The Devils announce Patrice Lair as their new coach.
The Devils announce Patrice Lair as their new coach.
Karla Torrijos
La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, May 24, 2025, p. a10
With the intention of turning Toluca into one of the leading teams in the Liga MX Femenil, the board announced yesterday the hiring of Frenchman Patrice Lair, winner of two Women's Champions League titles, as the new coach for the upcoming 2025 Apertura tournament.
The 63-year-old former player and coach will replace César Arzate, who had been appointed interim coach following the departure of Brazilian Ricardo Belli midway through the 2025 Clausura.
By hiring one of the world's best coaches, both Toluca and Liga MX will position themselves at the forefront of international women's soccer, given that Liar has a long history in Europe, where she stood out with Olympique Lyonnais, which she managed from 2010 to 2014 and with which she won four league titles, three French Cups, and two Women's Champions Leagues.
He also led Montpellier, which he led to the European Cup semi-finals in 2006, and Paris Saint-Germain. In 2024, he led the men's team at Châteauroux in the French Third Division, as well as the women's team at Girondis de Bordeaux. He was also named FIFA's best coach in 2011 and 2012.
Amazonas go for the Concachampions W
In another example of the growth of national women's soccer, this Saturday, Tigres will try to make a statement on an international scale in their first Concachampions W final, where they will face Gotham, from New York, at the Universitario stadium.
Cristina Ferral, captain of the Amazonas, emphasized the importance of this match, in which her team will seek a spot in the next Club World Cup.
For us, the upcoming match is the most important. What we've achieved is recognized. We're pursuing that path, and if we win, it will begin a history on an international scale. It would reflect many years of work. It's transcendental, and we're motivated to move forward
," she said yesterday at a press conference.
For her part, Mariana Gutiérrez, president of the Liga MX Femenil, said this match demonstrates the work that has been done to benefit women's soccer in Mexico.
▲ The plan was to stay calm and defend the jersey
, said the Baja Californian cyclist, who is wearing the pink jersey for the fifth consecutive day, after the race. Photo AFP
From the editorial staff, AP and AFP
La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, May 24, 2025, p. a11
Isaac del Toro (UAE Emirates) continues his feat. The Mexican finished third on stage 13 of the Giro d'Italia—his fourth podium finish in the competition—and maintains his overall lead, while also increasing his advantage over his teammate and runner-up, Spaniard Juan Ayuso.
The finish was spectacular. The Baja California native's momentum stood out against highly experienced opponents, allowing him to finish in the top three after a 180-kilometer route through Veneto on stage 13, where Dane Mads Pedersen (Lidl Trek) won.
The plan was to stay calm, shadow key opponents, and defend the jersey, and we did that perfectly. Maybe on paper I'm not the favorite, but I have to be strong and listen to the guys on the team
, the Mexican said with a calm expression while wearing the pink jersey for the fifth consecutive matchday.
With this new podium finish, and thanks to bonuses, Del Toro slightly extended his lead in the overall standings over his UAE teammate Juan Ayuso, who was second in the competition. The tricolor started the day with a 33-second lead and finished it with a 38-second advantage.
Thus, with one day of competition remaining, Del Toro stands out as one of the revelations of international cycling. The UAE team considered the tricolor a domestique, while Ayuso would be the starter. Now, the spotlight is on the Baja California native, who also remains at the forefront of the race for the white jersey of best young rider.
The Mexican was only surpassed now by Pedersen (Lidl Trek), who took first place in this stage after a sprint , relegating Belgian Wout van Aert (Team Visma-Lease a Bike) to second place.
The timing of my effort was dictated by instinct. I had to open up on the right side, near the hurdles, so I started a little earlier than I wanted
, Pedersen noted.
It was Pedersen's fourth victory in this edition of the Giro d'Italia after a display of power on the climb to the sanctuary of Monte Berico.
However, Del Toro's strong performance allowed him to earn a two-second bonus for the second day in a row during an intermediate sprint 10 kilometers from the finish, while Ayuso added four.
“I lacked the legs needed for the sprint today. Pedersen and Van Aert arrived very quickly, and I tried to keep up with them, but my limbs didn't give me enough,” said Del Toro, although he remains in good spirits for the lead.
Even for Stage 14, few changes are expected in the general classification, as it will be a mostly flat route, 195 kilometers from Treviso, crossing the border into Slovenia, and finishing in Nova Gorica. Another stage for Del Toro to maintain his brilliance.
Novak Djokovic, one victory away from his 100th title
▲ The Serbian tennis player (pictured), winner of 24 Grand Slams, will play the final of the Geneva tournament against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, seeking to enhance his legacy. AP Photo
Ap
La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, May 24, 2025, p. a11
Geneva. Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic is one victory away from his 100th singles title, after defeating Britain's Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-1 in the semifinals of the Geneva Open yesterday.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion had a tough match, losing a match point in the second set, but regained his strength and confidence to advance to the final round where he will face Poland's Hubert Hurkacz.
Meanwhile, Hurkacz, ranked 31st in the ATP rankings , defeated Austrian Sebastian Ofner 6-3, 6-4 in the other semifinal.
Djokovic has already achieved his main goal by participating in the Geneva tournament: getting some experience in clay-court matches before heading to Roland Garros for the French Open, which begins on Sunday.
Djokovic's level of glory returned at least in this tournament, as he strung together three consecutive victories in three days, including Thursday's victory when Nole celebrated his 38th birthday with a triumph over Italian Matteo Arnaldi.
It was a scenario that put the bitter defeats in their debuts at both clay court tournaments in Monte Carlo and Madrid, which took place last month, to one side.
Although that goal seemed to slip away in the match, Djokovic trailed 5-2 in the second set, then won three consecutive games and held a match point in the tiebreak. But he missed a return serve and Norrie forced a deciding set.
An early break of serve came in the third set and was backed by a dominant serve as Djokovic closed out the semifinal on a court that was bathed in sunshine, unusually this week.
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