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SANTA CLARA – The 49ers' top defensive players expect to play in the finale of the 2023 NFL regular season against the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday.

Or . . . At least they're approaching the week of practice feeling like they're going to spend most of the game on the field.

“Right now, my expectation is to play the entire game until told otherwise,” 49ers Pro Bowl linebacker Fred Warner said.

Coach Kyle Shanahan certainly doesn't plan on going all out to beat the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday at Levi's Stadium.

The 49ers (12-4) cannot improve their playoff ranking because of their No. 1 seed, which gave them a bye in the first round of the playoffs and home-field advantage throughout the NFC side of the bracket.

Quarterback Brock Purdy will share snaps with backup Sam Darnold during practice week, but Darnold will start Sunday's game against the Rams.

Running back Christian McCaffrey said he would definitely play if the 49ers had to win this game, but since he left last week's game with a mild calf strain, he won't see any action, Shanahan said.

But Shanahan wants his other seven Pro Bowl players to approach this week with the mindset of preparing to play in a game.

“I’m going to prepare like I’m going to play no matter what and what the head coach says, no matter,” Warner said.

The 49ers likely won't impose the typical gameday workload on their frontline players. But Shanahan doesn't want his players to idle this week either.

“I think keeping your head in a normal week is the right thing to do at this point,” 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa said. “Maybe it won’t be quite as physically demanding. And who knows how much playing time you’ll actually get on Sunday, but that attitude is the most important thing.”

The 49ers and the AFC's top seed Baltimore Ravens received a bye in the first round of the playoffs. In this playoff format, the No. 1 seeded teams opened the playoffs on a Saturday during the divisional round in each of the last two seasons. If this pattern continues, the 49ers' first playoff game would be Saturday, January 20th.

Warner said the reward of a first-round playoff bye was good enough for him. He said he didn't need the extra rest that might come with a week-long win.

“I really don’t feel like we need two bye weeks,” Warner said. “I feel like the fact that we earned a week is everything. That's great.

“When next week comes, we will take full advantage of it. But for now the plan was to play 17 games, so we still have one game left, so we will play it.”

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After surprising Canada in the quarterfinals, the Czech Republic tried to take the lead again at the Junior Ice Hockey World Championship on Thursday, but Sweden held on with a 5-2 win and advanced to the final.

Sweden will face the USA, who beat Finland in the other semifinal, in their final game.

Buoyed by the partisan crowd in Gothenburg, the Swedes started with three goals in the third period. The opponents held out in the first 40 minutes, initially took the lead and equalized the score to 2-2 in the middle of the second third.

• Also read: World Juniors: Here are the eight times Canada missed the medal round

• Also read: World Juniors: The United States in the final

At the beginning of the third period everything collapsed for the Czechs. Ales Cech received a minor penalty for double checking and Jonathan Lekkerimaki quickly rewarded him with a powerful slap shot on the power play.

Patrik Augusta's team tried to come back, but instead revealed gaps to the Swedes. Noah Ostlund made the final score 4-2 by scoring on a breakaway with no red jerseys nearby. His celebration, a famous “dab,” was worth it.

Lekkerimaki confirmed his team's victory a minute later with his second success of the game. Theo Lindstein and Axel Sandin Pellikka were the other Swedish goalscorers.

The Czech Republic will play against Finland for the bronze medal on Friday.

Norway was relegated

In the relegation game, Germany secured their place in the elite group and participation in the next World Cup in Ottawa next year.

They also beat Norway 5-4 in extra time. This means the Scandinavian country returns to the lower league, from which it was promoted last year.

It was Moritz Elias who played the hero in extra time. The German striker hit the top of the net with an excellent wrist shot from Markus Stensrud.

In the winning camp, striker Veit Oswald and defender Phillip Sinn each scored a goal and two assists. Mats Bakke Olsen led the Norwegian team with two wins, including the one that sent everyone into extra time.

Last Saturday, December 30th, Fabian Bustos He was officially introduced as the new coach of University of Sports at a press conference. The Argentine coach was accompanied by part of his technical command, Jean Ferrari and Manuel Barreto. The former Santos coach from Brazil will gain his first experience in Peru and arrives with a mission to make the top team two-time champions in the 100th anniversary and do a good job in the Copa Libertadores.

This Thursday, January 4th, Carlos Bustosformer coach and champion with Alianza Lima in 2021, spoke about Fabián's arrival at Universitario and highlighted the competitiveness of his brother, whom he described as someone who is committed.

What did Carlos say about Fabián Bustos, the new coach of the Universitario de Deportes?

“Fabián is very competitive, he is a technician, he is obsessed and committed. He's accomplishing some things where he needs to be that are important to me. He adapts completely to the characteristics of the players he has.” “I would define him above all as someone who is very competitive and constantly thinks about improving his team,” he said in an interview with sports commentator Horacio Zimmerman.

YOU CAN SEE: Piero Quispe declared himself a Pumas player for the first time and told why he chose this club

When asked if his brother is a coach with a fixed system or if he adapts to the characteristics of the players in his squad, Carlos Bustos pointed out that Fabián is a strategist who is ready to adapt to different forms. “We all have an ideal way we want to play (…). He has prepared very well to deal with different types and alternatives,” he replied.

What is the most remarkable aspect of Fabián Bustos as a coach?

The former San Martín coach also said that the most remarkable point that his brother Fabián has is that Competitiveness and the knowledge of how to develop footballers.

“I say competitiveness and I also think about strengthening players, finding a player at a level and taking him to a higher level with the team. That is a virtue that he has and that is fundamental for coaches,” he added.

Furthermore, he described his family member as a fair person who usually shows his character when leading a party. “I think Fabián is a fair-minded coach. His character comes into its own most on the pitch. It's possible he gets angry at a press conference. I see him calmer and more balanced, but on the field he really likes justice and when he doesn't find it, it's explosive,” he said.

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  Paul Gutierrez, ESPN Staff Writer January 4, 2024, 6:57 p.m. ET

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  Paul Gutierrez joined NFL Nation in 2013 and serves as a reporter for the Las Vegas Raiders. He has a cross-platform role – he writes on ESPN.com, appears on television on NFL Live and SportsCenter, and appears on podcasts and radio. Prior to joining ESPN, Gutierrez spent three years as a multiplatform reporter at CSN Bay Area, where he covered the Raiders and Oakland Athletics and hosted the cable news show SportsNet Central. Gutierrez is a Baseball Hall of Fame voter, is also a member of the Professional Football Writers of America and currently serves as president of the PFWA Las Vegas chapter. He is also a member of the California Chicano News Media Association and the National Association of Hispanic Journalists. Gutierrez is the author of three books: Tommy Davis' Tales from the Dodgers Dugout, 100 Things Raiders Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die and If These Walls Could Talk: Stories from the Raiders Sideline, Locker Room and Press Box with Lincoln Kennedy. You can follow Paul on Twitter @PGutierrezESPN

HENDERSON, Nev. – Two of the Las Vegas Raiders' most well-known players have come out in full support of Antonio Pierce having the interim tag removed from his coaching title by team owner Mark Davis.

A day after All-Pro receiver Davante Adams said Pierce has his “voice” to become coach in 2024 and “that's basically how the whole locker room feels,” three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher Maxx said Crosby said Pierce had his “100%.” also support.

“There are only 32 [NFL] “There are a lot of head coaches around the world,” Crosby said Thursday, “so you have to find a leader of men.” And if you have one of them in the building right now, I don’t know why you would let them go.

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Crosby, who has a career-high 13.5 sacks, also stumped for Rich Bisaccia two years ago – to no avail – after leading the Raiders to a playoff berth as interim coach.

Since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2019 draft, Crosby and the Raiders have an overall record of 38-44 heading into Sunday's finale against the Denver Broncos and have had just one winning season – 2021, when they made the playoffs at 10-44 achieved. 7 marks.

“I made the playoffs once every five years. They’re cops—,” Crosby said. “And we have to figure out what we're going to do in the future. And I'm fed up with change. I'm tired of losing. I just want stability and fucking consistency, and that's all that matters to me. I want to win.”

Pierce, who replaced the fired Josh McDaniels on November 1, has led the Raiders to 4-4 with big wins over the New York Giants (30-6), Los Angeles Chargers (63-21) and Kansas City Chiefs. Brand led (20-14). There were also confusing losses to the Minnesota Vikings (3-0) and the Indianapolis Colts (23-20).

Since taking over the organization following the death of his father Al Davis in October 2011, Mark Davis is his eighth coach, including interim coaches – Hue Jackson, Dennis Allen, Tony Sparano, Jack Del Rio, Jon Gruden, Bisaccia, McDaniels and Pierce.

“I mean, he's done a great job and continued to impress us,” Adams said of Pierce. “It’s not just a convenient thing; I think having AP here will be good for this organization. “He kind of embodies what it means to be a Raider, and that mentality and that swag and all the things that he supports are the things that I believe in.” In.

“So it's easy for a guy like me, especially because I've studied him a little bit this year, gotten to know him and seen his development in front of the team and all those things, all the different areas of being a head coach.” So I’m definitely there for him.”

The Wenatchee Wild traded forwards Matthew Savoie and Conor Geekie to acquire 11 draft picks.

The Western Junior League (WHL) team made the announcement on Thursday, two days after Canada was eliminated in the quarterfinals of the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships. The two skaters swapped by the Wild represented the Maple Leaf during the prestigious competition.

• Also read: Canadians: Owen Beck would change junior clubs

• Also read: World Juniors: The United States in the final

Savoie was traded to the Moose Jaw Warriors for two selections in the first round (2024 and 2027) and second (2026), third (2024), fourth (2027), sixth (2024) and eighth round (2025).

The Buffalo Sabers prospect played one game in the National League and six in the American League in 2023-24. Selected in the first round (ninth overall) of the 2022 Amateur Auction, the player also collected 11 goals and 13 assists for 24 points in 11 games with the Wild.

For his part, Geekie was traded to the Swift Current Broncos for first-round picks (2025 and 2026), a second-round slot (2025) and a seventh-round slot (2027). Three players also make the opposite route to Wenatchee. They are defenders Josh Fluker and Sam Ward and forward Maddix McCagherty.

Geekie, a first-round pick (11th overall) of the Arizona Coyotes in 2022, has 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points in 26 games in the WHL this season.

The Wild are in second place in the Junior Western Division with a record of 23-13-3.

The remarkable arrival of the Uruguayan midfielder would complete the foreign quotas in Alejandro Restrepo's team. Find out what their training could look like with the new signings in 2024.

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Alianza Lima wants to be the protagonist again and lift the trophy League 1 at the end of the year, in addition to his big role in the Copa Libertadores. The blue and white squad has restructured itself after the poor end of 2023: it gave up some references and signed several footballers at national and international level; In fact, they have already fulfilled their foreign quotas for this season, meaning that up to six players from abroad can be in the squad and on the field.

The impending arrival of Uruguayan Sebastián Rodríguez from Peñarol to La Victoria means there is another foreigner in addition to the Argentine defender Santiago García He still has a contract with his confidants. Although he was able to learn that “Santi” is looking to leave, there is still no official announcement of his release from the club.

César Merlo's tweet about Sebastián Rodríguez. Photo: Photo taken by X

Who are Alianza Lima's 6 foreigners for 2024?

• Paul Sabbag – forward (Colombia)
• Jiovany Ramos – Defense (Panama)
• Juan Pablo Freytes – Defense (Argentina)
• Adrian Arregui – Midfielder (Argentina)
• Cecilio Waterman – forward (Panama)
• Sebastian Rodríguez – Midfielder (Uruguay).

What would be the direction of Alianza Lima for 2024?

With a line of three defenders, this could be the formation with which Professor Restrepo faces the local championship and the Conmebol Libertadores in 2024.

• Angelo Campos Marco Huaman, Jiovany Ramos, Juan Pablo Freytes; Adrian Aregui, Jhamir D'Arrigo; Kevin Serna Sebastian RodríguezBryan Reyna; Cecilio Waterman j Paul Sabbag.

Alianza Lima will play Liga 1 and Copa Libertadores in 2024. Photo: Alianza Lima

When will the Blue and White Night 2024 take place?

The presentation of the closer squad will take place at the Blanquiazul Night, which will take place next Monday, January 15, at 9:00 p.m. (Peruvian time) at the National Stadium. On this day, Victorian fans will reunite with the team they love and compete in a friendly match Once Caldas of Colombian football.

Alianza Lima will play against Once Caldas on Blanquiazul Night 2024. Photo: Alianza Lima

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Communicator specializing in journalism from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos (UNMSM). Experience in writing, speaking and presenting on radio. Currently sports editor at the newspaper La República. With a particular interest in social issues and current national politics.

The Raiders will soon begin their latest search for a new head coach. Star defenseman Maxx Crosby believes it shouldn't take long to find the right person.

Crosby made the case Thursday for interim coach Antonio Pierce to get the job.

“There are only 32 [NFL] Head coaches around the world,” Crosby said Thursday, via Paul Gutierrez of ESPN.com. “So you have to find a leader of men. And if you have one of them in the building right now, I don’t know why you would let them go.”

Earlier this week, receiver Davante Adams expressed his support for Pierce.

Owner Mark Davis declined to keep interim coach Rich Bisaccia two years ago, even though the Raiders made the playoffs and nearly beat the Bengals. That should, in theory, encourage Davis not to make the same mistake again.

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is hovering over the situation. Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently brought together the preliminary points that could return Harbaugh to the team that began his coaching career with in 2002.

The hiring of agent Don Yee and Yee's connection to Tom Brady and Brady's connection to the Raiders could mean something. Or nothing. Regardless, Davis will have to weigh the possibility of hiring Harbaugh against the possibility that Harbaugh ends up with the Chargers instead.

The Boston Bruins are doing very well without Patrice Bergeron, but Brad Marchand would like to see his old partner on the ice again.

It would be surprising to see the Quebecer back in the National Hockey League, at least as a player, as he apparently thought long and hard about his decision last summer. Bergeron ended his career after 19 seasons and while he sometimes misses hockey, he believes he made the right decision, he told NHL.com in November.

“Bergy [Bergeron]I think he's annoyed with how often I push him to come back. He's excited about what's coming, so I'm trying not to be too hard on him,” said Marchand, who was a guest on the popular Pat McAfee Show, on Thursday.

I don't think the two men have stopped communicating even though they are no longer teammates. Marchand is Bergeron's successor as captain of the Bruins, and he listened carefully to his friend's advice.

“I talk to him about it all the time. Raymond Bourque also contacted me several times. The people who came through there left quite a legacy. They want to continue to help the team and that makes them proud,” explained the 35-year-old.

“It's a lot of pressure following a guy like Bergy,” Marchand continued. Not just Bergy, but also Z [Zdeno Chara] in front of him. These two guys were two of the best captains, not just for our team, but in the history of this sport. It was stressful to follow in those footsteps.”

Marchand has to make do with the “C” stitched on his jersey pretty well, as the Bruins sit atop the Atlantic Division at midseason. Before the game on Thursday evening, the left winger now had 33 points in 36 games.