Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp reportedly wants Manchester City midfielder Rodri if he’s to take over at Real Madrid next season. The German hasn’t been in a management role since leaving Livepool in the summer of 2024.
Los Blancos are currently being overseen by former defender Alvaro Arbeloa, but results under the Spaniard have been patchy despite the club beating Benfica in the knockout play-offs to reach the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
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The Merengues are coming off a disappointing 1-0 La Liga home defeat at Getafe at the weekend, keeping them four points behind leaders Barcelona with 12 games left.
As speculation about Arbeloa’s long-term future mounts, as per Football 365, Red Bull’s Head of Global Soccer, Klopp, has emerged as a strong contender to succeed Arbeloa. As per reports in the Spanish media, the German has asked for four departures and as many new signings, including Rodri, which is said to be a ‘non-negotiable’ one.
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Fran Garcia, Dani Ceballos, Franco Mastantuono and David Alaba are reported to be the four players to face the axe. In terms of incomings, apart from Rodri, Klopp would also like to have Dortmund centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Vitinha and Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, a Liverpool target.
Rodri, who came up through the ranks at Real’s arch-rivals Atletico, is said to be unwilling to extend his stay at the Etihad beyond the expiry of his current deal in 2027.
However, as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, Klopp is “fully committed” to his current role at Red Bull and that there have been no “direct negotiations” from the Madrid board to bring the German on board.
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What’s next for Real Madrid?
Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa – Source: Getty
Following their 2-1 UEFA Champions League knockout play-off second-leg home win in midweek over Benfica to complete a 3-1 aggregate win, Real Madrid failed to continue their winning momentum, losing to Getafe at home.
Los Blancos will look to return to winning ways when they visit Celta Vigo in the league on Friday (March 6) as they look to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Following that game, Alvaro Arbeloa’s side host Manchester City in a blockbuster Champions League Round of 16 first leg on Wednesday (March 11) before the return at the Etihad six days later. Los Blancos lost 2-1 at home to the Cityzens in the league phase of the competition in December.
The Super Eagles of Nigeria are gearing up for a four-nation tournament during the March international break, and they, alongside EFL Championship side Hull City, have received a major lift in preparations with the return of defender Semi Ajayi.
Ajayi featured prominently for Nigeria at the 2025 AFCON in Morocco, playing six matches before sustaining a hamstring injury in the third-place game against Egypt. The 32-year-old has been sidelined since January 17, but he is now set to rejoin Hull City and potentially the Super Eagles squad this week.
Hull City, currently fifth in the EFL Championship and three points shy of second-placed Middlesbrough, are chasing a first top-flight promotion in nine years. They face fourth-placed Ipswich Town tomorrow, and Ajayi’s return comes at a crucial stage. Hull’s assistant coach described his comeback as a significant boost for the team.
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“We’re fine, we’ve got a couple of bumps and niggles from the weekend,” Dean Holden said. “Everyone’s come through unscathed, and we’ll welcome Semi back into the squad, which is a big boost for us. He’s been out for a decent amount of time since that AFCON game. He hasn’t had a lot of training, but trained again this morning, looks fine, and he’ll come back in, so that’s a huge positive for us.”
Meanwhile, the Super Eagles, under Eric Chelle, are set to face Iran, Jordan, and Costa Rica in the upcoming tournament. Concerns over recent missile strikes in Iran have raised questions about the competition going ahead, but Ajayi’s return would provide much-needed experience for younger players should he be included in the squad.
For Hull City, having a player of Ajayi’s Premier League experience is crucial to guide a relatively young squad through the remaining 12 games of the Championship season. His last appearance for the Tigers came in early December, meaning tomorrow’s clash against Ipswich will mark the end of a three-month absence.
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Ajayi’s comeback is a timely boost for both club and country, offering leadership, stability, and experience at a key point in the season.
Inclement weather might spice up proceedings in the Verry Elleegant Stakes, however trainer Chris Waller intends to disregard forecasts until race day.
The Bureau of Meteorology predicts a spectrum of rain amounts this week, from just 4mm to nearly 60mm.
Star mare and dominant favourite Autumn Glow has proven versatile on different surfaces, including heavy 10 going in August’s Toy Show Quality (1100m), but her effectiveness there in a Group 1 is yet to be tested.
Waller is keeping track conditions out of his mind presently.
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“I’ll worry about it Saturday morning,” Waller said.
“If you worry about it before then, you start bringing things in that you have no control over and you can lose sight of other things. Yes, it’s a factor. But as long as it’s safe, she will be running.
“They’ve got the tracks in Sydney pretty good at the moment . . . There will be room for a bit of rain.”
Unbeaten in nine races, Autumn Glow has emerged as a major force, convincingly beating fellow stable runners Aeliana and Lindermann in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) on her latest outing after moving to weight-for-age.
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Those two will line up against her once more in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) over Randwick’s track on Saturday, potentially improving with the step up in trip.
“They’re a bit more comfortable at the distance,” Waller said.
“But it’s hard to quantify, Autumn Glow might be better too.”
Waller boasts a strong record with seven wins from the last 10 runnings, four achieved by Winx from 2016-2019, and public confidence is high in Autumn Glow continuing the streak at $1.30 in early betting.
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Discover premier betting sites with the keenest racing odds for the Verry Elleegant Stakes.
Paul Scholes has suggested there is a perfect manager for Manchester United, while questioning whether interim boss Michael Carrick has the experience to lead the club in the long term
Paul Scholes has proposed that Manchester United consider appointing Carlo Ancelotti as their next manager this summer. Although a permanent appointment is anticipated at the season’s end, interim head coach Michael Carrick has made a strong impression since succeeding Ruben Amorim in January and could be considered for the role on a long-term basis.
Former Reds midfielder Carrick now boasts the joint-best record of any Premier League manager over their initial seven matches, with six victories and one draw. United’s 2-1 comeback against Crystal Palace solidified their position in the top five, propelling them past Aston Villa into third place.
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Nonetheless, Scholes is of the opinion that Ancelotti is the perfect fit for the club. Speaking on The Good, The Bad and The Football Podcast, he stated: “The perfect one out there – I say perfect – Ancelotti is still out there. I know he is coach of Brazil.
“He is the perfect one for Manchester United where you think he will make players feel a million dollars. And he has the experience of winning stuff.
“But the question is, is he too old now? That’s the only thing. Is there anyone else of that ilk, with more experience? They need presence as a leader.”
Ancelotti managed Real Madrid for four years before leaving the club last year, and whilst he will guide Brazil in this summer’s World Cup, he has been absent from domestic football since his departure.
Scholes, meanwhile, outlined why he thinks Carrick may lack the necessary experience to guide the Reds forward.
“The question is, has Michael got the experience?” Scholes continued. “I know it’s a big question, I know he has managed in the Championship, but this is different.
“Can we see Michael winning the Premier League? I don’t know yet, and I think the biggest thing is, what type of manager will they look for? A tactician or a man manager who looks after people? Ole Gunnar [Solskjaer] was that.”
“But all the people who are man managers, they always have a brilliant coach next to them, which Michael has got [Steve Holland].
“The club have to decide, do they want a master tactician, which has failed. Ole Gunnar had the man management skills, but did he have the experience to go on and win a trophy? The same questions will be asked of Michael.”
United have ten fixtures remaining this season to secure their top-four position as they strive to return to European football.
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Their most recent Champions League campaign was in the 2023/24 season, when they finished bottom of their group and were eliminated early. The subsequent season saw them reach the Europa League final, where they lost 1-0 to Tottenham in Bilbao.
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The final edition of the Bulldogs-Gaels-led WCC Tournament could end up being predictable—as usual—though there could be some surprises in store as well.
The top three in the league have separated themselves, but other teams are hoping to write their legacies this March.
For now, Santa Clara is the storyline.
If I had to pick one surprise team, it would be Oregon State. The other mid-tier teams have cooled off considerably.
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Whatever happens, I’m here for it.
Here are the top three things to watch at this year’s WCC Tournament.
1. Can Santa Clara make it into the Big Dance?
Santa Clara has had a phenomenal year under Herb Sendek. As of Monday morning, the Broncos are projected as one of the “last four teams in” the NCAA Tournament.
SCU features a dangerous offense that can beat any team on a given night. They rank 30th in the nation, averaging 83.8 points per game.
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Their resume should prove strong enough to get them an at-large bid, unless they stumble in the WCC Tournament.
The Broncos are around the Top 40 mark for predictive metrics and resume, which indicates that they should be in the field.
Santa Clara’s top three scorers are Christian Hammond, Elijah Mahi, and Allen Graves. Hammond is their leading scorer, averaging 15.9 points per game.
Broncos guard Brenton Knapper | Santa Clara Athletics
Bukky Oboye is their best defensive player with 20 blocks and 16 steals this year.
SCU will likely open the WCC Tourney against Pacific or Seattle U, but Loyola Marymount and San Diego are still in the mix.
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If the Broncos lose their first game of the tournament, they’ll probably be eliminated from the dance.
They should be alright, due to their varied scoring options, but this is that month.
If Santa Clara wants to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament, it would likely need to win at least two games.
With a win in the third round, they would face SMC in the semis on Monday, which would prove a huge opportunity for a QUAD 1 win.
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With Gonzaga departing for the Pac-12, the Broncos have an opportunity to make a statement to the conference going forward.
2. Do Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s Still Run the WCC?
As cool as it would be to see Santa Clara make a run to the title, this has been a two-dawg league, and will probably remain so until the end.
With Saint Mary’s victory over Gonzaga last week, they earned a share of the WCC Regular Season title for the fourth year in a row.
And even though this minimally affected the Zags’ seeding or tournament line, they’ll remember the loss.
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They were also without Jalen Warley, who is one of the more underrated players nationally.
Warley doesn’t have flashy numbers. He’s only averaging 7.1 points per game and 4.6 rebounds per game. But he’s a defensive terror leading the team with 1.6 steals per contest.
Bulldogs forward Graham Ike | Tyler Tjomsland/The Spokesman-Review
He and Tyon Grant-Foster can shut down most perimeter players in the country.
Warley does all the little things that get overlooked, but they were felt in Moraga. Without him, the Gaels ate the Zags in the second half.
And this is with Paulius Murauskas playing poorly.
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Murauskas is one of the best players in the WCC, but if he performs the way he did against the Bulldogs, they will get annihilated by Gonzaga in a rematch.
He looked so bad against the Zags that I thought I could play basketball again.
But he has a chance to get it right.
3. Can Oregon State Play the Spoiler? (No One Else Can)
Oregon State’s the only team that could make a run, based on my logic. The Beavers aren’t really that good, but they’re in a unique spot.
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Pacific would’ve been my choice two weeks ago, but they’ve lost their last four games, so that’s that.
At the No. 5 seed, San Francisco has gotten blown out in four of their last six contests.
And the Dons almost stole one from Gonzaga earlier in the year, so they’re not surprising anyone.
Seattle U’s coming in a bit hot, so they could prove another team to watch. But their three-game winning streak has come against the worst teams in the conference.
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And the Cougs? They don’t know how to play basketball anymore.
Wayne Tinkle | Naji Saker/The Bald Faced Truth
The reason the Beavers can make a run is that Wayne Tinkle, who OSU will not retain for next season, can have some fun.
He can run any scheme, he can play anyone, and they’re the No. 4 seed, so they’d only have to pull two upsets.
Tinkle could’ve walked away, but he chose to stick by his team like a man.
And what if they win the tournament? Would Oregon State suddenly rehire him?
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The Beavs will probably be outclassed by Gonzaga, but, hey—it’s March.
It’s time to get it.
Writes about football and basketball as a Senior Writer and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Show” for SuperWest Sports.
Team Canada has its captain for the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Seattle Mariners slugger Josh Naylor will wear the ‘C’ for the Canadians, the team announced Monday.
Naylor, of Mississauga, Ont., starred for Seattle in 2025 after a mid-season trade from the Arizona Diamondbacks and received the Tip O’Neill Award as Canada’s top baseball player.
He crushed nine home runs and stole 19 bases in just 54 regular-season games with the club before leading it to the ALCS, where it fell to the Toronto Blue Jays in seven games.
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For the regular season, Naylor led all Canadian major leaguers in batting average (.295), RBIs (92) and stolen bases (30). He finished second in hits (160), runs (81), home runs (20), doubles (29) and walks (48).
Naylor re-signed with Seattle on a $92.5 million, five-year contract after the season.
This will be Naylor’s second time representing Canada at the World Baseball Classic. He appeared in two games at the 2017 tournament, then was unable to play in 2023 due to an ankle injury.
Canada plays its first game of the tournament on Saturday against Colombia in Puerto Rico.
With a beefy $21.3 million cap number in 2026, Minnesota Vikings playmaker T.J. Hockenson is on tap to be the NFL’s most expensive tight end. Now, according to recent reporting, Hockenson might accept a pay reduction to remain with the club,
If no deal emerges, Minnesota can pivot to a restructure, trade, or release to clear cap space.
NFL free agency kicks off in one week, and if Hockenson doesn’t rework his deal, well, the Vikings would need a new TE1.
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A Hockenson Pay Cut May Make Sense For Both Sides
It’s roster change season in the NFL.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) loosens up before kickoff against the Indianapolis Colts at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Nov. 3, 2024. Hockenson moved through pregame drills as fans filled the lower bowl, preparing for regular-season action in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
Report: Hockenson Willing to Take Less Money
The Athletic‘s Alec Lewis weighed in on Minnesota’s free-agency lay of the land on Monday, mentioning Hockenson’s would-be salary reduction.
“The Vikings are prepared to make difficult decisions to alleviate their salary-cap concerns. Don’t expect a big-name free-agent splurge like last year. The Vikings are $40-plus million over the cap, and while that isn’t dire, it is significant. Pay cuts: Minnesota wants to lower the cap number for tight end T.J. Hockenson. He is amenable to lowering it, but the outcome is largely a matter of how low the Vikings want to go,” he wrote.
Until the observation, many believed Hockenson would be traded, released, or asked to restructure the deal — the latter of which would not involve a pay decrease. But a paycut is apparently in play.
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The Adam Thielen Situation in 2023
The Hockenson situation in 2026 is reminiscent of Adam Thielen in 2023. The Vikings had handed Thielen a generous contract extension in 2019 — that he deserved — but by the 2023 offseason, his cap hit proved to be too ginormous for Minnesota’s budget. The team approached Thielen about a paycut, he declined, and later signed with the Carolina Panthers, where he stuck around for two seasons before landing back with the Vikings in the summer of 2025 via trade.
Three offseasons later, Hockenson carries a similar outlook. If he doesn’t oblige the paycut, the Vikings can either restructure his deal (backload the big cap hit to the future with void years), explore a trade, or cut him loose — like Thielen in 2023.
It all depends on how low Hockenson will go to remain Minnesota’s TE1.
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Our Kyle Joudry noted last week, “Rather, look toward a restructure for T.J. Hockenson. Pursuing the maximum savings would mean surpassing $9.4 million in added room for 2026. The cost of doing business is less cap space in the future, but that’s a problem for a different day. If Hockenson can be very good in 2026, then finding a way to make the cap charges work is the way forward.”
“If, in theory, a competent passer gets added (or, better yet, McCarthy turns into one), then the Vikings may be able to unleash a talent like T.J. Hockenson. Indeed, that’s the central question Minnesota is seeking to answer: can Mr. Hockenson be excellent in the future? That’s what’s interesting and pivotal.”
Hockenson’s 2025 Campaign
Hockenson’s 2025 box score tells one story, but the game film revealed another.
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While he finished with 51 receptions for 438 yards and three touchdowns, the quarterback situation was unstable. J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer all took snaps, preventing the passing game from finding consistency and limiting the production of everyone except Jalen Nailor.
Minnesota Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson (87) has his helmet knocked off after gaining a first down against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, Nov. 10, 2024. The play unfolded during second-quarter action as Hockenson battled through contact to move the chains. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-Imagn Images.
Furthermore, Hockenson’s role shifted significantly. Minnesota’s offensive line struggled throughout the year due to injuries and inconsistent play. As a result, Kevin O’Connell adjusted the game plan, acknowledging midseason that Hockenson was blocking more frequently. He essentially became an additional lineman, providing extra protection and reinforcing the edges.
Even with Christian Darrisaw’s return from an ACL injury in September, the line never fully solidified, and Hockenson continued to fill gaps. Thus, his receiving numbers declined, leading some fans to believe his performance was deteriorating.
However, Hockenson is turning 29 this year and retains his route-running skills, exceptional catch radius, and ability to dominate the middle of the field. If he returns to a primary receiving role, his production should rebound accordingly — if the Vikings find stable quarterback production in 2026.
The TEs in Addition to Hockenson
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Along with Hockenson, Minnesota has these tight ends under contract in 2026
Josh Oliver
Gavin Bartholomew
Ben Yurosek
Bryson Nesbit
None of these combatants would be tapped on the shoulder for TE1 duty, barring an amazingly bizarre upward ascent at training camp, meaning Minnesota would have to scour free agency for a replacement like Isaiah Likely, Darren Waller, or Cade Otton, to name a few.
New Orleans Saints scout Josh Hill (left) speaks with Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana, Feb. 27, 2026. The two met on the field as evaluators gathered information ahead of the upcoming NFL Draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The early section of April’s draft will also feature Oregon’s Kenyon Sadiq and Vanderbilt’s Eli Stowers, both of whom performed marvelously at the NFL Combine last week.
The Hockenson verdict should be made public within a week or so. He basically has to decide if the paycut from Minnesota would be more or less than what he’d command on the open market.
The world heavyweight title thriller between champion Fabio Wardley and challenger Daniel Dubois edges ever close. Ahead of the contest, Tony Bellew has weighed in with his verdict.
Wardley promised fans a high level first defence after he was promoted from interim to full champion due to Oleksandr Usyk vacating the belt. He has delivered on that by accepting the challenge of Dubois, who poses one of the biggest knockout risks in the division despite coming off a loss to the Ukrainian.
Speaking on First Round TV, former world champion Bellew rejected the idea that the more schooled challenger is the fuller package, saying Ipswich’s Wardley has more in his arsenal and backing him to prove that on the night.
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“Brilliant fight … People keep saying this thing that Daniel Dubois is a better boxer than Fabio Wardley, I actually don’t think he is. I think Fabio has more strings to his bow. I think there’s more things that he can do. I think his defence is better.
“Don’t get me wrong, the one thing Daniel can do better is if he just goes for pure aggression and power, then of course I think Daniel is better skilled in that department. But, as an all-round fighter, I think Fabio is better and I think he’ll show it on the night.”
In terms of strategy, Bellew laid out how he would tackle Dubois, who stopped Jarrell Miller, Filip Hrgovic and Anthony Joshua in 2024.
“Daniel Dubois is a confidence fighter. The more confident he is, the better he is. If you can strip that confidence back within the first round – stiff jabs, make him question himself, put it on him in short spaces. Don’t be exchanging with him within the first couple of rounds. I’d be shooting from quite far out with the jab and looking to nail him when he rushes in. I think by the end of round two, he’ll be questioning himself.”
“I think Daniel Dubois might hit harder with the one shot, but I think Fabio carries his power better and he definitely carries it later.
“He’s quite predictable Daniel and he’s easy to hit, so you’ve got to take advantage. But, as I said before, another side of that coin is he’s super, super dangerous when he lands. Especially in the early rounds. You’ve got to take that away.”
With Friday’s National Hockey League trading deadline creeping closer like a dare, Vancouver general manager Patrik Allvin isn’t getting much help these days from his players as he tries to sell off a couple of pieces to help the team’s rebuild.
In three games since the Olympic break, the Canucks are 0-2-1 and in the last two have been outscored 11-2.
In the team’s first game back last Wednesday, scouts or management staff from 15 other NHL teams were crowding reporters in the Rogers Arena press box. When the Canucks were humiliated 6-1 Monday by the Dallas Stars, a Stanley Cup contender that dominated the home team despite missing Mikko Rantanen and Roope Hintz, only five other NHL organizations were represented. Four, not including the Stars.
Let’s be real: anyone interested in rental trades for free-agent-eligible Canucks Evander Kane and Teddy Blueger probably aren’t changing their minds based on Vancouver’s most recent duds because these players have been watched for years, and it’s their body of work teams would be purchasing.
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But it sure would help the sales team if the Canucks didn’t look so overmatched and uncompetitive during deadline week, especially since it’s obvious none of the available UFAs is anybody’s Plan-A. It’s possible Allvin may have to wait until the final hours before the deadline to see which teams circle back on his players.
The veteran Canucks with more trade appeal are those the team would rather not discount, like Connor Garland and Drew O’Connor.
Whatever happens, only one pre-deadline game remains for the Canucks to showcase themselves – and it’s Wednesday against a Carolina Hurricanes team that is every bit as good as the Stars.
“We just have to be better in a lot of different areas,” O’Connor said. “We gave them a ton of Grade-As. Tolo (Canucks goalie Nikita Tolopilo) had some good saves but, I mean, you give them that many Grade-As, they’re going to score. We struggled all night, I thought.”
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The Canucks are in last place in the NHL for many reasons, but one of the biggest, injuries, should no longer be a factor.
The team emerged from the Olympic break as healthy as it has been this season. Not including injured starting goalie Thatcher Demko, the only missing skaters are luckless middle-six centre Filip Chytil and depth defenceman Derek Forbort.
Finally playing with the luxury of four actual NHL centres, Vancouver should not look this bad, even with three first- or second-year prospects on defence.
But the Canucks simply aren’t doing enough offensively to offset what has been a continuation of the defensive mistakes that have crushed them this season. And culpability for those goes far beyond three inexperienced kids on the blue line.
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It was veteran winger Jake DeBrusk who let Stars defenceman Lian Bichsel skate away from him to score Dallas’ go-ahead goal at 8:31 of the second period. Experienced defenceman Marcus Pettersson turned the puck over in his zone on the fourth Dallas goal, and O’Connor bobbled the puck away in his slot on the fifth one.
Kane, at least, scored Vancouver’s goal in the first period, albeit with his skate on the rebound from DeBrusk’s shot. Despite being outchanced and slightly outplayed in the opening 20 minutes, the Canucks competed and hung in against the Stanley Cup contenders.
But the Stars outshot them 16-3 in the second period and 32-7 over the final 43 minutes. Needing a surge to start the third period, when a Vancouver goal would have cut Dallas’ lead to 3-2, the mistakes by Pettersson and O’Connor allowed Stars Matt Duchene and Colin Blackwell to score in the first six minutes.
“Usually, you don’t see those guys do those things,” coach Adam Foote said. “But after that… we’ve all been there before as players (when) you don’t feel anything’s going your way. That’s where you just kind of dig deep and stick together and, you know, put out the fires together.
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“You learn from it, right? You’re going to have to, that one, learn the hard way. You’re playing against a really good, savvy hockey team on their A-game. Even with a couple of guys out, they won nine in a row coming in and, you know, those types of plays, they’re going to bury you on it.”
The Stars had won eight straight before Monday, so their heater is now nine games.
The Canucks, meanwhile, have won twice in 21 games in the year 2026.
After scoring twice in seven consecutive games, their struggling offence has fallen by half in consecutive losses to Dallas and Seattle, where the Canucks were thumped 5-1 on Saturday.
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Vancouver’s 14 shots against the Stars were a season low.
Garland hasn’t scored in 22 games, and Elias Pettersson is goalless in 14. Benched in Seattle, Pettersson returned to the first line on Monday but still doesn’t have a shot on net since the Olympic break.
DeBrusk has one goal in 17 games, Marco Rossi one in 11 since his trade to the Canucks.
Without Vezina Trophy goaltending, the Canucks have no chance to win like this.
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“We’ve got to find a way,” Marcus Pettersson said of the adversity. “Like, we can’t just fall down and die; we’ve got to get back on the horse. And like I said, it’s up to us, to us veterans in here, to kind of get the team back on track. And I think we can do a better job of that.”
“Everyone wants to be better,” O’Connor said. “I mean, I was pretty bad tonight; I gave up that fifth goal. I turn the puck over, and they score. There’s a lot of plays I could have been better on tonight and, you know, we probably all need to look ourselves in the mirror a little bit.”
Sixth defenceman Pierre-Olivier Joseph left the game with an injury one shift into the third period. The Canucks only extra defenceman has been Tyler Myers, who has sat out the last three games while Allvin tries to trade him. Foote was unsure post-game what the Canucks will do with their lineup on Wednesday if Joseph is unavailable to face the Hurricanes.
Hebano is an Exclusive unit in Anime Vanguards that specializes in applying the Burn status ailment and buffing own damage based on its application. This unit was previously available as a summonable unit, but is currently unobtainable through regular gameplay. Her abilities boost her damage and that of her allies based on the Burn status effect, and she may apply the Scorched status ailment as well.
Here’s everything you need to know about Hebano in Anime Vanguards.
Breaking down Hebano in Anime Vanguards
How to get and evolve
Hebano was available as a summonable unit (Image via Roblox)
As mentioned earlier, Hebano was previously a summonable unit from the Spring Banner. Since the banner has expired, she can no longer be acquired through summons. Instead, you may obtain her through the game’s trading system.
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Once you acquire her, Hebano can be evolved into Hebano (Clematis) using the items listed below. Note that her evolutiondoesn’t have a takedown requirement associated with it, unlike most other units in the game.
1x Fire Flowers
1x Shamrock
30x Green Essence
10x Purple Essence
30x Red Essence
1x Rainbow Essence
15,000 Gold
Check out The Doctor in Anime Vanguards, a powerful Familiar that gains bonuses based on the Corruption applied to it.
Abilities and Trait recommendation
Hebano in her pre-evolved state (Image via Roblox)
Hebano has two passive abilities in her evolved state: Flaming Resonance and Scorched. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have any active abilities that add a layer of interactivity to the unit.
Flaming Resonance causes a sakura tree to spawn when Hebano is first placed onto the field. This tree has a range equivalent to 20% of Hebano’s current range stat, which can be upgraded and expanded. Its purpose is to reapply any burn that is applied while the enemy is within the tree’s range.
The Scorched ability allows Hebano to apply the Burn status ailment, which deals 30% damage over the course of eight seconds. If a burning enemy enters the sakura tree’s range, it receives the Scorched status ailment for 60 seconds. Scorched enemies receive 20% additional damage from Fire-type allies, effectively acting as offensive support.
Considering her reliance on the Burn status ailment, the best Traits for Hebano are Marksman, Deadeye, and Solar. Marksman and Solar expand the unit’s range, helping Hebano extend the effects of her sakura tree. Deadeye, on the other hand, grants her a critical chance and critical damage bonus instead.
Hebano is currently only available through trading, as the summon banner she was available on has expired.
What rarity does Hebano belong to?
Hebano belongs to the Exclusive rarity.
What does Hebano specialize in?
Hebano specializes in applying the Burn and Scorched status ailment, dealing damage over time and boosting Fire-type allies’ damage against burning enemies.
For a football fan growing up in India, the Bundesliga always felt like a distant, thunderous dream. We are used to the 100,000-strong roars at the Eden Gardens or the electric chaos of the IPL, but nothing prepares you for the industrial, raw passion of Dortmund on a matchday. This is the story of my journey from the cricket-crazy streets of India to the vertical fortress of Signal Iduna Park in Germany. As I arrived in Dortmund on the morning of the Bundesliga showdown against Bayern Munich, everywhere in the city, from scarves to the enormous banners draped over the stadium, you’ll see the phrase “Echte Liebe” (True Love). To an outsider, it may look like a marketing slogan, but standing in the middle of that yellow swarm, you realise it’s a way of life.
The Fortress: The Yellow Wall
One look at the Yellow Wall at Signal Iduna Park was enough for me to realise that this isn’t just a terrace; it’s an inheritance. Unlike many modern leagues where tickets go to the highest bidder, many of the 25,000 standing area spots here are passed down through generations. To hold a place on the Yellow Wall, you don’t just buy a ticket-you inherit a legacy.
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The Ultras and the “Beer Drought”
Before the first whistle even blew, the city had already transformed into a sea of black and yellow. Hordes of fans moved like a single organism-the Ultras. The air was thick with the scent of pyros and the anticipation of a massive tifo inside the stadium.
Locals joked that kiosks were “running out of beer” hours before kick-off. In Dortmund, matchday isn’t a 90-minute event; it’s a 12-hour festival where the city’s heartbeat syncs with the pounding drums from the stadium.
Echoes of the Past: The “Twin” Stadium
Just a stone’s throw from Signal Iduna Park, still lovingly called Westfalenstadion by loyalists, sits Stadion Rote Erde. It’s the “twin” of the modern stadium, steeped in history. Watching the women’s and youth teams play there felt poetic-a reminder that while the main stage has evolved, the roots of the club remain firmly planted in the same “Red Earth.”
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The Soul of the League: The 50+1 Rule
Coming from India, where sports franchises are often corporate-owned, the Bundesliga’s 50+1 Rule felt revolutionary. Here, football belongs to the fans. This rule ensures that club members retain the majority of voting rights. It’s why tickets remain affordable and why the atmosphere feels so authentic-these aren’t “customers” in the stands; they’re owners.
Stadium Experience: Cricket vs Bundesliga
In India, cricket is a marathon, a slow burn of emotions with long pauses for snacks and analysis. Dortmund is a 90-minute sprint. The intensity never drops. There’s no “waiting for a boundary.” The chanting is relentless from warm-ups to the final whistle.
Indian crowds may be louder, but in Germany, the crowd is orchestrated. Every clap, every shout, every chant is timed with military precision. The result? An atmosphere that feels even more intense than many cricket cauldrons back home.
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The Silence of the Away End
Against the mighty Yellow Wall, the Bayern Munich away section felt like a tiny island in a stormy sea. The travelling Bavarians, famous for their discipline and vocal support, still found their voices swallowed by the acoustics of Signal Iduna Park.
There is something haunting about the “silence” of an away end in Dortmund. Even at full volume, the sound barely travels a few metres before being drowned out by 25,000 home fans who treat every clearance like a match-winning moment.
In this stadium, you’re not just playing eleven men-you’re playing an entire city. Yet, in the end it was the away end that celebrated with the match-winning Bayern players.
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A Clash of Philosophies: Ruthlessness vs Nurture
After the match, the contrast between the two giants was unmistakable. As Serge Gnabry noted after they went 11 points clear, taking the foot off the pedal is never an option. Ruthlessness is their DNA. Winning is the only metric.
The CEO’s comments offered a different vision. Despite not winning the league in over a decade, the Bundesliga remains their priority, but success isn’t defined only by titles. Dortmund is the world’s premier “school” for emerging talent. As long as rising stars like Haaland, Bellingham, and Dembele continue to choose them, the club’s heart continues to beat strongly.
Why Germany? The Player’s Perspective
Why do young stars choose Germany over England or Spain? It’s the “pressure cooker” effect. The high-pressure fan culture and the sink-or-swim nature of the Bundesliga forge teenagers into world-beaters. They don’t just come for the football-they come for the education that only German fan culture can provide.
And the cherry on top? A selfie with Harry Kane after the match. Even after a high-stakes Klassiker, the accessibility and mutual respect between players and fans. Even as a travelling Indian journalist, this was the perfect end to a dream trip.
The top three in the league have separated themselves, but other teams are hoping to write their legacies this March.
