Global pressure mounts on Israel as Gaza death toll surges, war deepens    Egypt targets 7.7% AI contribution to GDP by 2030: Communications Minister    Irrigation Minister highlights Egypt's water challenges, innovation efforts at DAAD centenary celebration    Egypt discusses strengthening agricultural ties, investment opportunities with Indian delegation    Al-Sisi welcomes Spain's monarch in historic first visit, with Gaza, regional peace in focus    Cairo governor briefs PM on Khan el-Khalili, Rameses Square development    El Gouna Film Festival's 8th edition to coincide with UN's 80th anniversary    Egypt's gold prices fall on Wednesday    Egypt expands medical, humanitarian support for Gaza patients    Egypt condemns Israeli offensive in Gaza City, warns of grave regional consequences    Cairo University, Roche Diagnostics inaugurate automated lab at Qasr El-Ainy    Egypt investigates disappearance of ancient bracelet from Egyptian Museum in Tahrir    Egypt launches international architecture academy with UNESCO, European partners    Egypt signs MoUs with 3 European universities to advance architecture, urban studies    Egypt's Sisi, Qatar's Emir condemn Israeli strikes, call for Gaza ceasefire    Egypt condemns terrorist attack in northwest Pakistan    Egyptian pound ends week lower against US dollar – CBE    Egypt hosts G20 meeting for 1st time outside member states    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt seeks Indian expertise to boost pharmaceutical industry    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Debutant keeper Areola saves France in draw with Germany in Nations League
Published in Ahram Online on 06 - 09 - 2018

World champions France never hit top form and had third-choice keeper Alphonse Areola to thank for a 0-0 draw against Germany in their inaugural Nations League game on Thursday, their first appearance since lifting the World Cup.
On a rainy evening in Munich, Germany won back some respect with a battling performance after their shock World Cup group- stage exit in Russia, their earliest in 80 years in the tournament.
The French looked to be nursing a post-World Cup hangover, lacking their usual speed and creativity and but for Areola's key saves in the second half the final scoreline would have been different.
The Nations League, brainchild of European soccer body UEFA, aims to boost interest in the autumn and spring internationals, which were seen by clubs and fans as disruptive to the domestic football season.
To be held every two years, it features all 55 of Europe's national teams divided into four divisions split into four groups, with games to be played between September and November.
Unusually, the Germans started with four central defenders and with Joshua Kimmich switching from right back to a holding midfield position, as coach Joachim Loew tried to strike a better balance between attack and defence than his team had done in Russia.
His France counterpart Didier Deschamps fielded his World Cup final team, including Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba, apart for injured keeper Hugo Lloris, with Areola making his debut.
Neither side were eager to risk much, with a chance apiece in the first half - a blocked Olivier Giroud header for France and Germany forward Timo Werner's low shot.
Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer did well to save a Griezmann effort just past the hour but it was Areola who made the saves of the day, first punching Marco Reus' close-range effort wide.
The 25-year-old, who only got to start because Lloris and second choice Steve Mandanda are injured, denied Mats Hummels, tipped a Thomas Mueller chip over the bar and stopped Matthias Ginter from scoring from close range as the hosts grew in confidence but ran out of time.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)


Clic here to read the story from its source.