Football

Bayern Munich, under the guidance of new manager Vincent Kompany, made a resounding start to their German Cup campaign with a 4-0 victory over second-division Ulm on Friday. The match marked the first competitive fixture of the German football season.Thomas Mueller, the veteran Bayern striker, was the star of the show, scoring twice in the first half. His first goal came in the 12th minute, when he tapped in a pass from Joshua Kimmich. Just three minutes later, Mueller doubled Bayern's lead, tucking in a cross from Serge Gnabry.Bayern continued to dominate the match in the second half, and they extended their lead in the 79th minute. Kingsley Coman, who had come on as a substitute, turned in a pass from new signing Michael Olise. Harry Kane, another substitute, added a fourth goal in injury time, his first German Cup goal.The victory was a welcome boost for Bayern, who failed to win a trophy last season, their first trophyless campaign since 2012. Kompany, who was appointed as manager in the summer, will be hoping to lead Bayern back to success this season.Earlier on Friday, first-division sides Mainz, St Pauli, and Hoffenheim each beat lower league opposition to progress past the first round of the German Cup. Defending German Cup holders Bayer Leverkusen will be in action in the DFL Supercup at home against Stuttgart on Saturday night.

Bayern Munich have bolstered their attacking options with the acquisition of French forward Michael Olise from Crystal Palace. The German giants triggered a €70 million release clause to secure the services of the 22-year-old on a five-year contract.Olise, who has represented France at youth levels, has impressed with his performances for Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Last season, he scored 10 goals and provided six assists in 19 appearances. His arrival is expected to provide Bayern with much-needed firepower after they struggled for goals last season.Bayern sporting director Max Eberl expressed his excitement about the signing, stating that Olise represents "new impetus, new energy, and new ideas" for the team. He added that Olise's arrival will "enrich our game."Olise's signing is Bayern's second major acquisition of the summer, following the arrival of Japanese defender Hiroki Ito from Stuttgart. The German champions are also reportedly close to finalizing a deal for Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha, while Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah and RB Leipzig forward Xavi Simons are also on their shopping list.Bayern finished third in the Bundesliga last season, breaking their streak of 11 consecutive titles. They are determined to regain their dominance and believe that Olise's addition will play a key role in their quest for success.Olise, who was born in London, will represent France at the Paris Olympics in August under coach Thierry Henry. He is expected to make his debut for Bayern in the upcoming season as they aim to reclaim their Bundesliga crown and make a deep run in the Champions League.

Bayern Munich's arduous search for a new head coach has culminated in a surprising appointment: Vincent Kompany. The 38-year-old Belgian, who recently oversaw Burnley's relegation from the Premier League, has signed a three-year deal with the German giants.Bayern's pursuit of a new manager has been a protracted one, with several high-profile candidates rejecting their advances. After failing to secure Xabi Alonso, Julian Nagelsmann, and Ralf Rangnick, the club attempted to retain Thomas Tuchel, who had initially agreed to leave in the summer. However, Tuchel ultimately decided against staying, leaving Bayern with a void to fill.Kompany's appointment is a bold move by Bayern, considering his limited managerial experience. However, the Belgian has impressed with his leadership qualities and commitment to attacking football. He has also received strong endorsements from his former coach, Pep Guardiola, who believes Kompany has the potential to succeed at the highest level.Kompany's task at Bayern will be a challenging one. The club has endured a trophyless season for the first time in 12 years, and there is pressure to restore their dominance both domestically and in Europe. Additionally, Kompany will need to navigate the club's complex backroom politics, which have been a factor in the departure of previous coaches.Despite the challenges, Kompany is confident in his ability to succeed at Bayern. He believes that his attacking philosophy and determination to build a strong team will ultimately lead to success. "I'm looking forward to the challenge of FC Bayern," Kompany said. "It's a great honor to be able to work for this club - FC Bayern is an institution in international football."

Real Madrid's dramatic comeback victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final was a testament to their unwavering spirit and the brilliance of their veteran striker, Joselu.After trailing for much of the match, Real Madrid found themselves on the brink of elimination with just minutes remaining. However, Joselu's twin strikes in the dying moments turned the tide and sent the Santiago Bernabeu into raptures.Joselu's journey to this moment has been a testament to his perseverance and determination. After making his debut for Real Madrid in 2009, he embarked on a nomadic career that took him to several clubs across Europe. Despite his travels, Joselu never lost sight of his dream of making a mark on the biggest stage.On Wednesday night, that dream became a reality. Joselu's first goal came from a fortunate bounce off Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, but his second was a clinical finish that showcased his predatory instincts.Real Madrid's victory was also a reminder of their uncanny ability to find a way to win in the Champions League. Despite being outplayed for much of the match, they managed to pull off another miraculous comeback.Joselu's performance was a perfect embodiment of Real Madrid's fighting spirit. The 34-year-old striker never gave up, and his goals ultimately proved to be the difference.

Real Madrid's magical run in the Champions League continued on Wednesday as they staged another thrilling comeback to defeat Bayern Munich 2-1 and reach the final for the second time in three seasons.After trailing 1-0 for much of the second half, Madrid rallied late with goals from Joselu in the 88th minute and stoppage time. The victory gave Madrid a 4-3 aggregate triumph and set up a final clash against Borussia Dortmund on June 1 in London.Madrid's victory was reminiscent of their remarkable run in 2022, when they pulled off several late comebacks at the Bernabeu. This time, they needed some late drama once again.Bayern had taken the lead through Alphonso Davies in the 68th minute, but Madrid refused to give up. Joselu's first goal came after Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer spilled an easy save, while his second was initially ruled offside but later allowed after video review."It's inexplicable," said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "Fans who push us on, a fantastic stadium, players who never stop believing — it’s simply something magical.”Madrid's victory extended their record to 18 European Cup finals, nine of which have come in the Champions League era. They will be looking to add to their record-breaking tally when they face Dortmund in the final.Bayern, meanwhile, were left to rue their missed opportunities. They had dominated much of the match but failed to capitalize on their chances. Coach Thomas Tuchel described the offside call that ruled out their late equalizer as "disastrous" and "against the rules.""It hurts," said Tuchel. "It’ll take a while to recover, but on the one hand it’s a loss where we left it all out on the pitch."Dortmund, who eliminated Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals, will be looking to upset Madrid in the final and claim their first European Cup since 1997.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti faces a crucial task as he seeks to guide his team past Bayern Munich in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday. Despite earning a 2-2 draw in the first leg in Bavaria, Ancelotti acknowledged that Real Madrid failed to reach their full potential."Bayern are very dangerous, they were at their best and we weren't -- we have time to improve for Wednesday," Ancelotti said after the first leg.Real Madrid secured the La Liga title with a 3-0 win over Cadiz on Saturday, but celebrations were muted as the team's focus remained on the Champions League. The players reported for training on Sunday morning and refrained from joining fans at Plaza Cibeles, where they typically celebrate major titles."We would like to celebrate with all the fans, but they understand because on Wednesday we have a very important challenge," Ancelotti said. "It's contained joy -- we have the most important game of the season coming up."Madrid captain Nacho Fernandez echoed his coach's sentiments. "We're on the verge of reaching another final, we're going to give our all to get there -- that's why we can't celebrate too much," he said.Ancelotti's goal is to secure a fifth La Liga and Champions League double for Real Madrid. The Italian coach has won 12 trophies at the club and is close to matching Miguel Munoz's record of 14 titles, achieved between 1960 and 1972.To reach the final at Wembley, Ancelotti must find a way to neutralize Bayern's dangerous wingers, Leroy Sane and Jamal Musiala, who posed a constant threat in the first leg. Dani Carvajal will return from suspension at right-back to try and contain Musiala, while Jude Bellingham and others may be tasked with tracking back to help Ferland Mendy stop Sane."It was important when we began to defend with collective commitment," Ancelotti said, emphasizing the team's improved defensive performance this season. "The big effort was made by the forwards, rather than the defenders -- injuries helped us understand that it wasn't about individuals but a team effort."Ancelotti could also introduce Eduardo Camavinga to add energy and disrupt Bayern's build-up play. If his tactical adjustments fail, Madrid can always rely on the "magic" of the Santiago Bernabeu. The stadium has witnessed remarkable comebacks in the past, including Real Madrid's run to the 2022 Champions League final."It's time to have a magical night at the Bernabeu," Vinicius said after the Bayern draw, invoking the stadium's legendary atmosphere.

Real Madrid and Bayern Munich played out a thrilling 2-2 draw in the first leg of their Champions League semifinal on Tuesday. Vinícius Júnior was the star for Madrid, scoring twice to cancel out goals from Leroy Sané and Harry Kane.Bayern dominated the opening stages, but Madrid took the lead against the run of play when Vinícius Júnior raced onto a through ball from Toni Kroos and slotted past Manuel Neuer. Bayern equalized in the second half through Sané, but Kane put the hosts ahead from the penalty spot just four minutes later.Madrid were awarded a penalty of their own late on when Kim Min-jae brought down Rodrygo, and Vinícius Júnior made no mistake from the spot. The result leaves the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg in Madrid on May 8.Vinícius Júnior's performance was particularly impressive. The Brazilian forward was a constant threat to the Bayern defense, and his two goals were crucial in keeping Madrid in the tie.Toni Kroos also played a key role for Madrid. The German midfielder returned to his former club and put in a typically composed performance, dictating the tempo of the game and creating chances for his teammates.Bayern will be disappointed not to have won the first leg at home, but they will still be confident of reaching the final. The German champions have a strong record at the Allianz Arena, and they will be looking to use their home advantage to their advantage in the second leg.

Kyle Walker, the stalwart defender of Manchester City, has emerged as a coveted target for Bayern Munich. The German giants are reportedly keen on acquiring Walker's services in the upcoming summer transfer window.Walker has been a cornerstone of City's success in recent years, forming a formidable partnership with Rodri in the heart of the defense. Despite the spotlight often shining on attacking stars like Erling Haaland and Phil Foden, Walker's contributions have been equally crucial.Bayern's interest in Walker stems from their belief that he would bolster their defense, which has struggled at times this season. Despite boasting the likes of Harry Kane, Bayern have failed to dominate the Bundesliga and are looking to strengthen their squad for a potential Champions League triumph.This is not the first time Bayern have attempted to lure Walker to Munich. They previously made an unsuccessful bid, but Walker ultimately signed a three-year extension with City. However, according to Spanish publication Nacional, Bayern have now "convinced" Walker to make the move to Germany.For Manchester City, Walker's potential departure would be a significant blow. He has been an integral part of Pep Guardiola's team, and replacing him would be a major challenge. Guardiola's immediate focus, however, is on securing the Premier League title ahead of Arsenal.City's title hopes received a boost with a 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, but tougher tests lie ahead, including a clash with Tottenham Hotspur. Bayern's pursuit of Walker adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming transfer window, as City look to retain their star defender while Bayern seek to bolster their squad for future success.

Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, two of England's most promising footballers, will face off in a highly anticipated Champions League semi-final first leg on Tuesday. The match pits Bayern Munich, Kane's current club, against Real Madrid, where Bellingham has established himself as a global superstar.Kane, 30, has been a beacon of consistency for Bayern this season, scoring 42 goals in all competitions. Despite Bayern's struggles in the Bundesliga, Kane's individual brilliance has kept them in contention for the Champions League.Bellingham, on the other hand, has emerged as one of the world's best midfielders at just 19 years old. His performances for Real Madrid have been instrumental in their pursuit of the La Liga title.The two England internationals have never faced each other before, but they have played alongside each other 22 times for the Three Lions. They have developed a strong on-field partnership, with Bellingham providing three assists for Kane at international level.Kane is eager to win his first major trophy with Bayern, while Bellingham is looking to add to his growing collection of silverware with Real Madrid. Both players will be determined to lead their teams to victory in the first leg of this highly anticipated semi-final.The match will also have implications for the England national team. Kane and Bellingham are expected to play key roles for the Three Lions at Euro 2024, which will be held in Munich. A strong performance in the Champions League semi-final could boost their confidence and momentum heading into the tournament.