to the game.”

Bohl said that rotational players, like defensive linemen and running backs, are the biggest offenders. “They look to the sideline, and the coach points down, so they fall down and another player comes in,” Bohl said. “By making the player sit out for the whole possession, the coach might ask themselves, ‘Do I really want to disadvantage my team by losing a player?’”

Bohl warned that if no action is taken to stop fake injuries, the problem will get worse. Coaches might feel they have to join in the behavior if there’s no penalty.

Bohl said the AFCA’s proposal may not be perfect, but it should help reduce the number of clear cases of fake injuries.

“The AFCA cannot ignore the unethical behavior happening in this part of the game,” he said.

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Ryan Day signs Ohio State contract extension through 2031, worth $12.5 million annually

Ryan Day celebrates after the win

Ohio State coach Ryan Day, who led the team to a national championship just over two weeks ago, has agreed to a seven-year contract worth $12.5 million per year, the school announced on Thursday.

The contract, which still needs approval from the university’s Board of Trustees, runs through the 2031 season. This deal would make Day the second-highest paid coach in the country, just behind Georgia’s Kirby Smart, who makes $13.3 million per year.

Day, who earned just over $10 million in 2024, had faced criticism after Ohio State lost to rival Michigan for the fourth year in a row. However, the Buckeyes made the 12-team College Football Playoff and achieved impressive victories over Tennessee, Oregon, Texas, and Notre Dame, securing their first national title since 2014.

“Ohio State Football has long been defined by excellence and, under Ryan Day’s leadership, that tradition has not only continued, but thrived,” said athletic director Ross Bjork. “As a leader, mentor and coach, Ryan has consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the success and well-being of our players, both on and off the field.

Ryan Day celebrates a field goal with the staff and players

His leadership has maintained our position of national prominence each year and winning the 2024 national championship validated his program’s culture of excellence, integrity, and perseverance.”

The Buckeyes finished with a 14-2 record, losing by one point to Oregon in the regular season before getting revenge in the playoffs.

Day’s record stands at 70-10 over six seasons, with an .875 winning percentage, the best among active head coaches. He expressed gratitude to university president Ted Carter, Bjork, and the trustees for their trust, as well as to his assistant coaches and players.

“This is a team of tough and determined individuals who drive our culture of respect, commitment, and love,” Day said.

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Outfielder Harrison Bader signs a one-year deal with the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis

Harrison Bader reacts after final out

Outfielder Harrison Bader has agreed to a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins, according to a person familiar with the talks who spoke on condition of anonymity. The deal, which has not been finalized, includes a mutual option for 2026.

Bader, who won a Gold Glove with St. Louis in 2021, will join his fifth team in five years. Last season, he played for the New York Mets, hitting .236 with 12 home runs, 51 RBIs, and 17 stolen bases in 25 attempts. He made only two postseason starts in 12 games.

Bader is expected to be a solid right-handed bat off the bench and provide strong defense in the outfield. His presence will allow the Twins to maintain defensive stability, especially when Byron Buxton needs rest.

Most of Bader’s career has been spent in center field, though he is also capable of playing in the corner spots. His role with the Twins will likely resemble that of Michael A. Taylor in 2023. The Twins had hoped Manny Margot would fill this role last season, but after Margot struggled, he was not re-signed.

Harrison Bader reacts in the game

Over his career, Bader has a .242 batting average, with 71 home runs, 268 RBIs, and 94 stolen bases in 120 attempts. He has played for the Cardinals (2017-22), Yankees (2022-23), Cincinnati (2023), and the Mets, where he signed a one-year, $10.5 million deal.

The Twins are also close to finalizing a one-year contract with left-handed pitcher Danny Coulombe, who spent the past two years with the Baltimore Orioles after pitching for the Twins from 2020 to 2022. Last year, Coulombe posted a 2.12 ERA with a 1-0 record, striking out 32 in 29 2/3 innings. Over his career, Coulombe has played for the Dodgers, Athletics, Twins, and Orioles.

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The Los Angeles Angels have agreed to extend their lease at Angel Stadium in Anaheim until 2032

Fans enter Angels Stadium before the start of a baseball game in Anaheim (MLB)

The Los Angeles Angels have decided to extend their lease at Angel Stadium until 2032.

The team and the city of Anaheim, which owns the stadium, made the announcement on Wednesday about the extension that will keep the Angels in the stadium they have used since 1966.

Currently, the team’s lease runs through 2029, but it includes three three-year options for extensions, which could keep the team in the stadium until 2038 if exercised.

“We are excited to announce that we have extended our lease securing the Big A as the home of Angels Baseball into the next decade,” said Angels spokesperson Marie Garvey. “As we prepare for our 60th season in Anaheim, we wanted our fans and community partners to know that Angels Baseball and its foundation remain committed to being an active part of this city and region.”

Angel Stadium, the fourth-oldest stadium in Major League Baseball, has undergone many renovations over the years, just like other older stadiums such as Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and Dodger Stadium.

The Angels and the city share revenue from things like ticket sales, parking, and events at the ballpark, which was called Anaheim Stadium for its first 32 years.

Los Angeles Angels (MLB)

Angels owner Arte Moreno has expressed his interest in purchasing Angel Stadium and the land around it for years. He planned to build a new stadium and develop the parking lots. In 2020, the city approved a $320 million sale to Moreno, but the deal fell through in 2022 after a corruption investigation involving Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu, who resigned.

Just across Katella Avenue from Angel Stadium, the Anaheim Ducks’ owner Henry Samueli is building a $4 billion project, OCVibe, which will feature a 100-acre entertainment district with residential and commercial developments around the NHL team’s Honda Center.

While the Angels’ future is still uncertain, the current extension makes it clear that Moreno is unlikely to build a new stadium within the next four years.

“The extension is not the result of any long-term discussions between the team and the city, and there are no long-term lease or other talks underway,” the city said in a statement.

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Pete Alonso will remain with the Mets, signing a two-year, $54 million deal in New York

Pete Alonso
Pete Alonso (MLB)

First baseman Pete Alonso will stay with the New York Mets, agreeing to a two-year contract worth $54 million.

The deal was confirmed on Wednesday night, with the agreement, still subject to a successful physical.

Alonso will receive a $10 million signing bonus and a salary of $20 million this year, plus $24 million in 2026. He has the option to opt out after the 2025 season to become a free agent again.

New York had also offered Alonso a $71 million, three-year deal, which included salaries of $27 million in 2025 and $22 million in each of the next two seasons, with the ability to opt out after each of the first two years, according to the source.

Alonso, who turned 30 on December 7, took longer than other top players to sign. Among other free-agent first basemen, Christian Walker signed a $60 million, three-year deal with Houston, while Paul Goldschmidt (New York Yankees) and Carlos Santana (Cleveland) agreed to one-year deals.

Mets owner Steve Cohen expressed frustration last month, stating that negotiations for Alonso were tougher than those for a record $765 million, 15-year contract with Juan Soto, who, like Alonso, is represented by agent Scott Boras.

Pete Alonso celebrates after his home run

“I don’t like the structures that are being presented to us,” Cohen said. “It’s highly asymmetric against us and I feel strongly about it. I will never say no. You know, there’s always a possibility. But the reality is that we’re moving forward and we continue to bring in players. And as we continue to bring in players, the reality is, it becomes harder to fit Pete into what is a very expensive group of players that we already have.”

Previously, Alonso rejected a $158 million, seven-year offer in 2023 from his former agency that would have covered 2024-30. After the 2023 season, he switched to Boras and agreed to a $20.5 million, one-year deal that avoided arbitration.

Alonso has hit 226 homers over six seasons with the Mets and became a four-time All-Star, but his strikeouts increased to a career-high 172 last year while his OPS dropped to a career-low .788.

Nicknamed the Polar Bear, Alonso became a fan favorite at Citi Field as a home-grown member of the Mets.

He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2019, when he hit .260 with a major-league-high 53 homers—setting a rookie record—and 120 RBIs. He had a career-high 131 RBIs in 2022.

Alonso batted a career-low .217 in 2023, hitting 46 homers and driving in 118 runs, then hit .240 with 34 homers and 88 RBIs this year. His three-run, ninth-inning homer off Devin Williams helped the Mets beat Milwaukee in the decisive third game of their NL Wild Card Series.

After losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Championship Series, the Mets added Soto and right-handers Frankie Montas, Clay Holmes, and Griffin Canning, along with left-hander A.J. Minter. They also re-signed left-hander Sean Manaea, right-hander Ryne Stanek, and outfielder Jesse Winker.

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The president of La Liga criticizes Real Madrid over their referee complaints in Madrid

Espanyol players celebrates after a goal

Spanish league president Javier Tebas criticized Real Madrid on Thursday, saying the club’s leadership had “lost its mind” for accusing Spain’s referees of being biased against the defending champion.

Tebas, head of La Liga, said the league was considering legal action after Madrid published a letter accusing the league of being “adulterated” to favor other clubs.

Tebas told reporters, “They have built up an exaggerated tale of victimization that is completely baseless with, in my opinion, the goal of undermining the competition. It is completely over the top. They have lost their minds.”

The letter was sent after Madrid felt harmed by alleged referee mistakes during their 1-0 loss to Espanyol. Madrid mainly complained about a hard foul on Kylian Mbappé by Espanyol defender Carlos Romero in the 60th minute. Romero was given a yellow card, but Madrid thought he should have been sent off with a red card. Romero went on to score the winning goal.

After reviewing the incident, the referees decided the yellow card was correct. In its four-page letter, Madrid called the VAR and officiating performance “scandalous.”

The club stated that the refereeing in the Espanyol game showed “the culmination of a completely discredited refereeing system whose decisions against Real Madrid have reached a point that the adulteration and manipulation of the competition cannot be ignored.”

Kylian Mbappe reacts in the match

Madrid also posted a four-minute video on its website titled “The global scandal continues to escalate.” The video showed the foul on Mbappé and included quotes from media outlets that thought the foul deserved a red card.

Tebas responded to Real Madrid TV for frequently showing videos claiming certain referees made calls against the team. He said Madrid TV “calls referees corrupt.”

Madrid won its 36th Spanish league title and its 15th European Cup last season, both records. It currently leads La Liga by one point before playing second-place Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Fans from rival teams, as well as many neutrals, have found Madrid’s complaints about being hurt by the referees puzzling.

“It’s just silly,” Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann said about the letter.

“We have to leave the referees alone. They have enough on their hands dealing with us players to on top of that have to handle this silliness from off the pitch.”

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Marcelo, the Real Madrid legend, retired at 36, ending a trophy-laden career in Madrid

Marcelo celebrates with the trophy

Marcelo, the iconic Real Madrid player known for his big hair and incredible success, announced his retirement on Thursday at 36.

“My journey as a player ends here, but I still have so much to give to football. Thank you for everything,” the Brazilian shared in a video on X.

Marcelo, a defender with a strong attacking style, had one of the most decorated careers in soccer history. He played for Madrid from 2007 to 2022 and later returned to his first club, Fluminense, in 2023-24. He also represented Brazil in the 2014 and 2018 World Cups and won Olympic medals: a bronze in 2008 and silver in 2012.

During his time at Madrid, he won five Champions League titles, six Spanish league titles, and 25 trophies in total.

“Marcelo is part of the history of Real Madrid and is one of the great legends of our club and of world football,” Madrid said.

Marcelo moved to Europe in 2006, joining a Madrid team that was struggling at the time. He played a key role in one of the club’s most successful periods, often supporting the attack alongside Cristiano Ronaldo on the left.

Marcelo in the training session

Ronaldo honored his old teammate, calling him a “brother.”

“My brother, what an incredible career!” Ronaldo posted on X. “We went through a lot together. There were years of achievements, victories, and unforgettable moments. More than a teammate, (you) a companion for my life. Thanks for everything, friend. I wish you all the best in this new stage of life.”

Marcelo played 546 matches over 16 seasons before leaving Madrid in 2022, after winning his fifth European Cup. At that point, he held the most titles in club history, though Luka Modric and Nacho Fernández have since matched him with 26 each.

After a short period with Olympiakos in Greece, Marcelo returned to Fluminense, where he started his career, and won the Copa Libertadores.

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The former interpreter for baseball star Ohtani is set to appear in court for sentencing in a betting case in Los Angeles

The former interpreter for Japanese baseball player Shohei Ohtani is expected to be sentenced on Thursday for bank and tax fraud after stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani’s bank account.

Federal prosecutors are asking for a prison sentence of four years and nine months for Ippei Mizuhara, who was hired to help Ohtani communicate with his English-speaking teammates and fans as they traveled across the U.S. However, Mizuhara took advantage of the language barrier to isolate Ohtani and steal from him.

Mizuhara is set to appear in federal court in Santa Ana, California. He pleaded guilty last year to bank and tax fraud after being accused of stealing money to cover his gambling debts with an illegal bookmaker, in addition to stealing $325,000 worth of baseball cards and his own dental bills.

This case has affected one of the most famous baseball players, who previously played for the Los Angeles Angels. It has also caused a media frenzy internationally. It came out of a wider investigation into illegal sports betting organizations in Southern California and money laundering at Las Vegas casinos, which has led to the arrest of a dozen people.

Mizuhara is scheduled to pay $17 million in restitution to Ohtani and $1 million to the Internal Revenue Service.

In a letter to the court, Mizuhara explained his financial troubles and addiction to gambling, which he had hoped would solve his money problems. He also expressed admiration for Ohtani and regret for what he had done.

“I am asking for a little mercy from the court concerning my sentence you will hand down,” Mizuhara wrote. “I truly admire Shohei as a baseball player and a human being, and I was committed to devote my life so Shohei can be the best version of himself on the field. I want to say I am truly sorry for violating his trust in me.”

Ippei Mizuhara Released on $25K Bond; Allegedly Stole $16M from Shohei Ohtani
Ippei Mizuhara and Shohei Ohtani in an interview

Mizuhara started accessing Ohtani’s account in 2021 and changed the security settings so he could impersonate him and authorize wire transfers. By 2024, Mizuhara had spent the stolen money to buy about $325,000 worth of baseball cards from online sellers and placed tens of millions of dollars in illegal bets on international soccer, the NBA, the NFL, and college football.

Prosecutors stated that Mizuhara never bet on baseball and that Ohtani was unaware of the theft.

“Let there be no doubt, Mr. Ohtani is truly a victim and has suffered, and will continue to suffer, harm from defendant’s conduct,” prosecutors said.

Mizuhara’s lawyer, Michael G. Freedman, stated in court filings that Mizuhara is a gambling addict who made a “terrible mistake” and has already lost his job and reputation. Mizuhara accepts responsibility for his actions and expects to be deported to Japan after serving his sentence. Freedman has requested a sentence of one and a half years.

Mizuhara was born in Japan and moved to California at the age of 6. He had difficulty learning English but eventually did, and in 2013, he went back to Japan to work as an interpreter for a Japanese baseball team. Later, he became Ohtani’s interpreter, according to court records.

The two developed a close relationship, and Mizuhara moved with Ohtani to the U.S. in 2018, where he handled many tasks for the player, including grocery shopping.

Throughout Ohtani’s career, Mizuhara stood by his side for major events, such as being his catcher at the 2021 All-Star Game Home Run Derby, supporting him during his two American League MVP wins, and being present when Ohtani signed his record-breaking $700 million, 10-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Off the field, Mizuhara was Ohtani’s friend and confidant. He famously resigned from the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 MLB lockout so he could continue working with Ohtani and was rehired once a deal was made.

Last year, Ohtani and the Dodgers won the World Series, and Ohtani received his third Most Valuable Player award.

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Marseille is caught up in the excitement of their performances, even though they have little chance of winning a trophy

Marseille players celebrates after the win

After the lap of honor, the team gathered for a photo on the pitch with every player and the assistant coaches.

The kind of celebration seen with Marseille last Sunday usually happens after winning a trophy, but there was no trophy to be seen. Marseille had simply won 3-2 against Lyon in a Ligue 1 match.

While the players stood with their arms raised, looking like champions, coach Roberto de Zerbi was missing. He celebrated with the fans but turned down an invitation from the players to join the photo with them. Marseille was still 10 points behind Paris Saint-Germain in the title race, not in European competitions, and out of the French Cup.

So, why were they so excited?

The celebrations seemed over the top, reminding some people of Arsenal’s team from ten years ago, when they were known for taking photos celebrating wins against big teams but not for winning major trophies.

“Of course, celebrate, but it’s nonsense, all of these team pictures in dressing rooms,” Premier League soccer expert Jamie Carragher said on Sky Sports. “Normally, you have them with a cup.”

At that time, online curating was just starting to grow, and now, ten years later, Marseille’s Instagram feed is full of photos from the Lyon match.

Was all of this excitement for just a regular Ligue 1 win?

Marseille players celebrate after winning the French League

It highlights how Marseille now focuses more on celebrating who they beat than what they win — a sharp contrast from their glory days in the late 1980s and early 1990s, which included winning France’s only Champions League title in 1993.

Since then, Marseille hasn’t won anything major, with their last trophy being the 2012 League Cup. Their last league title was in 2010. A year later, PSG was taken over by wealthy Qatari investors, and PSG has dominated French soccer ever since.

Just like star goalkeeper Petr Cech avoided taking part in Arsenal’s celebratory photos — as he had already won 13 trophies with Chelsea — De Zerbi might have been trying to send a message to his players not to get too carried away.

And it’s understandable, considering the team’s inconsistency. The Lyon win came after two losses and a draw.

Next, they face Angers, who are in 12th place, and anything less than a win would make such celebrations look ridiculous.

Champions League Efficiency to French Cup Disaster

Lille’s supporters will hope for a strong home win on Saturday against the bottom team, Le Havre, after their embarrassing French Cup loss to second-tier Dunkerque. Lille gave up an equalizer in the last moments of the match and lost in the penalty shootout, despite having a 2-0 lead.

This is the same Lille team that thrashed Feyenoord 6-1 to secure direct qualification for the Champions League knockout stage.

Rennes Needs Results After Big Spending

Rennes spent over 70 million euros ($73 million) during the winter transfer window, second only to Saudi Pro League team Al-Nassr and Manchester City. Currently, Rennes is in 15th place in Ligue 1 and struggling. The club’s third coach this season, Habib Beye, will take charge of their match against Saint-Etienne on Saturday.

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NHL on TNT panel criticizes Connor Bedard after his tough performance in loss to the Oilers in Chicago

Darnell Nurse and Connor Bedard (NHL)

Connor Bedard is not going through a sophomore slump, but his second season in the NHL has had more tough games than successful ones, reflected in the team’s record.

On Wednesday, the Chicago Blackhawks lost 4-3 in overtime to the Edmonton Oilers. Bedard had an assist during the loss, but it was his mistakes, like giving up the puck and making soft passes, that caught the attention of the NHL on TNT panel. They criticized the 19-year-old, accusing him of playing “pond hockey.”

“I think his game has to evolve, continue to evolve,” said TNT analyst and former NHL player Anson Carter. “We know he can put up points. But it’s winning hockey. That’s what the Chicago Blackhawks want to see out of that young centerman.”

Bedard, who led all rookies with 22 goals and 61 points last year, has scored 15 goals and 46 points in 53 games this season. He is tied for 44th in league scoring. However, his defensive play has been a concern, which is why he was left off Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off roster, while the Blackhawks hold the second-worst record in the NHL.

“Sometimes I see him continue to try things that aren’t going to work at the NHL level, like soft plays that are going to get picked off and go the other way,” said TNT analyst and former NHL player Paul Bissonnette. “As much good as he does, he doesn’t always do great things.”

Connor Bedard (NHL)

It’s important to remember that Bedard is still one of the youngest players in the NHL. The struggles he’s facing are typical for a teenager playing on a rebuilding Blackhawks team, which just traded away one of its top players, Taylor Hall.

However, for the Blackhawks to improve, Bedard will need to become more responsible for the parts of the game that don’t always show up on the scoresheet or in highlight reels.

Bedard has a minus-23 rating, which is the seventh-worst in the NHL (though it’s only the third-worst among Chicago players). Among forwards, he is tied for 41st with 52 giveaways. His face-off win percentage of 34.7% is outside the top 150 among centers who have played at least 42 games.

Until these areas improve, Chicago is unlikely to be in playoff contention, and Bedard may not make Canada’s Olympic roster for 2026.

“There are so many little details to his game that he’s lacking right now,” said Bissonnette. “Yes, he might put up 30 to 35 goals a season and get his 50 to 55 assists by playing power play and getting all these minutes, but they’re going to continue to lose hockey games if that’s how he’s playing.

“That is pond hockey.”