The Sport Matrix: Thursday 26 February 2015

Rodgers fearful of Europa hangover

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers fears tonight’s Europa League trip to Besiktas will impact upon their Sunday Premier League meeting with champions Manchester City. “That extra 48 hours City have to prepare could be crucial,” he said. “Especially as we don’t get back until three in the morning. We haven’t been given much help, because we are playing relatively early on the Sunday.”

Murray shows Sousa no mercy

Andy Murray made short work of Joao Sousa once again to race into the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships yesterday.

The Scot, who reached the final on his last appearance in Dubai three years ago, had never lost a set against his opponent in four previous meetings and needed just 57 minutes to post a 6-0, 6-2 victory thanks to 38 unforced errors from the Portuguese.

Aurore suffers Festival setback

Aurore D’Estruval, the second favourite for the Mares’ Hurdle on day one of the Cheltenham Festival, will miss the race after suffering a setback.

The five-year-old had won two of her three starts and finished runner-up in the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle this season. But her trainer, John Quinn, said: “She’s nearly right, but she won’t be going to Cheltenham.”

Rio considers having two flames burning

Rio de Janeiro could have two Olympic flames burning simultaneously at two different venues next year.

The plan is for the Olympic cauldron to burn at the Maracana stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies and football finals will be held. But officials are suggesting another flame could be lit at the Nilton Santos stadium, where the blue riband athletics events take place.

“There has to be a flame at the Maracana because it will be lit there,” said Leonardo Caetano, the director of ceremonies for Rio2016. “And the Olympic stadium historically has a flame. So the way to go is with two flames. But nothing has been decided yet.”

Olympic officials are in Rio this week to monitor preparations for South America’s first Olympiad and for executive committee meetings.

IOC President Thomas Bach said that he was not opposed to such initiatives.

Farrell: England are up for the fight

The England backs coach, Andy Farrell, believes the side have the aggression required to prevail in Ireland this Sunday. “The important thing is to have the

right balance in the team,” he said ahead of the Dublin encounter. “We feel we have the enforcers to make an impact.”