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Tuchel opens World Cup door for 16-year-old Dowman

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Tuchel opens World Cup door for 16-year-old Dowman

England go into the upcoming international season with an XXL squad. Not included is youngster Max Dowman (16), for whom Thomas Tuchel has nevertheless opened a door for the World Cup.

When Thomas Tuchel announced his 35-player XXL squad for the upcoming international season on Friday morning, one name was unsurprisingly not on the list: Max Dowman. The Arsenal FC winger was nevertheless a topic of discussion at Tuchel’s press conference. After all, Dowman only recently made the headlines again when he led Arsenal to a late victory over Everton with an assist and an outstanding solo goal and, at just 16 years and 73 days old, became the youngest goalscorer in the Premier League.

His coach Mikel Arteta was not the only one to sing the praises of his jewel, who he had already used once in the Champions League at the age of 15, making him the youngest player in the tournament’s history. Although Dowman has been out for some time with an ankle injury, the youngster, who signed a long-term contract at the end of January, is now back in the thick of the action – and despite not being called up, is an option for Tuchel.

“Everyone who tells me about Max is full of praise for him,” said Tuchel on Friday, before going on to assess Dowman’s current situation: “The reality at the moment is that he has to fight for playing time, he’s not a regular at Arsenal.” However, the winger is “in the best possible environment, in a competitive club, in a stable club, in a club where teamwork is paramount.” According to Tuchel, Dowman is “learning from the very best every day.”

England’s national team coach put the brakes on a little, but still opened the door for Dowman to potentially take part in the World Cup in the summer. “We always have the option to maybe nominate him for the World Cup. With young players, it’s about keeping the momentum going and maintaining their enthusiasm. They have a certain fearlessness about them,“ praised Tuchel, who added, however, that there is currently ”no need to nominate him now and increase the pressure and the hype that comes with it.” Dowman can and should continue to create hype for himself.

Rosenior’s announcements fizzle out – Chelsea’s low is reminiscent of 1993

Phil Laffertey
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Rosenior’s announcements fizzle out – Chelsea’s low is reminiscent of 1993

Chelsea FC have lost four competitive games in a row for the first time since 1993. After the 3-0 defeat at Everton, Liam Rosenior spoke of the “most disappointing evening” of his short time in charge.

After two weeks to forget, Chelsea FC staggered into the international break. For the first time since 1993, the Blues have lost four competitive games in a row. After the 3-0 defeat at Everton FC, coach Liam Rosenior spoke of the “most disappointing evening so far” in his short time in charge.

After Chelsea had also clearly lost their second round of 16 clash with PSG during the week, Rosenior made a number of announcements to his team. But they all fell flat. “In terms of the things we talked about – not giving goals away lightly, taking control of the game – it just didn’t work,” criticized the 41-year-old on Sky Sports.

The Englishman does not see the picture as dark as it is currently being painted. “We’re only one point short of the Champions League,” Rosenior clarified. But Chelsea should start to look in the rear-view mirror. The competition has come alarmingly close, with Everton also closing to within two points.

“I’m just getting to know this club. There’s been a lot of negative buzz, and rightly so, about our performances in the last week,“ admitted Rosenior, before adding: ”We’ve played 10 league games together as a team and picked up 17 points. I think we’ve been in fourth place since I’ve been here. Let’s forget the noise, we have to stay calm and composed.”

A new series? Break comes “at the right time”

The upcoming international break “probably comes at the right time for us to get going again and have another really good series”. Then it will also be about winning back the favor of the fans. The majority of CFC supporters had already left the stadium before the final whistle. The third goal conceded was followed by derisive chants against the club management before they left early.

Rosenior, meanwhile, criticized above all a “nervous” opening phase with “unnecessary ball losses” that were constantly being repeated. The series in question will need more than just an improvement in these shortcomings: After the international break, Manchester City, Manchester United and an away game at Brighton & Hove Albion, who outclassed Liverpool (2:1) on Saturday, are among those waiting in April.

Werner outshines Müller – Hartel scores incredible goal

Lesley Summerville
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Werner outshines Müller – Hartel scores incredible goal

The San Jose Earthquakes handed the Vancouver Whitecaps their first MLS defeat, Thomas Müller and Timo Werner remained inconspicuous as wild cards. Marcel Hartel was completely different in St. Louis.

Timo Werner won his first MLS clash with Thomas Müller. His San Jose Earthquakes celebrated a 1-0 away win at the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday night (CET) on matchday 5 of the MLS season, the first time they have not won after four victories. San Jose are now also on twelve points.

For once, the two former German internationals only played a supporting role. Müller remained just as inconspicuous after his substitution at the break as Werner, who was allowed to get involved from the 54th minute onwards – and was already cautioned: the ex-Leipzig player had complained too vehemently on the bench in the first half.

Beau Leroux scored the winner as stoppage time of the first half had already expired. After a corner, the Whitecaps failed to clear the ball, allowing the 22-year-old American to nail it under the crossbar from 20 meters.

For the Whitecaps, it was the next setback after the clear elimination in the CONCACAF Champions Cup during the week. Los Angeles FC, who drew 0-0 at Austin FC, are now the new leaders in the Western Conference. This means that no MLS team is now without a loss.

Hartel surprises Turner – Surridge runs hot

St. Louis City SC recorded their first win of the season. A former Bundesliga professional played a starring role in the 3-1 home win against New England Revolution. Marcel Hartel, once under contract with 1. FC Köln, Union Berlin, Arminia Bielefeld and FC St. Pauli, scored one of the most beautiful goals of the season so far: midway through the opponent’s half, the 30-year-old intercepted a misplaced pass and, with a quick reaction, fired it volleyed over the stunned US national keeper Matt Turner and into the net. It was the final score and Hartel’s second goal of the season.

Hany Mukhtar’s Nashville SC are top of the Eastern Conference. In the 5:0 thumping victory over Orlando City, the headlines belonged to goalscorer Sam Surridge, who scored a treble (28th/54th/67th). The former Premier League striker finished the pre-season second in the goalscoring charts (24 goals, as did Denis Bouanga/LAFC) behind Lionel Messi (29 goals).

Spectacle in San Siro: two special minutes are enough for Milan

Phil Laffertey
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Spectacle in San Siro: two special minutes are enough for Milan

In the championship race, AC Milan gently increased the pressure on undisputed leaders Inter. In their 3-2 win against FC Torino, the Rossoneri benefited from two special minutes after the break.

The pressure on Milan had increased in the previous week: After the narrow derby win against Inter, the Rossoneri had failed to add a third win in a row. Instead, coach Max Allegri’s team lost 1-0 at Lazio – and had to deliver against Torino. However, coach Roberto d’Aversa’s team had recently impressed with a 4:1 win against Parma.

In the first 45 minutes, the visitors showed in San Siro that they are a force to be reckoned with. Time and again, Torino played boldly forward. Milan had their problems before a Sunday shot set the course for victory: After a poor clearance by Coco, Pavlovic’s shot from the second row crashed against the bottom edge of the crossbar and from there behind the line (37′).

The visitors, however, did not allow themselves to be rattled by this and continued to attack boldly. With success: A powerful low shot from Vlasic was deflected onto the post by Maignan, but Simeone was in the right-hand corner of the five-yard box and dusted off the ball (44′).

In the dressing room, Allegri had obviously found clear words, because Milan showed a completely different face. Spurred on by the crowd, the Rossoneri exerted great pressure on their opponents. And they were rewarded with a double strike: first, Modric made a strong pass to Pulisic and Rabiot bent the ball into the goal with his thigh (54′), and a minute later, Fofana flicked a pass from joker Athekame into the right-hand corner (55′).

Everything looked set for a home win before Torino got back into the game with a penalty for which Pavlovic was at fault (grabbing Simeone’s face): Vlasic converted superbly from eleven meters into the top right corner after VAR intervention (83′). However, the home side held on for their 18th league win and are currently “only” five points behind Inter, who visit Florence on Sunday evening.

Last-second winner: Magic lose dramatically to Lakers

Sports Of The Day
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Last-second winner: Magic lose dramatically to Lakers

The Orlando Magic have lost their fourth game in a row. Things looked very good for a long time against the Los Angeles Lakers – until they started to catch up in the final minute.

The lead swapped back and forth between the Lakers and Magic ten times. However, it was the final change that decided the game. With just 2.6 seconds left on the clock, Marcus Smart found the criminally neglected Luke Kennard inbound and he drained a three from the buzzer to give his side the lead (104:105). In Orlando’s defense, Wendell Carter Jr. and Desmond Bane had missed the set-up for the switch.

The three-pointer was part of a furious comeback by the Lakers in the final minute. With 50 seconds remaining, Paolo Banchero (16 PTS) had put his team five points in front at the free throw line before Austin Reaves scored a lay-up and then Deandre Ayton reduced the deficit at the line.

Doncic leads all players with 33 points

The defeat was bitter for several reasons. On the one hand, the Lakers had managed to erase a 14-point lead beforehand, but failed to bring about a preliminary decision themselves. The visitors from L.A. had shot unusually poorly from the field (44.8%) and relied heavily in offense on the individual scoring of Luka Doncic (33 PTS, 8 AST) and Austin Reaves (26, eleven of them in the 4th quarter).

On the other hand, the defeat was the fourth in a row for the Orlando Magic, who slipped back into a play-in spot for the time being. The simultaneous victories of the Philadelphia 76ers and Atlanta Hawks are responsible for this.

This is how it stands in the conferences.

Tristan da Silva was once again in the starting line-up for the home side and impressed with twelve points (4/6). Moritz Wagner did not play. The Magic next face the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night (0:00).

Bradley Lord: Who is Mercedes’ new deputy team principal?

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Bradley Lord: Who is Mercedes’ new deputy team principal?

Mercedes has announced a restructuring of the management structure of its Formula 1 team. Bradley Lord steps up to become Toto Wolff’s deputy

Bradley Lord may be recognizable to many as the voice who has often slipped into Toto Wolff’s role to take over Sky Sports UK’s pit wall interview on race weekends. However, the Brit typically remains a background figure in the public eye. But who is he?

Lord is no stranger to Formula 1, having started in the premier class 25 years ago when he joined the then Benetton team in 2001 as an intern in the press department. This led to a promotion to Senior Press Officer at the world champion Renault team in 2006, the same team in a different guise. He held this role for two years.

Lord then crossed the stream that separates journalism and communication. He became Features Editor of the former F1 Racing magazine in 2008 before moving back across the water, first to Renault as Head of Communications in 2010 and then to Daimler AG, Mercedes’ parent company, as Communications Manager in 2011.

In this role, he oversaw operations across all of Mercedes’ motorsport activities from Stuttgart before focusing on the Silver Arrows’ Formula 1 offering from 2013, as Communications Manager.

His role became Head of F1 Communications a year later and then Mercedes-Benz Motorsport Communications Director in 2017. This encompassed the team’s golden period in the sport, with seven drivers’ titles and eight constructors’ crowns.

2021 brought another title change, this time to Strategic Communications Director and then Chief Communications Officer. This role was then combined with a Team Representative role in 2024, which has largely been a stepping stone to his new position.

As Mercedes has explained, Lord has been instrumental in shaping the team’s culture, communication and wider strategic cohesion. He will now be Wolff’s right-hand man, if he isn’t already. This fills a gap left by the departure of former Driver Development Director Jerome D’Ambrosio in 2024.

Villeneuve warns: Formula 1’s entertainment factor can wear off quickly

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Villeneuve warns: Formula 1’s entertainment factor can wear off quickly

Jacques Villeneuve finds Formula 1 2026 entertaining from a spectator perspective – but the question is whether this will remain the case in the coming months

Expert Jacques Villeneuve believes that Formula 1 has put on “a good show” on the first two race weekends of the 2026 season. “It’s very different racing [than before], but it’s fun,” the 1997 world champion told Sky.

At the same time, however, he also made it clear that this was only his opinion as an observer from the outside. As an active driver, he would probably have “hated” the “new” Formula 1 this year, the Canadian admits.

Several active drivers had already expressed their criticism of the new Formula 1 regulations. One of the biggest critics is Max Verstappen, who has repeatedly emphasized that real racing is no longer possible under the new rules.

Villeneuve explains in this context that different skills are required this year than before. “You still see the better [drivers] at the front,” he believes, however. And the spectators have been treated to a good show so far.

However, the 54-year-old is not sure whether this will remain the case in the coming months. After all, the season opener in Melbourne was also so interesting because nobody really knew what to expect from the new regulations.

There were numerous lead changes in the early stages of the race, and fans in China also saw first a sprint and later a main race, in which there was a tough battle at the front between Mercedes and Ferrari at the start.

“But if we have ten races that are all exactly the same, it will get boring at some point,” warns Villeneuve. Especially as the early stages of each race were exciting, but in the end Mercedes always won – and sometimes quite clearly.

If this pattern continues in the upcoming races, Villeneuve fears that the entertainment factor of the “new” Formula 1 could wear off quite quickly. At the moment, however, it is definitely entertaining for the spectators.

Racing Bulls in Japan with spectacular special design

Andrew Jackson
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Racing Bulls in Japan with spectacular special design

VCARB unveils special livery for Suzuka in Tokyo. Calligrapher Bisen Aoyagi created design inspired by cherry blossoms and Red Bull Spring Edition

Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has unveiled a spectacular special livery ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix. The design was created by renowned Japanese calligrapher Bisen Aoyagi and was unveiled during the Red Bull Tokyo Drift event, where over 500 custom cars and drift performances turned night into day.

The paintwork picks up on the colors of the new Red Bull Spring Edition and combines white, red and silver in a design inspired by cherry blossoms and Japanese Shodo calligraphy. Expressive brushstrokes run across the chassis and team clothing. The lettering “Give You Wiiings” in traditional calligraphy combines modern Formula 1 aesthetics with Japanese culture.

VCARB drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad were on site for the presentation and took part in an exclusive question and answer session with the audience. The actual unveiling was spectacularly staged by drift driver Mike Whiddett, known as “Mad Mike”. Using a Red Bull Mini converted into a drift car, he pulled the cover off the VCARB and revealed the new design.

“Calligraphy captures movement in a single brushstroke, just like racing captures speed in a decisive moment,” explained Bisen Aoyagi. She drew inspiration from cherry blossoms and Japanese culture to create a design that looks powerful, elegant and vibrant on the car.

VCARB CEO Peter Bayer emphasized the importance of connecting with young fans and local cultures. “The creative direction for this special livery and team wear came from the Red Bull Spring Edition can. Together with Bisen Aoyagi, we transformed this bold design into something truly unique for the circuit,” said Bayer. The unveiling in Tokyo in front of the fans makes the moment special for the team.

On March 22, the VCARB will tour Tokyo in the Spring Edition livery, passing iconic locations such as the Meguro River and Tokyo Tower, where the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. One day later, on March 23, fans will be able to see the car up close at SHIBUYA109 SHIBUYA.

The Japanese Grand Prix will take place from March 27 to 29 at the Suzuka Circuit. The race is scheduled to start on Sunday at 14:00 local time, which corresponds to 07:00 in the morning German time (CEST). The starting grid will be drawn up in qualifying on Saturday from 15:00 local time, which is 08:00 in Germany.

Formula 1 hype in the USA: Why Verstappen no longer goes unrecognized

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Formula 1 hype in the USA: Why Verstappen no longer goes unrecognized

In the past, Max Verstappen could travel through California unrecognized – today, the four-time world champion is approached in the USA.

It wasn’t so long ago that Max Verstappen was a tourist like any other in the USA. A young man who drove from Los Angeles to San Francisco in a rental car without anyone asking him for a selfie at the petrol station.

But those days are gone for good. The Netflix effect and the massive success of the new “F1” blockbuster have fundamentally shifted the perception of the premier class overseas – something the four-time world champion is feeling first-hand.

In an interview with Apple TV, the Dutchman looked back on the time when Formula 1 still had a niche existence in the United States. “I remember 2018, 2019. I went on a road trip, from LA all the way to San Francisco,” says Verstappen. “You could walk around and hardly get recognized.”

Today, that’s unimaginable. Thanks to the documentary series “Drive to Survive” and the feature film F1 with Brad Pitt, which was released in June 2025, the Red Bull driver’s anonymity is history.

“You definitely get recognized more often in the USA these days. But that’s a good thing,” emphasizes the four-time champion. “People are more engaged with the sport and the fan base is growing noticeably. When we come to the race weekends in the cities, it’s really packed now.”

Bestseller F1: Sequel already in the works

The success proves Liberty Media’s strategy right: the F1 movie has grossed over 630 million US dollars worldwide since its release. A success that has already had consequences: A sequel has long been decided.

Producer legend Jerry Bruckheimer confirmed to the BBC that work on a second part has already begun.

“It was a long road to realize this film, also because of the strikes – but in the end it entertained audiences worldwide.” For Bruckheimer, working with lead actor Brad Pitt was a first: “It was a real thrill to work with Brad.”

What’s next for Sonny Hayes?

Director Joseph Kosinski, who confirmed talks about a sequel back in November 2025, is also in the midst of planning. “We’re at the stage where we’re envisioning what the next chapter could look like for Sonny Hayes and APXGP,” Kosinski told Variety.

The team behind the movie seems ready for a return to the racetrack: “After the worldwide response to this movie, it’s something people want to see. I’d be happy to do it again, because we had an incredible amount of fun with the first one.”

For Max Verstappen, this probably means that sunglasses alone will no longer be enough camouflage for his next trip to California.

Miami: Zverev wins opening match

Lesley Summerville
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Miami: Zverev wins opening match

The German number one Alexander Zverev will face the Croatian Marin Cilic after his opening win in Miami. Jannik Sinner is also through to the third round.

Tennis star Alexander Zverev has easily overcome his opening hurdle at the Masters in Miami and moved into the third round. The German number one beat the American qualifier Martin Damm 6:2, 6:4 in the second round match in Florida and will now face the Croatian Marin Cilic.

“I’m happy with the match, happy with my performance and looking forward to what lies ahead,” said Zverev, who reached the final in Miami in 2018. The Hamburg native converted his first match point against the world number 133 Damm after 1:09 hours. Zverev, seeded third, had a walk-through in the first round.

Zverev hones his best form – Sinner makes short work of it

At the Masters in Indian Wells, the 28-year-old recently lost in the semi-finals to the eventual tournament winner Jannik Sinner (Italy) without a chance. Sinner also made short work of his opponent in his opening match on Sunday night, defeating the Bosnian Damir Dzumhur 6:3, 6:3.

Zverev is already the last remaining German in the tournament in Miami, where he wants to work on his best form, particularly with a view to the French Open at the end of May.

Eva Lys, Ella Seidel and Tatjana Maria in the women’s draw and Jan-Lennard Struff, Yannick Hanfmann and Daniel Altmaier in the men’s draw had already failed in the first round, Laura Siegemund was eliminated in the second round.

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