Belgrade – Serbia president Aleksandar Vucic on Friday blasted fans of Paris Saint Germain as “bandits and hooligans” after a stormy Champions League clash against Red Star Belgrade in the French capital.
“We are going to ask for the names of the bandits and hooligans who attacked supporters of Red Star Belgrade with batons,” said Vucic in remarks quoted by national press agency Beta.
“We want to see them punished.”
Supporters of the two sides clashed after Wednesday’s game at the Parc des Princes which was won 6-1 by the French champions with around 300-400 hooded fans met with tear gas by French riot police.
FOXBORO, Mass. — The Indianapolis Colts took the field at Gillette Stadium already down two players from the maximum of 46 allowed on the active roster. And they were down to 40 players by the time the game ended in a 38-24 loss to the New England Patriots.
It was another busy night for Andrew Luck, who threw 59 passes with the Colts playing from behind. Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
These aren’t the Colts of old, who would fall behind big early and never make it much of a game. One of the things coach Frank Reich has instilled is a constant competitive culture.
When it was all over, though, the Colts’ youth and miscues were too much to overcome in their eighth straight loss to the Patriots.
The simple explanation for the Colts losing to the Patriots would be to say that their roster was ravaged by injuries. But, that would let them off the hook too easily.
Injuries weren’t the reason that kicker Adam Vinatieri missed a 38-yard field goal, ending an impressive 14-play drive when they were down 7-0. They also don’t explain why Colts receivers had at least five drops. The same with Jordan Wilkins having the ball stripped because he didn’t secure it while trying to pick up extra yards. Or why receiver Zach Pascal dropped a pass that went to Patriots defensive back Jason McCourty when Indianapolis was trying to cut into New England’s 14-point lead in the fourth quarter.
And even as good as Luck played, especially in the second half, he wasn’t immune from mistakes. He was intercepted when he forced a pass while under duress late in the first half. That was Luck’s biggest blemish. He followed up his 464-yard passing game in Week 4 by going 38-of-59 for 365 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions as he continues his impressive comeback. Luck has attempted 121 passes in a four-day span.
The Colts’ defense picked off two passes despite ending the game without five starters. It was too bad they couldn’t take advantage of those opportunities. The Colts scored seven points off those turnovers. The Patriots scored 10 points off the Colts’ three turnovers.
It’s unknown when the Colts (1-4) will be a healthy team again, meaning they’ll continue to lean on their youth. One thing that will continue to happen throughout this process is that they’ll be competitive.
Naples – Napoli have been charged by UEFA after fans set off flares during the team’s 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League in Naples.
Lorenzo Insigne’s late winner sent Carlo Ancelotti’s side top of Group C after two games, one point ahead of Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool.
But on Thursday the Italian side were charged by European football’s governing body for breaching disciplinary regulations, with fans allegedly setting off flares in the home end.
Paris Saint-Germain have also been charged after fans set off flares and for crowd trouble in the game against Red Star Belgrade.
The Serbian side face charges over crowd trouble and for fans’ “illicit chants”.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — If Denver Broncos star Von Miller had owned the top pick in the most recent NFL draft, he would’ve selected Sam Darnold.
“I don’t know nothing about drafting a quarterback or anything like that, but I thought he was the No. 1 pick, for sure,” Miller told New York area reporters Wednesday on a conference call.
Von Miller said he has been impressed by Sam Darnold’s ability to escape pressure. Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire
“I thought he was the best offensive player in the draft,” Miller said. “He’s a great quarterback. He’s been playing well. They haven’t been coming up with the wins, but he’s playing really well.”
Actually, Darnold has been the NFL’s lowest-rated passer (63.8) over the past three weeks — all losses for the Jets (1-3). Perhaps Miller, a savvy veteran, was engaging in some gamesmanship.
Darnold was the No. 3 overall pick, following quarterback Baker Mayfield and running back Saquon Barkley, respectively. (The Broncos took pass-rusher Bradley Chubb at No. 5.)
Miller sent mixed signals, saying Mayfield was “rightfully” the top pick. But the linebacker quickly added, “In my opinion, just watching everything from a pass-rusher’s point of view, I just feel like [Darnold] was the No. 1 pick in the draft. He wasn’t the No. 1 pick, but he’s definitely playing like it.”
Darnold has the worst passer rating in the NFL over the past three weeks, but the Jets are seeing improvement. Now it’s a matter of executing.
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Darnold smiled when Miller’s comments were relayed to him.
“I mean, it’s a good feeling; I’m not going to lie. But at the same time, I can’t worry about that,” Darnold said. “But when people like that have high praise for me or they’re saying cool things, it’s obviously very flattering.”
One of Darnold’s most impressive traits, Miller said, is his ability to escape pressure. In that respect, he said Darnold is nothing like Miller’s former teammate Peyton Manning.
“As a pass-rusher, you want a guy who will fall when you get to him, kind of like how Peyton was,” Miller said with a laugh. “That’s exactly what you want. When you get close to him and you get ready to touch him, just falls. Sam, he’s not like that. He’s going to create space and get the ball downfield. Rightfully so. He’s a playmaker.”
Darnold has been sacked 10 times in four starts, but he also has displayed the ability to make plays outside the pocket. He also has struggled in recent weeks, with only two touchdowns and four interceptions in the past three games.
Darnold believes he’s “on the edge” of a breakout game.
