Barcelona director Xavi O’Callaghan opened up on the departures of six crucial squad members this summer from their women's team. The Blaugrana lost the players due to their ongoing financial troubles, which forced them to offload some important players to reduce their wage bill. The Catalan giants, who begin the new season in three weeks, are currently left with only 17 first-team players.

Barca director opens up on club's financial problemsBarca women's team forced to release six key playersRolfo left for Manchester United on a free transferFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Barcelona have been forced to release as many as six key first-team players this summer, including Swedish winger Fridolina Rolfo, who started in their Women's Champions League final against Arsenal this summer. Rolfo joined Women's Super League giants Manchester United on a free transfer. Among the other important squad members who left are Ellie Roebuck, Bruna Vilamala and Martina Fernandez.

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According to , the decision to release Rolfo was not a sporting decision, but was purely made out of financial constraint. For the 2024-25 campaign, the Blaugrana spent €319m (£275m/$373m) on salaries for the men’s team and €11m on the women’s side. The grassroots football department was allocated €17m. La Liga's financial fair play rules include money spent on all sporting activities, including the wages of the women's team. 

WHAT BARCA DIRECTOR SAID

Speaking to reporters, Xavi O’Callaghan said: "The women’s team has raised its wage bill by €1M, so the money is there, but the market is inflated. To keep the key players, you need to spend more, which means relying on the academy and carefully deciding where to invest."

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Pere Romeu's side will play their first competitive game of the season on August 30 as they take on Alhama in a Liga F clash. 

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O São Paulo está escalado para enfrentar a Inter de Limeira nesta quarta-feira (15). A bola rola às 21h35 (de Brasília), no estádio do Morumbi. Entre as maiores novidades, estão a volta de Rodrigo Nestor e Gabriel Neves como titular.

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Nestor foi desfalque no clássico contra o Santos por conta de uma contratura no adutor esquerdo. Entre os titulares, Alan Franco também está presente. O zagueiro era dúvida, uma vez que deixou o duelo contra o Peixe sentindo dores.

Luan, Deyverson, Hugo Souza… Listamos 10 jogadores que ainda não entraram em campo neste ano

Veja tabela do Campeonato Paulista e simule os próximos jogos

Nas laterais, sem Orejuela e Welington, como era esperado, Nathan e Caio Paulista assumem a posição. O Tricolor vai a campo com 14 desfalques. São eles:Caio Matheus (cirurgia no joelho direito), Moreira (cirurgia no joelho esquerdo), Diego Costa (cirurgia no joelho esquerdo), Ferraresi (cirurgia no joelho direito), Rafinha (entorse no tornozelo esquerdo), André Anderson e Igor Vinícius (pubalgia), Arboleda (tendinite no joelho direito), Orejuela (estiramento no posterior direito), Welington, David e Erison (estiramento no posterior esquerdo), Alisson (questões pessoais) e Luciano (suspenso).

A partida terá transmissão na TV aberta pela Record, pelo canal do Youtube do Paulistão, e pelo Paulistão Play – streaming do Estadual.

Além dos meios citados, os torcedores de São Paulo e Inter de Limeira poderão acompanhar o confronto por meio da narração em tempo real pelo LANCE!.

Veja a escalação do São Paulo para duelo contra a Inter de Limeira:

Rafael; Nathan, Alan Franco, Beraldo e Caio Paulista; Gabi Neves e Méndez; Wellington Rato, Nestor e Galoppo; Calleri.

Suplentes: Felipe Alves, Jandrei, Luan, Pedrinho, Rodriguinho, Juan, Marcos Paulo, Patryck, Talles Costa, Belém e Pedro Vilhena.

Wrexham are in talks with Ligue 1 side Rennes over the transfer of Welsh central midfielder Jordan James in the summer window. The Red Dragons have spent heavily in the summer transfer market to rebuild their squad but are winless in their first three Championship matches. Thus, the Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney-owned side are now preparing to make further additions to bolster their team.

Wrexham in talks to sign Rennes midfielderWales international formerly played for BirminghamRed Dragons eyeing 11th signing of the summerFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

According to journalist , Wrexham have initiated talks with Rennes to secure a move for James, who remains the Welsh side's primary target in the central midfield position. The 21-year-old Wales international, who moved to France from Tom Brady-owned Birmingham City last summer, still has three years left on his existing Rennes deal.

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The report adds that the Red Dragons have also included Southampton’s Will Smallbone on their midfield shortlist in case they miss out on James. reported last week that Rennes could demand a fee in the region of €5 million (£4.3m/$5.8m) to sell the young central midfielder, who appeared in 25 matches across all competitions in the 2024-25 campaign.

DID YOU KNOW?

James could be Wrexham's 11th signing of the summer transfer window. Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have spent more than £30 million ($40.5m) to make a squad that can be competitive in the English second tier. The club's journey in the Championship, however, has been a nightmare so far, picking up just one point from their first three matches.

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Phil Parkinson's side will be back in action on Tuesday as they take on Preston in a second round Carabao Cup clash.

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Nas cerca de três horas em que ficou nas dependências da 4ª Delegacia de Defesa da Mulher, na Zona Norte paulistana, o meia-atacante Pedrinho, do São Paulo, negou que tenha agredido a ex-namorada, uma influenciadora digital de 20 anos, e que tenha feito ameaças à família dela.

O jogador prestou depoimento na noite de sexta-feira (10) pelas acusações de que teria agredido a ex-companheira, em caso ocorrido no fim de fevereiro. O LANCE! apurou com investigadores que o jogador teria se colocado à disposição para a realização de perícia, já que ele teria alegado que foi agredido pela jovem.

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+Ângelo responde proposta do Flamengo, Real Madrid volta a mirar Mbappé… O Dia do Mercado!

Ainda segundo a polícia, Pedrinho teria negado versão surgida na última fala da jovem, de que apresentava comportamento violento constantemente e que chegou inclusive a ameaçar o pai dela e outros familiares.

A apuração do caso continua. Na próxima semana, devem ser avaliados laudos pedidos pela polícia. Serão ouvidas testemunhas arroladas pelos advogados de acusação ao jogador, que já entregaram como provas cópias de mensagens de texto por celular e redes sociais.

O caso é investigado como violência doméstica, ameaça, injúria e lesão corporal. A vítima conseguiu, no decorrer desta semana, a medida protetiva que impede que Pedrinho se aproxime fisicamente ou tente manter contato por qualquer meio que seja.

Procurada, a defesa de Pedrinho disse que não se pronunciaria pelo fato do inquérito correr em segredo de Justiça.

No único posicionamento que fez sobre o caso, por meio de suas redes sociais, Pedrinho apenas confirmou que ficaria afastado das atividades cotidianas do clube.

– Em respeito ao São Paulo Futebol Clube e aos milhões de torcedores e torcedoras, gostaria de informar que, na tarde desta sexta-feira, alinhado com a diretoria do clube, pedi o meu afastamento temporário das atividades. Tomei essa decisão para priorizar e colaborar, de forma exclusiva, com o trabalho das autoridades para esclarecer, o mais rápido possível, todas as acusações registradas ao meu respeito para que em breve possa retomar a minha carreira. Aproveito para agradecer à minha família e à minha empresária, Roberta, que estão me apoiando de maneira incondicional – destacou.

Tão logo o caso veio à tona, o São Paulo divulgou nota onde afirmava que acompanhará o caso “com máxima atenção” e “que tomaria as medidas cabíveis”.

– O São Paulo tomou conhecimento na noite desta quarta-feira (1º) do Boletim de Ocorrência contra o jogador Pedrinho, registrado por Amanda Nunes, sua ex-namorada. A entidade aguarda e acompanhará com máxima atenção a apuração da polícia e dos demais ´órgãos competentes. O Clube jamais compactuará ou aceitará qualquer tipo de agressão contra a mulher e, com o caso devidamente apurado, tomará todas as medidas cabíveis que se fizerem necessárias – diz o texto divulgado pelo Tricolor.

> Quartas de final do Paulistão definidas: confira confrontos, datas e horários

The American forward is having a brilliant start to the Championship season

• Wright scores two goals against QPR
• Coventry continue impressive start to season
• Unbeaten in opening three matches

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  U.S. international Haji Wright is sparking Coventry to an early-season excellence as the forward notched two goals in a 7-1 rout over QPR. 

  Both finishes came during counterattacks from, with Wright clinically scoring both on low crosses in the box. With the win, Frank Lampard's side is now third in the English Championship. It's a resounding start for a team that narrowly missed promotion in the Championship playoffs last season. 

  Wright is now on three goals on the season and has scored in back-to-back games. 

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  Haji Wright is one of several American forwards who are in strong form at the moment, and his excellent play is helping Coventry have another surprise attempt to reach the English top flight next season. 

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• DID YOU KNOW?

  Wright last season had 12 goals in an injury-hit campaign, where he made 29 league appearances. 

Manchester City are set to be without summer signing Rayan Cherki until November and Claudio Echeverri would offer ideal cover if he wasn't already on loan.

Man City cannot recall EcheverriClause only active in JanuaryCherki, Foden & Savinho injuredFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

After a strong start to his City career, Cherki is expected to miss around two months of action because of a thigh injury. writes that the club do have a loan recall in the agreement that sent Echeverri to Bayer Leverkusen last month, but cannot use it becase the break clause only applies during the January transfer window.

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Phil Foden is also thought to be carrying a less serious injury, with he, Cherki and Savinho all missing from the weekend defeat to Brighton. Savinho has not left the club this summer, despite links with Tottenham. City also had Jeremy Doku and Nico O'Reilly on the bench at the Amex Stadium, suggesting there is still sufficient depth. Oscar Bobb, Omar Marmoush, Bernardo Silva and Tijjani Reijnders were the attacking midfield/wide starters. Echeverri may have struggled to get regular game time even without Cherki adding competition.

DID YOU KNOW?

Echeverri has appeared in both Bayer Leverkusen games the club has played since his arrival, but only as a substitute. The hope would be that he becomes more involved as he settles into the new country and environment. It remains to be seen what impact the sudden and unexpected dismissal of Erik ten Hag might have on his prospects, for better or worse.

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Pep Guardiola has said that he expects Savinho to return after the international break. Foden's timeline is a little less clear but the England international isn't expected to be sidelined for very long either.

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O Santosvenceu o Flamengo-SP, de Guarulhos, por 3 a 1 em jogo-treino realizado no CT Rei Pelé. Desde a classificação na Copa do Brasil, contra o Iguatu-CE, o Peixe não era testado contra outra equipe. A atividade foi feita em quatro períodos de 25 minutos.

O exercício começou com os titulares em campo e o Santos saiu atrás do placar, com gol marcado por Emanuel.

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+Estudo aponta os elencos mais valiosos do mundo; veja as posições dos times brasileiros

O resultado desanimador do onze inicial do Peixe é agravado pelo nível de competitividade do adversário. O Flamengo-SP é um clube que disputa a Segunda Divisão do Campeonato Paulista (equivalente à quarta divisão do futebol estadual).

Na segunda metade da atividade, com os reservas em campo, o time Alvinegro não decepcionou e virou para cima do Flamengo de Guarulhos. Ivonei fez boa jogada individual pela esquerda, chutou cruzado e empatou o marcador. De pênalti, Rwan foi oportunista e virou para o Peixe. Depois disso, ainda deu tempo para Ivonei marcar seu segundo gol no jogo-treino e selar o placar final.

O Santos não divulgou a escalação titular na atividade. Contudo, durante a semana de treinos, Odair Hellmann utilizou o 4-3-1-2 com os seguintes jogadores: João Paulo; João Lucas, Messias, Eduardo Bauermann e Felipe Jonatan; Rodrigo Fernández, Camacho e Dodi; Lucas Lima; Lucas Barbosa e Marcos Leonardo.

Após o triunfo, o Peixe começa a arquitetar os próximos treinamentos e planeja acabar essa preparação com mais um jogo-treino no próximo final de semana. A atividade ainda não possui um adversário definido.

Alleged doubts about Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir from within Man Utd's squad have led to a belief that Tom Heatson finally deserves an opportunity.

• Man Utd players unsettled by goalkeepers
• Onana & Bayindir struggling for form
• Heaton reportedly doing well in training

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  A report from claims that some member of the first-team squad think Heaton has performed better in training than Onana and Bayindir, both of whom are ahead of the veteran in the goalkeeping pecking order. Those players now think Ruben Amorim ought to throw caution to the wind and hand the 39-year-old the opportunity to prove that in a game. Unease surrounding Onana and Bayindir was already developing.

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  Onana's pre-season injury saw Amorim go with Bayindir when the Premier League season began earlier this month, only for the Turkiye international to make a costly error that led to the only goal in a narrow defeat against Arsenal. He also came under fire after the win over Burnley, prompting another staunch defence from the head coach. But, even after returning to fitness, Onana wasn't recalled, except for the horror show that ensued against Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup. United are thought to be in the market for a new goalkeeper before the transfer deadline, in talks over a deal for Senne Lammens and lining up Emiliano Martinez as a back-up option.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  Occupying the role of a seldom used third choice goalkeeper since he returned to Old Trafford in 2021, Heaton hasn't made a competitive first-team appearance in two-and-a-half years and his most recent run as a regular starter came with Aston Villa in the first half of the 2019-20 campaign. But he is a popular member of the United squad and is thought to be well liked around the club.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  The Red Devils don't play again until after the September international break, so calls for Heaton to start ahead of Onana and Bayindir would only be relevant if neither Lammens nor Martinez, or indeed anyone else, is signed before the transfer window closes. But it would be a baptism of fire for whoever because the next game is a Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium on September 14.

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Após enfrentar uma lesão complicada no tornozelo, quando até mesmo uma cirurgia chegou a ser cogitada, Calleri finalmente deve estar de volta aos gramados – em um ‘tempo recorde’. A opção de tentar um tratamento convencional partiu do próprio camisa 9 – mesmo sabendo do histórico de casos assim no elenco do São Paulo-que mais tarde resultaram em necessidade cirúrgica, como foi com Luan.

+São Paulo x Ituano: onde assistir, desfalques e prováveis escalações do jogo pela Copa do Brasil

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O argentino não esteve presente contra o Tigre, na vitória por 2 a 0 pela estreia na Copa Sul-Americana, porque estava cumprindo suspensão. Entretanto, deve retornar nesta terça-feira (11), contra o Ituano, pela terceira fase da Copa do Brasil – e consequentemente, na estreia do Tricolor no campeonato.

ATUAÇÕES: Erison faz 2 gols pelo São Paulo e leva a melhor no duelo do “Touro” com o Tigre

Veja tabela da Copa do Brasil

Mas, diferentemente do que aconteceu nas últimas temporadas, o argentino pode ter um ‘conflito inédito’ por posição. Isso porque Erison, recém-contratado para ser seu reserva, tem se destacado nas partidas que entra em campo – rendendo até mesmo elogios por parte do treinador.

Contra o Tigre, o ‘Toro’ foi o responsável pelos dois gols da vitória. Se for analisar apenas em números, o rendimento já equivale ao de Calleri – que marcou a mesma quantidade de gols nesta temporada, mas em oito jogos disputados.

Contando o Paulista, Erison entrou em campo somente quatro vezes desde o seu anúncio. Ou seja, precisou da metade do número de partida de seu companheiro para marcar o mesmo número de gols.

Além disso, Calleri está voltando de uma lesão que pode, em até certo ponto, ter afetado seu ritmo. Mesmo com a recuperação em tempo recorde, terá uma sequência dura de jogos pela frente. Se em 2022 era certo que estaria presente em todos os desafios do Tricolor – que também enfrentou um calendário apertado como o deste ano -, agora isso já não é tanta certeza assim.

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Além do duelo contra o Ituano nesta terça-feira (11), ainda neste mês o São Paulo terá seus encontros com o Botafogo (pelo Brasileiro), Puerto Cabello (Copa Sul-Americana), América-MG um curto intervalo de dias entre um e outro. Ou seja, serão essenciais para entender qual será a estratégia de Rogério Ceni no ataque.

Lionel Messi and his former Barcelona compatriots aren't the feel-good side that many might have expected

At least Luis Suarez had the decency to spit this time. 

Before, an old version of Suarez would see a problem and, quite literally, sink his teeth into it. Over the years, he has developed quite a catalogue of chomping targets: Branislav Ivanovic, Giorgio Chiellini, and (maybe) Jordi Alba.

And after mastering that art, the Uruguayan showed off another gustatory skill, spitting at Seattle Sounders security director Gene Ramirez following Inter Miami's 3-0 defeat in the Leagues Cup final on Sunday night. It was a shocking moment, something that should not be condoned. It would, in fact, be really rather nice if players elected to be decent to each other on football pitches.

But, of course, soccer is an entertainment business. And America is still defining what, exactly, this sport means – especially at the professional club level.

MLS is always improving, and is packed with really good footballers who will go on to have excellent careers. But what this league really, truly needs, it seems, is a collection of villains – the kind of guys that the world can hate-watch, that we love to see lose. And in Inter Miami – complete with the quartet of Suarez, Alba, Sergio Busquets, and Lionel Messi – the league has that team.

Is this the character arc that MLS imagined when Barcelona's best immigrated to the U.S.? Perhaps not. But they are playing a vital role. If their villainous edge draws more eyes to MLS, the league may quietly see it as a positive.

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  A loss to Seattle (and the antics after)

  Seattle delivered an absolute masterclass against Miami. This was a wonderfully orchestrated performance from an excellent coach, carried by a well-balanced squad that was, quite simply, up for it. 

  Those who have watched MLS for a while will gleefully, repeatedly tell you that Miami are not the best team in the league. And they would probably be right. There's no balance here, no sense of stability. Messi is Messi, and he can Messi-fy Miami to wins. But they are also a remarkably thin team that offers little defensively, overseen by a coach who hasn't ever really shown his credentials to deliver on a big stage. This was a final, and they didn't really look like they had a game plan for it.

  The Sounders, meanwhile, are a well-drilled side that was set up to perfection. The first challenge, of course, was to stop Messi. And they did just that. Messi wasn't anonymous, but he looked rattled. There was always a body on him, the Sounders rotating fouls, nudges, and bumps. Can't stop him organically? Use a little of the dark arts.

  The results made for fine reading. Messi completed just one of six dribbles and didn't put a shot on target. Miami, as a whole, tested goalkeeper Andrew Thomas just once in 90 minutes of work. Brian Schmetzer's side, meanwhile, was both ruthless and opportunistic. Three-nil was an entirely fair scoreline.

  The madness after was just silly. Suarez was at the center of it all. He charged a Sounders player. Everyone got involved after that. Sergio Busquets threw a slap. Suarez stepped on a toe. Jordi Alba was up for a scrap. The Sounders were goaded into a skirmish. No one came out of this looking good.

  But Suarez was the villain in chief, spitting in Ramirez's face. That will be the lasting image from this game that really should be remembered as the day that the Sounders became the first club to win every available major trophy in American soccer.

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  Suarez, and a history of pettiness

  It is worth pointing out that no one should be particularly surprised. This has always been Suarez's thing. He is an immense talent, arguably the best forward of his generation. It is entirely accurate to argue that it's these moments of vitriol are the qualities in his game that make him one of the best. Suarez is the ultimate scrapper, very often to a dangerous extent.

  HHe probably shouldn't go around biting people, and he is by no means above exception for racial abuse in 2011.

  More generally, though, 90 minutes of Suarez is what footballing hell looks like. He will dive, push, nudge, and shove. He will try to bait you into free kicks, red cards, and moments of madness. And when he doesn't get them his way, he will complain to no end.

  Of course, this is dangerous in a sense. Suarez has made bravado and seemingly immoral behavior a brand. These things get laughed off, disregarded, or even embraced as part of his game. It is not good to be desensitized here. But we really shouldn't be surprised, either. 

  His former Barca teammates are by no means above it, either. Alba is an excellent all-round defender known for his cut-backs and defensive nous. He is also a scrapper who has no problem doing the dirty work. Busquets revolutionized the defensive midfield position. He is also probably the best tactical fouler the game has ever seen. Even Messi has a mean streak. 

  Of course, this is all brought about by their former employers. There is a sense of entitlement and prestige that comes with playing in Catalonia. Players routinely rush referees after getting calls against them. The club was caught in a still-ongoing scandal in which they may or may not have paid referees during the time all four were at the club.

  It is also true that these guys, with their body of work, simply expect calls to go their way. 

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  What rival fans say

  But it wasn't just on the pitch where tensions boiled over. After the game, Miami and Seattle fans were caught fighting on the street. It's quite the video. Someone throws a trash can. At another point, a traffic cone is hurled at someone's face. A Seattle fan is whacked with a tent pole. These scenes should not be condoned, of course, and they were certainly shaped by the actions on the field. But they aren't new, either.

  Rival MLS fans haven't liked Miami for some time. NYCFC supporters threw flares at the Miami bus before a game last season, and greeted the Herons with a gallery of middle fingers and abuse. Fan TIFOs have made it clear, in no uncertain terms, just how "plastic" the club is. 

  Miami doesn't help themselves in this respect, either. Fair or not, there is reason for rival fans to direct their disdain. It is not simply that Miami are a good side, laden with stars. More broadly, it's the fact that they spend more money than anyone else, and have found loopholes in the transfer market that other teams are either unable or unwilling to explore.

  Miami get the kind of support from the league – namely, a healthy contribution for Messi's salary – that no other team has ever come close to. It is not hard at all to see why a fan of any opposing club might harbor feelings of discontent towards the club.

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  Learning to hate watch

  Of course, MLS won't necessarily like this. They probably want their star player, and his famous teammates, to be likeable guys. It would be in everyone's interest if Miami were a bunch of wonderful lads, who won everything and did so the right way. In a perfect world, this would be scintillating football, immensely watchable, with plenty of smiles, and loads of interviews gleefully done after full-time.

  What we have instead is a shadowy sort of side that leans into controversy. Miami are fun, but for the wrong reasons. It's an immensely compelling sort of drama. And at times, that's what really drives sports. Organizations gain fans by having the best players and creating watchable, genuine content. But eyeballs often come from the sort of team that everyone loves to hate.

  The cool kids call it a "hate watch." But it stretches back years. Man United were compelling in the way that they bent rules, fouled, and were notorious for their extended stoppage time under Sir Alex Ferguson throughout the '90s. Real Madrid may have had Cristiano Ronaldo, but they were equally watchable for the elbows that Sergio Ramos would throw. Even in American sports, the Detroit Pistons of the 1990s are still revered for being, basically, the bad guys. 

  Sometimes you just need something to root against. And Miami are just that.