Serie A

Calhanoglu’s Penalty Miss Highlights Uncertainty in Serie A Title Race Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, known for his impeccable penalty record, experienced an unexpected setback this weekend as he missed a crucial spot-kick during Inter's 1-1 draw with Napoli. This moment has sparked discussions about the unpredictability of the Serie A title race. Calhanoglu had successfully converted all 19 of his previous penalty attempts since joining Inter from Milan in 2021. His miss, which saw the ball ricochet off the post in the second half, was a shock to fans and pundits alike. “It had to happen sooner or later,” Calhanoglu remarked, but the question remains: were we prepared for such a twist in the narrative of the title race? As commentator Patrick Kendrick aptly noted, “With Calhanoglu missing, we’re just left with the misery of death and taxes.” This incident serves as a reminder that in football, and particularly in Serie A, nothing can be taken for granted. The title race is now tighter than ever, leaving fans and teams alike to grapple with the uncertainty that lies ahead.

In a disappointing turn of events, Borussia Dortmund faced a 2-1 defeat against Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Saturday, leaving them with just 10 players on the field. This loss marks their second defeat in just five days, following a heavy 5-2 loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League, where they squandered a 2-0 lead. Augsburg's Alexis Claude-Maurice was the standout performer, scoring both goals for his team. The defeat has intensified pressure on Dortmund's coach, Nuri Sahin, as the team struggles to find form. Meanwhile, in Serie A, Napoli continued their impressive run, extending their unbeaten streak and pulling five points clear at the top of the table.

**‘Lethal’ Retegui is Leading a Reshaped Atalanta and Dominating Serie A’s Scoring Charts** Mateo Retegui, a surprising addition from Genoa, has quickly made his mark at Atalanta, showcasing his talent and adaptability under the guidance of his manager. When Roberto Mancini reached out to Retegui last March to invite him to represent the Italian national team, the striker didn’t hesitate. “I just said yes right away,” he recalled. Despite being born and raised in Argentina, having never lived in Italy and not speaking the language, Retegui made an immediate impact, scoring on his international debut against England in Naples just days later. This decision transformed the course of his career. At just 23 years old and playing for Tigre on loan from Boca Juniors, Retegui was not a name that many European scouts were familiar with. He had netted 23 goals across all competitions in 2022, but there were lingering doubts about his potential. His parent club chose not to exercise their option to bring him back at the end of the year, and Argentina's manager, Lionel Scaloni, showed little interest in Retegui's choice to play for Italy. However, Retegui's move to Atalanta has proven to be a game-changer, as he has quickly risen to the top of Serie A's scoring charts, demonstrating his lethal finishing ability and seamless integration into the team.

In a thrilling match on Friday, Napoli's Scott McTominay made an impressive impact by scoring just 25 seconds into the game, leading his team to a 3-1 victory over Como. Alongside McTominay, Romelu Lukaku and David Neres also found the back of the net, solidifying Napoli's position at the top of the Serie A standings. Under the management of Antonio Conte, Napoli now boasts 16 points after seven matches, extending their lead to four points ahead of Juventus, who are set to face Cagliari on Sunday. This win further cements Napoli's dominance in the league as they continue their strong start to the season.

**From Initial Hesitations to Serie A Success: Che Adams Reflects on His Torino Move** Che Adams, the Scotland striker, recently shared his journey of transitioning to life in Italy with Torino, a move that initially came with some reservations. Despite having "little doubts" about relocating, Adams has quickly found his footing and is now celebrating his team's position at the top of Serie A. Adams' decision to join Torino was not without its challenges, as moving to a new country and adapting to a different football culture can be daunting. However, his determination and talent have shone through, helping him integrate into the squad and contribute to their impressive performance in the league. Now, as Torino enjoys a successful run, Adams reflects on how overcoming his initial uncertainties has led to a rewarding experience both on and off the pitch. His journey serves as an inspiring reminder of the potential that comes with embracing change and taking risks in pursuit of one's career goals.

Wales is set to face South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series, with live updates starting at 5:40 PM UK time. In a recent commentary, Andy Bull expressed strong opinions about the current state of Welsh rugby and head coach Warren Gatland. He noted that Gatland has appeared increasingly beleaguered since he offered to resign if it would benefit Welsh rugby following a heavy defeat to Australia, where Wales lost 52-20. Bull described Gatland as a good man and a once-great coach, but suggested that it seems he may be on the verge of taking the fall for the team's struggles. He argued that this situation could ultimately compel Welsh rugby to confront its ongoing issues.

Steve Borthwick is under pressure to increase the number of offloads in England's upcoming match against Japan as he faces off against his predecessor, Eddie Jones. This clash is crucial for England, who are seeking their first victory in the Autumn Nations Series. Since their last encounter with Jones in Tokyo at the end of June, England has struggled significantly, failing to secure a win in the subsequent 155 days. The team has suffered five consecutive losses, leading to a decline in morale among players and supporters alike. On the other hand, Japan has also faced challenges since their heavy defeat to England, where they conceded 52 points. They have struggled defensively, with Italy and Fiji both scoring over 40 points against them, and a reshuffled French team racking up 52 points. New Zealand also dominated them with a staggering 64 points in Yokohama. Although Japan managed to secure a 36-20 victory over Uruguay last week, Jones's return as head coach has been a gradual process. As the two teams prepare to meet, Borthwick will need to find ways to revitalize England's performance and restore confidence ahead of this important match.

France concluded their Autumn Nations Series on a high note, securing a 37-23 victory over Argentina at the Stade de France. This win marked their third consecutive triumph in the series. Just six days after a thrilling 30-29 win against New Zealand, Fabien Galthié’s team demonstrated their dominance against the Pumas. They scored a penalty try along with tries from Thibaud Flament, Gabin Villiere, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Thomas Ramos also had an outstanding performance, contributing 15 points with his flawless kicking. With this victory, France solidified their perfect autumn campaign, showcasing their strength and cohesion on the field.

**Five Players to Watch: India’s Key Figures in the Test Series Against Australia** As the Border-Gavaskar Trophy approaches, the longstanding rivalry between India and Australia is set to take center stage once again. Over the past decade, these two teams have consistently been at the forefront of Test cricket, competing fiercely for titles across all formats. Their impressive winning percentages in red-ball cricket have solidified their status as the top two Test teams, and they currently lead the World Test Championship standings after facing off in the final last year. In that match, Australia emerged victorious with a commanding 209-run win at the Oval, marking a successful cycle of renewal for the team. While India has yet to secure a win in a World Test Championship final—having also lost to New Zealand in the inaugural match in 2021—they have maintained a stronghold on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India has triumphed in the last four Test series against Australia, winning twice at home and twice on Australian soil, with the last time they relinquished the trophy being nearly a decade ago. As the series unfolds, here are five Indian players, both established stars and emerging talents, who could play pivotal roles in shaping the outcome of the matches against Australia.

Australia completed a clean sweep of their T20 series against Pakistan, winning the final match by seven wickets in Hobart. Marcus Stoinis played a pivotal role in the victory, showcasing his batting prowess as Australia chased down Pakistan's total of 117 runs, finishing at 118 for three. The match was marred by a hamstring injury to Glenn Maxwell, who had to leave the field after experiencing discomfort while fielding. Fortunately, he did not need to bat and is expected to have nearly a month to recover before the Big Bash League season opener for the Melbourne Stars against Perth on December 15.