Sasa Lukic said facing James Maddison in Fulham’s win over Tottenham was like a “dress rehearsal” for Serbia’s European Championship opener against England this summer.
Lukic netted his first Fulham goal in a 3-0 victory which prevented Ange Postecoglou’s side from moving into the top four.
The Euro 2024 finals will be Serbia’s first as an independent nation and Lukic used Saturday’s victory to ready himself for their Group C clash against Gareth Southgate’s men in June.
When asked how excited he is to face England, Lukic said: “Yeah, I can’t wait.
“Already today was like a dress rehearsal because Maddison was there and it’s definitely going to be a good game against England at the Euros.
“I’m proud to be Serbian and play for my country. It is our first time in the Euros after a long time and I hope to do well.”
Lukic’s strike came in the 49th minute at Craven Cottage after his knee connected with Timothy Castagne’s cross.
The midfielder, who battled with injury earlier this season, talked about his relief at getting amongst the goals and starting in Fulham’s last four matches where they picked up three wins.
“I am so happy to score my first goal for Fulham,” Lukic added. “It was my knee, it was strange, but it’s important to score a goal. I hope to score many goals for Fulham.
“This was my fourth game in a row. Prior to that, I didn’t play much and it was hard, it wasn’t an easy time.
“I worked a lot on myself. But it proved that with a performance like tonight and the ones against Manchester United and Brighton, work has been paying off.”
Rodrigo Muniz scored a brace to extend his stunning run in front of goal to seven in his last seven.
Lukic is not surprised with the Brazilian forward’s form, highlighting his work ethic in training.
He said: “No, I’m not surprised at all, I see him everyday in training, I see how he works, I see how he behaves. He only has to keep it going.”
Friends For Real triumph in 2024 Pocket Rocket Foundation Six-A-Side Football Competition
Friends For Real emerged as champions of the 2024 Pocket Rocket Foundation Six-A-Side Football Competition, defeating Medley Mixers 1-0 in a thrilling final at the Red Stripe Field on Sunday. The victory was sealed by Emeil Atkinson, whose decisive goal crowned the Olympic Gardens-based team champions in their first appearance at the tournament.
The competition, organized by track and field legend Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s Pocket Rocket Foundation, saw spirited performances from all participants. Medley Mixers had secured their spot in the final with a commanding 3-0 win over Legacy, while Friends For Real edged out Legend 1-0 in a hard-fought semifinal clash.
In the final, both teams battled intensely, but Atkinson’s clinical strike proved to be the difference, handing Friends For Real the championship trophy and a cash prize of JMD$300,000. Captain Wyan Nelson expressed his team’s joy and gratitude following their triumphant debut.
“Words can’t describe how we feel as a team. It is our first time entering the competition, and to be unbeaten is a great feeling,” Nelson said. “Shelly-Ann is doing a great thing, and we look forward to entering next year again.”
Medley Mixers, who gave a valiant effort in the final, received JMD$200,000 for their second-place finish, while Legend claimed third place with a 2-1 victory over Legacy in the playoff. Pelleco Shaw and Devontay Ricketts scored for Legend, who were awarded JMD$100,000 for their efforts.
The tournament showcased not just the competitive spirit of the participating teams but also the community-building impact of the Pocket Rocket Foundation. The event continues to provide a platform for local talent and an opportunity for camaraderie among communities, all while supporting the charitable mission of Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce.
With this victory, Friends For Real have set a high bar for next year’s competition, promising more excitement in what has become a highly anticipated annual event.
Napoli 0-1 Lazio: Isaksen the hero as Partenopei miss chance to return to Serie A summit
Napoli missed the chance to return to the Serie A summit following a 1-0 defeat by Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
The Partenopei were beaten for the second time in the space of four days by the Biancoceleste, who also prevailed 3-1 in their Coppa Italia last-16 clash at Stadio Olimpico on Thursday.
Marco Baroni's side were victorious once again as Gustav Isaksen struck a wonderful winner 11 minutes from time, moving them level on points with third-place Inter.
Scott McTominay and Isaksen went closed during the first half, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia shot narrowly wide just before the break.
Both sides struck the woodwork after the restart; Fisayo Dele-Bashiru hitting the crossbar from distance, while Frank Anguissa's header was denied by the post.
However, the visitors snatched all three points in the 79th minute. Tijjani Noslin - Thursday's hat-trick hero - found Isaksen, who rounded off a swift counter by curling a wonderful 20-yard effort beyond Alex Meret.
Data Debrief: Three is the magic number for Lazio
For the first time in their history, Lazio have won three consecutive Serie A matches away at Napoli.
Their sixth victory by a single-goal margin this term - more than any other team in the division - they have also scored a league-high 12 goals in the 75th minute or later.
Isaksen was the matchwinner with his third goal of the season, already matching his tally for the entire 2023-24 campaign.
Bompastor lauds 'brave' Chelsea in record-equalling Brighton win
Sonia Bompastor said she was displeased at the mistakes her Chelsea side made during their 4-2 win over Brighton in the Women's Super League on Sunday.
In the Blues' penultimate league fixture this year, they signed off at Kingsmeadow with a victory in an enthralling encounter with the Seagulls.
A brace from Sjoeke Nusken with further goals from Beever-Jones and Johanna Rytting Kaneryd earned Chelsea all three points, with Jelena Cankovic and Kiko Seike on target for the visitors.
And Chelsea were worthy of their triumph, registering an expected goals (xG) total of 4.08 from their 31 shots compared to Brighton's 2.19 from their 18 efforts.
The Blues' win also saw them equal Arsenal's record from the 2018-19 campaign of winning each of their first nine WSL games of the season.
While only in the infancy of her tenure, Bompastor also broke a record set by the legendary Emma Hayes on Sunday.
The Frenchwoman has won 13 games in a row in all competitions, exceeding Hayes’ club record of 12 consecutive wins set during the 2021-22 season.
But, it was a hard-fought victory against a Brighton side who play a similar possession-based style. As a result, both sides gifted their opposition opportunities.
This was not overly concerning for Bompastor, however, saying she was encouraged by her side's resilience to stick to their game model.
"The two teams made some big mistakes today, especially in the build-up and trying to build from the backline and the keeper," Bompastor said.
"That's something that's going to happen when you have two coaches who have a philosophy that they want to build up.
"I prefer my team and my players to be confident enough and brave enough to try again, even if sometimes you can be in that position when you lose some balls.
"Sometimes it's about making a better decision, executing more quickly, scanning better, controlling - so, a lot of small details that are really important at the high level.
"The best teams are the ones who make the least mistakes. You will always have mistakes in the game, and I want my players to be brave enough to try again."
But hot on Chelsea's heels are Manchester City, who also emerged 4-0 victors on Sunday, beating Leicester City thanks to an inspired display from Khadija Shaw.
Shaw netted the Citizens' first two goals of the game in the first half, with Jessica Park and Mary Fowler on target after the break for the hosts.
Shaw raised her overall tally at the top of the club’s all-time goalscoring chart to 88 after 98 matches in all competitions and represented her 13th strike in 14 appearances this term.
And Taylor highlighted Shaw's importance on and off the ball for his side during their win over the Foxes, labelling her a "complete" striker.
"I’d like to say I’ve helped her in that space, but I think that’s all down to Bunny," Taylor said.
"She arrives in the right moment. They were quite different in the sense that the first one she puts back where it comes almost and makes it difficult for the keeper and I think she controlled it well from Kerstin’s cross.
"The one from Leila is a little more where she gets across her defender and attacks it with power. For me, she’s a very complete striker, Bunny.
"I’ve mentioned more recently about what she gives us without her goals. Her goals are the cherry on the cake with so many opportunities to score.
"She backs that up with the numbers. The work she does without the ball is great, and it allows us to dominate."
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