Category: Sport

One 12 months on from their beautiful unbeaten Bundesliga title triumph, new Bayern Leverkusen coach Erik Ten Hag has been handed the duty of rebuilding the membership, alongside along with his personal repute.

Leverkusen open their Bundesliga season at dwelling in opposition to Hoffenheim on Saturday after a turbulent summer season, with high-profile departures on and off the pitch, rendering the facet unrecognisable from the 2023-24 double winners.

The architect of that success, Xabi Alonso, has moved on to Actual Madrid and brought his backroom workers with him.

Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong and Lukas Hradecky — all pillars in Leverkusen’s double-winning season — additionally left this summer season, with others rumoured to be heading out the door.

Of their place are a number of thrilling if inexperienced newcomers, together with Jarell Quansah, Malik Tillman and Ernest Poku, with a number of extra reportedly on their manner.

Along with his repute taking successful after a tough spell at Manchester United, regardless of profitable the FA Cup and League Cup, Ten Hag can be searching for a reboot.

The Dutchman mentioned as a lot in his opening press convention in August. When requested about following on from Leverkusen’s glory days, the 55-year-old mentioned “you possibly can’t sail as we speak on the wind from yesterday.”

The coach was assured however requested for endurance, saying it will take him some time to weave his magic.

“Nobody is Harry Potter, constructing a staff so shortly and being profitable on the similar time. That’s not how top-level soccer works.”

In Ten Hag’s debut within the German Cup on Friday, Leverkusen overcame some early nerves — and a 45-minute storm interruption — to beat fourth-division Grossaspach 4-0.

The coach praised his fees after the win however mentioned “you possibly can see that not all of the processes are working but. It takes time.”

Away from the scrutiny he confronted at Previous Trafford, one of many world’s largest golf equipment, Ten Hag will likely be given time at Leverkusen.

In an interview with AFP and different media final week, former Germany, United States and Bayern Munich coach Jurgen Klinsmann backed Ten Hag to “drive Leverkusen to their most of success.

“Leverkusen should redefine their objectives, since you can’t anticipate them to win the championship now.

“The aim will likely be attending to a Champions League spot and perhaps profitable the German Cup, and doing nicely in Europe as nicely.

“Erik completely has the information, the charisma and the capabilities to do very well.”

One to look at: Harry Kane

Usually not one to rock the boat, Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane hit out at his facet’s lack of switch exercise forward of his third season within the Bundesliga.

Contemporary from scoring the opener in Saturday’s 2-1 Tremendous Cup win over Stuttgart, Kane mentioned he felt the facet have been “gentle” and hoped for extra reinforcements.

“It’s one of many smallest squads I’ve performed in,” Kane informed reporters after the win. “(However) there’s nonetheless time till the top of the switch window.

“We have now a few actually good younger gamers who’ve completed nicely within the pre-season video games however we’re a little bit gentle if we’re being sincere.”

After dropping Thomas Mueller, Leroy Sane, Kingsley Coman, Joao Palhinha, Eric Dier and Mathys Tel, Bayern have introduced in solely two skilled signings: Germany centre-back Tah and winger Luis Diaz, who scored the winner on Saturday.

With Jamal Musiala injured and unlikely to return till 2026, Kane might want to carry a heavier burden than normal up entrance.

Key stats

12/13 – Defending champions Bayern have received 12 of the previous 13 Bundesliga titles, with solely Leverkusen’s 2023-24 championship breaking the streak.

7 – Six-time German champions Hamburg are again within the prime flight after seven seasons within the second division.

62 – Harry Kane has 62 objectives in 63 Bundesliga video games for Bayern, together with 18 assists.

Fixtures (1330 GMT until said)

Friday

Bayern Munich v RB Leipzig (1830)

Saturday

Bayer Leverkusen v Hoffenheim, Union Berlin v Stuttgart, Freiburg v Augsburg, Heidenheim v Wolfsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt v Werder Bremen, St Pauli v Borussia Dortmund (1630)

Sunday

Mainz v Cologne, Borussia Moenchengladbach v Hamburg (1530)

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Luis Suarez scored a penalty in every half to present Inter Miami a 2-1 victory over Tigres UANL on Wednesday, stepping as much as fill the void after Lionel Messi was dominated out of the Leagues Cup quarter-final conflict.

Messi, who has battled a “minor” muscle harm since a Leagues Cup group match on August 2, returned Saturday after a two-week absence, scoring a aim after approaching instead in a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Nevertheless, the 38-year-old World Cup winner was dominated out in opposition to Tigres as Inter superior within the cross-border membership competitors for groups from Main League Soccer and Mexico’s Liga-MX.

In a duel that produced few scoring possibilities, veteran Uruguay striker Suarez was the distinction as Inter stored alive their hopes of regaining the title they received in 2023, throughout Messi’s first season in MLS.

Issues swung Miami’s approach within the twentieth minute when Javier Aquino slid to intercept a cross and the ball hit his left arm within the space.

The referee awarded the penalty and the 38-year-old Suarez transformed.

Tempers flared, with Suarez shifting to calm issues down after Miami teammate Rodrigo De Paul and Uruguayan compatriot Fernando Gorriaran exchanged phrases.

Inter coach Javier Mascherano was despatched off at half time, receiving a purple card for heated protestations to officers after harm time dragged on previous what had been indicated.

Mascherano watched from a entrance row of the stands when Tigres grabbed their equalizer within the 67th minute, Angel Correa slipping between two defenders and beating Miami keeper Oscar Ustari.

One other handball by Aquino within the 87th minute, confirmed by VAR, gave Miami one other penalty and Suarez transformed once more, this time going to left as goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman dived in the other way.

Miami’s sport with Tigres was one in all 4 Leagues Cup quarter-finals set for Wednesday.

Mexico’s Toluca face Orlando Metropolis earlier than Los Angeles Galaxy host Pachuca, whereas the Seattle Sounders tackle Puebla at house.

There’s extra at stake than the Leagues Cup trophy.

Each finalists and the third-place match winner will qualify for the Concacaf Champions Cup, with the Leagues Cup champion securing direct entry to the Champions Cup spherical of 16.

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Celtic’s Champions League hopes are firmly within the steadiness after they had been held to a goalless draw by Kairat Almaty of Kazakhstan in Glasgow within the first leg of their play-off tie on Wednesday, whereas Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce performed out a goalless draw with Benfica.

The Scottish champions pushed Bayern Munich shut within the knockout section play-offs final season after ending twenty first out of 36 groups within the league stage.

However Brendan Rodgers’s group couldn’t break down the champions of Kazakhstan, who’ve already come via three qualifying rounds to get to this stage and are eyeing a primary ever look within the competitors correct.

James Forrest was denied by a fantastic save from Kairat goalkeeper Aleksandr Zarutskiy proper firstly of the second half from certainly one of few clear probabilities that fell Celtic’s manner at Parkhead.

On the different finish, Brazilian Edmilson noticed a chip from contained in the centre circle for Kairat land on the roof of the online following a mistake by Celtic defender Cameron Carter-Vickers.

Daizen Maeda then discovered himself in behind the Kairat defence late on however may solely shoot straight at substitute goalkeeper Temirlan Anarbekov.

Celtic due to this fact have all of it to do once they make the daunting journey east subsequent week to Almaty, not removed from Kazakhstan’s border with China.

“We’re dissatisfied with the consequence and first-half efficiency. We didn’t begin with the intent and mentality we needed to. We had been fairly passive,” mentioned Rodgers, whose group had been booed off at full-time.

“There’s little question we will go there and win. In fact, you need to take a bonus with you, (however) it’s nonetheless very a lot within the steadiness.”

Fenerbahce and Benfica performed out a 0-0 draw within the first leg of their tie in Istanbul.

The Portuguese giants, who misplaced within the final 16 final season to Barcelona, held on within the stress cooker ambiance in Turkey regardless of having midfielder Florentino despatched off within the second half.

Benfica due to this fact have the slight edge going into the return in Lisbon, however Fenerbahce are aiming to succeed in the Champions League correct for the primary time since 2008/09.

Norwegian champions Bodo/Glimt look sure to succeed in the league section of Europe’s elite membership competitors for the primary time after a surprising 5-0 dwelling win over Austria’s Sturm Graz.

Kasper Hogh, Odin Bjortuft and Ulrik Saltnes all scored within the first 25 minutes for final season’s Europa League semi-finalists.

Hakon Evjen made it 4 early within the second half and a William Boving personal aim accomplished the rout.

Swiss champions Basel drew 1-1 at dwelling to FC Copenhagen in heavy rain at St Jakob-Park.

Xherdan Shaqiri’s early penalty put Basel in entrance, however Gabriel Pereira equalised for the Danish facet in first-half stoppage time.

Basel had substitute Jonas Adjetey despatched off late on however held out for a draw as an Andreas Cornelius aim for Copenhagen was dominated out for a marginal offside.

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