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YUSSUF POULSEN SET FOR HAMBURG COMEBACK, COACH CONFIRMS MINUTES VS LEIPZIG

Hamburg captain Yussuf Poulsen is set to return from injury against his former club, RB Leipzig. Coach Merlin Polzin confirmed the striker is available and "ready to play" after a long layoff.

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File Photo: Yussuf Poulsen

This weekend, if all goes as planned, Hamburg skipper Yussuf Poulsen ought to be ready for his first Bundesliga action since late August. It turns out that the Hamburger SV captain is healthy enough to play against RB Leipzig, his former team. This information was verified by HSV head coach Merlin Polzin during a press conference held prior to the game on Friday. Poulsen ought to take the pitch at Red Bull Arena one more time. 

Through six matchdays this season, Poulsen, who was acquired from his longtime club during the offseason, has only played 50 league minutes. Due to his injury issues, the 31-year-old has not played since the second matchday. In the final match before the international break, Poulsen was included in Polzin's matchday squad against Mainz, although he did not play off the bench.

After receiving some criticism for his choice to make Poulsen captain, Polzin has often been forced to defend his choice. Polzin's guarded stance gave way to excitement on Friday. When talking about the possibility of the seasoned attacker gaining significant playing time at his former haunt, the 34-year-old seemed enthusiastic. 

"We have been conducting a study of RB and spoken with him," Polzin stated on Friday. "The main topic of discussion with 'Yussi' has been his perspective on the basics in Leipzig. He wants to talk to the lads and support them. We recently upped [Poulsen's] training burden, and he should be ready for 90 minutes before the season's first half ends.

"He is ready to play and available," Polzin added. "We want to maximise his abilities both on and off the pitch. Having someone under your leadership who is agitated and willing to support his team is beneficial.

During a midweek club media appearance, Poulsen stated, "It is obvious that I will not be playing 90 minutes versus Leipzig, but I am feeling really good and ready."

GUARDIOLA TIPS HAT TO DYCHE: ‘HE’S AMONG THE VERY BEST’

Pep Guardiola hails new Forest boss Sean Dyche as "the best" at set-pieces, noting the trend isn't new. He also revealed that Man City has struggled with dead-ball situations this season compared to rivals like Arsenal.

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Pep Guardiola shaking hands with Sean Dyche - COURTESY/PHOTO

According to Pep Guardiola, Nottingham Forest has one of the best representatives of the new fascination in football at their disposal.

Although Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, and their ability to score goals from set pieces are admired by the football community, Guardiola has reminded everyone that the idea is not particularly new.

As demonstrated during his tenure as Burnley's manager from 2012 to 2012, he did, in fact, hail incoming Forest manager Sean Dyche as "one of the greatest."

The 54-year-old guided the Clarets into the Premier League and kept them there for six seasons before exiting Turf Moor.

Forest, who have only won one league game so far and are now in third place, can now access that knowledge.

Man City boss Guardiola said, “It’s true that people utilise every throw-in like a corner and put 10 players there in the box.

"Every move (Michael) Kayode made in the box caused us to suffer when we played at Brentford or watched Brentford play Liverpool in our hotel. Additionally, Kayode was the match's man.

“Today, set pieces are a menace. I recall being in Burnley a long time ago with Sean Dyche. Burnley posed a serious threat in the second and long balls.

"Dyche is by far the finest at these kinds of things. He has already done it; therefore, it is not fresh.

Or Sam Allardyce. Or I recall Stoke City when I was not here. Do you recall the throws made by Stoke City?

Maybe Stoke was the anomaly back then, but more and more teams are doing that now.

"I recall that Arsene Wenger mentioned playing at Stoke City while I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but these days it happens frequently.

It may have happened (only) at Burnley or not at all when I got there, but it is a fact now. You must also pay attention. I still want to play, though.

This season, Arsenal has already scored nine league goals from set pieces, five from open play, and two from penalties.

With eight (plus eight from open play and one penalty), Chelsea is not far behind.

On the other end of the scale, though, are Forest and Man City. While City has scored 12 goals from open play, three more on the counterattack, and two own goals, they have yet to score from a set piece. The Reds have scored two of their five goals from restarts.

"Every manager does what they think," Guardiola stated. I am not ignorant of the fact that I want to score from corners and free kicks. I desire it. However, I dedicate my time to what we need to do to improve our play, attack, and generate opportunities. to score goals.

I pay attention, of course, but I am aware that I am not the manager to try to; I have done that my entire career. When things became rough at Burnley, I recall that we gave up maybe one corner, if any, as the second balls were under our control. That is the most effective method of defending these games.

However, you need to be strong in many areas for that, and we are working on it. I will keep working mostly on our game till the very end. And occasionally, as necessary, adjust.

At Brentford, we performed quite well. James, the French set-piece coach, did a fantastic job of enticing our guys into defending these kinds of acts. The same was true at Arsenal: it was amazing. We did not control the game against Arsenal; therefore, we gave up a lot of corners.

NAPOLI TAKE THREE-POINT LEAD AFTER CLOSE WIN AGAINST LECCE

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's header secured a 1-0 win for Napoli over Lecce, moving them top of Serie A. The victory was sealed after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved a Francesco Camarda penalty.

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Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa celebrates scoring - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa scored another goal to give Napoli a narrow victory over Lecce, although Vanja Milinkovic-Savic also saved a penalty kick from Francesco Camarda.

The thrilling 3-1 victory against Inter put the Partenopei back atop the league, but it came at a price: Kevin De Bruyne will miss several months of action due to a significant thigh strain. Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani returned to the bench, but Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret, and Romelu Lukaku remained on the treatment table. Leonardo Spinazzola and Scott McTominay were rested, and the 4-3-3 formation was reinstated. Following the 3-2 loss to Udinese, Lecce was without Gaby Jean, Filip Marchwinski, Matias Perez, and Riccardo Sottil.

Billy Gilmour's attempt was deflected wide as Napoli wore their special edition Halloween uniform, but Lorenzo Lucca unintentionally charged down a Matteo Politano strike that was on target.

On the Matias Olivera pull-back, Politano turned over from six yards out, while Medon Berisha also threatened by drilling wide from the area's edge.

Olivera had been put clear by a clever Gilmour first-touch lay-off, but Wladimiro Falcone made a fantastic stop with his legs at the near post.

On the cusp of halftime, Francesco Camarda's chest and half-volley was inches wide, yet it would not have been considered handball.

Moments after the restart, Noa Lang added to the growing list of Napoli players out after hobbling off with a hit to the thigh just above the left knee.

Lucca sprinted onto a long ball that Falcone hurried out to nod clear, and Politano's follow-up was charged down with the goalie off his line, creating a double chance to open the score.

After a VAR review, the Lecce penalty was given because Kialonda Gaspar's header on a corner seemed to hit Juan Jesus' hand, which bent back on impact. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has saved five of the past nine Serie A penalties faced, demonstrated his expertise by parrying the spot-kick when Camarda stepped up.

Hojlund made his comeback from injury, with McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola reinforcing the team off the bench for the final half-hour.

It paid off, as a free kick from David Neres was glanced into the far top corner off the head of Anguissa from six yards out, giving Napoli the lead.

Nikola Stulic was too slow to capitalise on a Danilo Veiga pull-back, Elmas shot wide, and Hojlund missed the Neres assist in stoppages.

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