Harry Redknapp calls new England manager Thomas Tuchel a ‘German spy’
Harry Redknapp joked that new England manager Thomas Tuchel is a “German spy” at a recent charity event.
Bayern Munich Sport News
Bayern fume over Davies' injury on international duty with Canada
MUNICH, Germany : Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich demanded an explanation from Canada team officials on Friday after defender Alphonso Davies suffered a ligament tear on international duty that has put him out of the German club's crucial season finale.
Barca bolster Liga title bid by winning match they didn’t want to play
BARCELONA: Barcelona swept to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Osasuna to move three points clear at the top of La Liga despite their discontent at having to play their match on Thursday. The Catalans’ appeal against the rescheduling of this game was rejected but Hansi Flick’s side, unbeaten in 19 matches across all competitions, still made light work of Osasuna, 14th. Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo netted in the first half with Robert Lewandowski on target after the break. Barca were without key winger Raphinha as he played for Brazil on Wednesday in South America in World Cup qualifying but cruised at the Olympic stadium regardless. Flick was happy with the victory but said an injury to Olmo meant it came at a cost. “We have three points more but we paid a really high price with the injury of Dani,” Flick told reporters. “We don’t know how long he will be out but if it’s two weeks, he’ll miss a lot of games and if it’s three weeks even more.” The match was originally due to be played on March 8 but was postponed after a Barcelona club doctor died. Some players, including France’s Jules Kounde, played 120 minutes on Sunday for their countries before returning for the game. “It’s a lack of respect to the club to select this date,” Kounde told DAZN. “We’re not machines and to play our game and give the fans what we want, we need rest.” Flick put veteran striker Lewandowski on the bench, deploying Torres in his place to excellent effect. “Every game is a final, so today’s was a final, it was important for us,” Torres told DAZN. Barcelona controlled the game from the start, taking the lead through Torres after 11 minutes. Frenkie de Jong led the way as Barcelona moved the ball around smartly, with Alejandro Balde receiving it
Chelsea to face Barcelona in Women’s Champions League semis after Man City fightback
LONDON: Chelsea’s women overturned a two-goal first leg deficit to beat Manchester City 3-0 and set up a Champions League semifinal meeting with holders Barcelona on Thursday. Earlier, Barca mauled Wolfsburg 6-1 in Catalonia to complete a 10-2 aggregate thrashing. In the final of four meetings between City and Chelsea in the past 12 days, the English champions wasted little time in gaining revenge for a rare defeat in last week’s first leg. The Blues had turned the tie around before half-time as Sandy Baltimore blasted into the top corner before Nathalie Bjorn headed in from a corner to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate. Lauren James then pounced on a sloppy City pass to tee up Mayra Ramirez for the winning goal. Chelsea remain on course for a quadruple in Sonia Bompastor’s first season in charge. They beat City 2-1 in the League Cup final earlier this month to begin the quartet of meetings, are into the semifinals of the FA Cup and have an eight-point lead at the top of the Women’s Super League. However, they face the most daunting challenge in women’s football next month in trying to dethrone Barcelona. Chelsea’s quest to win the Champions League for the first time has come undone against the Spanish champions in three of the past four seasons. Pere Romeu’s side have gone on to win the tournament on all three occasions and set a record by reaching a seventh consecutive semifinal. After a shock first ever women’s El Clasico defeat by Real Madrid on Sunday, Barca showed no mercy against the side they beat to win the 2023 final. Salma Paralluelo’s quickfire double built on Barca’s 4-1 first leg lead before Esmee Brugts smashed home the third from outside the box. Substitute Claudia Pina continued the rout after the hour
Sabalenka blasts past Paolini into Miami final
MIAMI GARDENS: World number one Aryna Sabalenka blasted her way into the final of the Miami Open with a convincing 6-2 6-2 demolition of Italy’s Jasmine Paolini. Sabalenka needed just 71 minutes to wrap-up her win against the sixth seed and she will now face the winner of Thursday’s other semifinal between American Jessica Pegula and wildcard Alexandra Eala. The win earns the Belarusian, who was beaten in the Indian Wells final earlier this month by Mirra Andreeva, a place in the Miami final for the first time in her career. “I’m super happy with the level I played today. Of course super happy to be in my first Miami Open final,” said Sabalenka. Sabalenka was never behind against Paolini, and the match was only tied twice — at 1-1 in each set.
Kenya probes goalkeeper match-fixing allegation
NAIROBI: Kenya opened a match-fixing investigation Thursday following allegations that a national team goalkeeper helped rig an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed it was aware of videos circulating online involving goalkeeper Patrick Matasi which raised concern about the possibility of match manipulation. “FKF upholds the integrity of football and has launched an official investigation, in collaboration with FIFA, CAF, and other relevant authorities,” the Kenya football board said in a statement. “We reaffirm our zero-tolerance policy on match manipulation and are committed to safeguarding the credibility of our competition.”
Leverkusen throw down gauntlet to Bayern in title tussle
Defending champions Leverkusen host 16th-placed Bochum on FridayBayern host a St. Pauli side who are one spot but five points above Bochum BERLIN: With eight games remaining in the Bundesliga season, Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso promised his side would “fight until the end” in their chase of league leaders Bayern Munich.Defending champions Leverkusen host 16th-placed Bochum on Friday and will draw to within three points of Bayern if they win.A day later, Bayern host a St.
Leverkusen ready to pile pressure on league leaders Bayern, says Alonso
BERLIN : Reigning champions Bayer Leverkusen will put as much pressure as they can on league leaders Bayern Munich as they battle to keep their title hopes alive, coach Xabi Alonso said ahead of Friday's home game against strugglers VfL Bochum.