Flick warns Barca stars to keep focus after perfect start

Barcelona: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick warned his players Saturday that any drop in focus could bring them crashing back down to earth after a spectacular start to the season. somethingsdifferent.biz

The Spanish champions have won all five matches they have played across all competitions, scoring 22 goals and conceding just three, ahead of Sunday's visit to face Levante in La Liga.

"We know in football things can change very fast. I like that we are enjoying the situation (right now)," Flick told reporters.

"If we change something from this attitude we'll go in the wrong direction and this is what we don't want."

Barcelona's attacking stars, including Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, have shone in recent weeks, netting five goals against Feyenoord in the Champions League, as well as against Rayo Vallecano, Valencia and Elche in the Spanish top flight.

"We're very happy we are playing on this level but we know that we have to show it in every game," Flick continued.

"We know we have huge quality but... we (also) have things we're doing that are important for us, when we keep the intensity high, we are focused and we are active."

Barcelona's main goal this season is to win the Champions League, which they last managed in 2015, but Flick said president Joan Laporta was also keen on claiming a third straight La Liga title.

"I spoke with the fans, with the people in Barcelona, this year we have to win the Champions League and of course this is a dream for us, this is our objective to win this," added Flick.

"The president also said that La Liga is also important, and to win La Liga three times in a row, it would be amazing."

Paris, France: France will not support the candidacy of Gianni Infantino, who is running for a new term as FIFA president in March 2027, the French Football Federation (FFF) announced on Thursday.

The FFF is aligning itself with the position of other European federations such as Belgium, Italy, Scotland, Sweden and Wales, who have also publicly withdrawn support for Infantino.

FIFA confirmed last weekend that Infantino will stand in the FIFA presidential election next March, despite the backlash over his now-abandoned plan to bring private investment into the men's and women's World Cups.

At this stage, the 56-year-old Swiss is the only candidate.

"We believe that the trust placed in the FIFA president has been betrayed, and that the way in which the governance of world football is envisaged no longer reflects us," FFF president Philippe Diallo said in a statement.

"That is why, by a unanimous decision of its members, the French Football Federation has decided to withdraw its support for Gianni Infantino's candidacy for the FIFA presidency."

Birmingham, United Kingdom: England overcame a major wobble to beat Pakistan by eight wickets in the third Test at Edgbaston on Saturday, sealing a 3-0 series sweep.

The home team, chasing just 130 to win, were in deep trouble when openers Ben Duckett and Emilio Gay were dismissed in the first over, bowled by Mohammad Abbas.

Joe Root, England's record runscorer, edged his first ball, bowled by Razaullah, through the slips for four in a nervy start but settled and scored quickly to take the sting out of the situation.

The skipper was given a huge reprieve when he chopped onto the stumps off Mohammad Ali, only for the umpire to signal a no ball, leaving the bowler distraught.

Root, with Jordan Cox at the other end, had another let-off when he edged an Abbas delivery between first and second slip, with neither fielder moving.

But he reached his half-century off 57 balls with a cut for four and Cox matched him shortly afterwards.

England reached their target in the 25th over, with Root unbeaten on 62 and Cox 59 not out.

Root's men had appeared set for a quickfire win inside three days on Friday before debutant fast bowler Razaullah launched an audacious assault with the bat, clubbing nine sixes as he raced to 81 off 63 balls.

The 21-year-old number nine, who also took four wickets in England's first innings, put on 121 for the ninth wicket with fellow paceman Abbas (42) as England floundered.

Razaullah's heroics have changed the mood music but they came too little, too late for Pakistan, who have endured a miserable series, losing the first Test by an innings and 103 runs and the second by 194 runs.

The tourists sent seven players home after their crushing defeat in the second Test at Lord's and brought in seven replacements, with Razaullah among them.

They also sacked head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and assistant Umar Gul as their tour plunged into chaos.

Pakistan made four changes to their side for the third Test and they put up a fight despite being dismissed for a paltry 133 in their first innings.

The 3-0 whitewash is a huge tonic for England, who were in turmoil just weeks ago following a series loss to New Zealand and the exits of head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes.

But tougher challenges lie ahead, starting with a Test series in South Africa in December and January, while a home Ashes looms next year.