Football

Harry Kane's brace and assist propelled Bayern Munich to a commanding 3-0 victory over Union Berlin, extending their lead atop the Bundesliga standings to three points. The England captain opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Michael Olise was fouled in the box. Before halftime, Kane turned provider, setting up Kingsley Coman for a thunderous strike. Kane completed his brace in the second half, capitalizing on a loose ball ahead of Jamal Musiala.Despite recent setbacks in the Champions League, Bayern have maintained their dominance domestically, scoring 16 goals without conceding in their last four Bundesliga matches. Kane expressed confidence in his team's abilities, stating, "We've not started the Champions League well, so the pressure is on in every Champions League game now. I think if we use the confidence that we've played the last few games with, we can cause any team a lot of problems."In other Bundesliga action, Borussia Dortmund eased the pressure on coach Nuri Sahin with a 2-1 home win over RB Leipzig. Benjamin Sesko gave Leipzig the early lead, but Maximilian Beier and Serhou Guirassy scored to secure the victory for Dortmund.Eintracht Frankfurt continued their impressive form with a 7-2 thrashing of Bochum. Omar Marmoush, who now trails Kane by one goal in the scoring charts, contributed a goal and two assists. Hugo Ekitike scored a brace, while Ansgar Knauff, Nathaniel Brown, Mahmoud Dahoud, and Can Uzun also found the net.Promoted sides St Pauli and Holstein Kiel celebrated victories, boosting their hopes of avoiding relegation. Kiel earned their first Bundesliga win with a 1-0 home triumph over Heidenheim, while St Pauli defeated Hoffenheim 2-0. Bochum remain rooted to the bottom of the table with just one point from nine games.

Borussia Dortmund's struggles continued on Tuesday as they were eliminated from the German Cup in the second round, losing 1-0 to Wolfsburg in extra time. The defeat adds to the pressure on new coach Nuri Sahin, whose team has now lost five consecutive away matches in all competitions.Dortmund had the better of the opening half, with Maximilian Beier hitting the post with just the goalkeeper to beat. However, they lacked fluency in attack and failed to break through, and the match looked set for penalties before Jonas Wind tapped in from close range in the 117th minute.The defeat leaves Dortmund seven points off top spot in the Bundesliga after just eight games, and Sahin is under increasing pressure to turn things around. "Extremely bitter to concede a goal like that after 120 minutes. It's tough," said Dortmund's Pascal Gross. "We've got injury problems, but that's no excuse -- we had chances to score."In other German Cup action, Stuttgart won 2-1 at home to eliminate last year's finalists Kaiserslautern, while Bayer Leverkusen beat Elversberg 3-0 thanks to a brace from Patrik Schick. RB Leipzig beat St Pauli 4-2 at home, with Yussuf Poulsen scoring a brace, and Augsburg beat Schalke 3-0.

Real Madrid staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Borussia Dortmund 5-2 in the Champions League on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, with Vinicius Junior scoring a hat-trick. Aston Villa maintained their perfect record to go top of the table.Vinicius struck three times in the second half as Madrid bounced back from two goals down to inflict further anguish on Dortmund, in a repeat of last season's final, which Real Madrid won 2-0.First-half goals in quick succession by Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens had given Dortmund a two-goal lead at half-time. "Things were very quiet when we got to the dressing room 2-0 down at halftime," Vinicius (24) told Movistar. "But we listened to the boss (coach Carlo Ancelotti) and agreed one simple thing: if we can score first then we'll fight back and win once again."The 15-times champions duly struck back early in the second period via Antonio Rudiger and Vinicius, before Lucas Vazquez sent Real ahead and the Brazilian netted two more inside the final 10 minutes. After the surprise defeat at Lille last time out, Madrid's hunt for a record-extending 16th Champions League crown is back on track as they move to ninth in the standings, on six points.Malen swept the Germans into the lead on the half-hour following a deft pass from Serhou Guirassy that split open the defence. Madrid defender Eder Militao was then left beating the turf in frustration four minutes later when Gittens flew in at the back post to double Dortmund's lead.Rudiger halved the deficit with a powerful header from a Kylian Mbappe cross on 60 minutes. Vinicius equalised two minutes later by tucking away a stray ball, the goal being awarded by VAR after Mbappe was shown to have been onside in the build-up.A rare Dortmund foray forward resulted in a fine Thibaut Courtois save, with the holders then racing straight down the other end and Vazquez lashing home on 83 minutes. Vinicius then completed his hat-trick in the 86th and 93rd minutes, his second coming after a lung-busting sprint down the line from inside his own half.Arsenal emerged 1-0 winners at home to Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk thanks to an own-goal from the visitors' goalkeeper. Dmytro Riznyk could only grasp at thin air after Gabriel Martinelli had cut in from the left and smacked the ball against the near post before it rebounded back off the goalie and over the line. Leandro Trossard missed a penalty near the end, but Arsenal had already done enough to secure their second win of the tournament.Table-topping Villa Fellow Premier League side Aston Villa are enjoying an excellent return to European football's top table after 41 years as they won their third match in three Champions League outings this term with a 2-0 victory against Bologna. "We are playing seriously, we are playing focussed, responsible and the team is progressing and mature in everything," manager Unai Emery told TNT Sports. John McGinn opened the scoring at Villa Park 10 minutes after the interval and Jhon Duran wrapped up the points in the 64th minute, sending Emery's side to the top of the league phase table on nine points with zero goals conceded.Stuttgart sank Juventus 1-0 in Turin, thanks to a stoppage-time winner by El Bilal Toure. The Italians were reduced to 10 men when Danilo picked up a second yellow while conceding a penalty in the 84th minute. Mattia Perin looked to have saved his side when he stopped the resulting spot-kick from Enzo Millot, but Toure slammed home in the 92nd minute for Stuttgart.PSV Eindhoven surprised Paris Saint-Germain with a Noa Lang goal against the run of play in the first period, before Achraf Hakimi hit back on 55 minutes to ensure the points were shared. AC Milan beat 10-men Club Brugge at the San Siro with Christian Pulisic and a Tijjani Reijnders brace giving the Italians a 3-1 victory. Monaco won 5-1 at home to Red Star Belgrade, while Sporting Lisbon beat Sturm Graz 2-0 in Austria. Last season's Spanish league surprise-packages Girona picked up their first points in the competition with a 2-0 win at home to Slovan Bratislava.On Wednesday (October 23, 2024), five-time winners Barcelona host six-time champions Bayern Munich and Liverpool visit RB Leipzig.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has emphasized the importance of Kylian Mbappe's goal-scoring prowess over his defensive contributions. The Spanish giants have struggled to find their rhythm this season, and Ancelotti believes Mbappe's primary focus should be on finding the back of the net."I prefer that he scores goals than he presses," Ancelotti stated. "The central striker position in our team has not changed. I ask him the same I asked of Karim (Benzema)."Mbappe has scored eight goals in 12 appearances for Madrid this season, but his output has been overshadowed by Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, who has netted 14 times in 12 games. The French forward has also faced criticism for his absence from France's recent Nations League matches due to a thigh injury.Ancelotti's comments come amid concerns about Mbappe's impact on the team's balance. The arrival of the former Paris Saint-Germain star has pushed Jude Bellingham into a more defensive role, and the English midfielder has yet to score this season."We're satisfied with his work... because he works a lot on the pitch," Ancelotti said of Bellingham. "The truth is he hasn't scored the goals he did last year, but the surprise isn't this year, it's last year."Ancelotti acknowledged Madrid's attacking prowess, which includes Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes, and expressed his preference for end-to-end matches. "I want (rock and roll football) because I have players with these characteristics," he said.Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin emphasized the need for a strong mentality and collective effort to overcome Madrid's attacking threats. "It's only possible (to succeed) as a collective, not just against these two, but against all of Real's players," he said.Dortmund midfielder Julian Brandt stressed the importance of closing down Madrid players quickly. "It's about working even more defensively... you probably shouldn't give them any breathing room to get close to our goal," he said.

Jude Bellingham's second season at Real Madrid has been a tale of contrasts. After a stellar debut campaign marked by goals and glory, the England international has faced challenges in his sophomore year.Bellingham's first season in Madrid was a whirlwind. Thrust into the attack after Karim Benzema's departure, he scored 10 goals in his first 10 games. His performances earned him the admiration of fans and critics alike.However, this season has been different. Bellingham has been tasked with more defensive responsibility, a role that has limited his attacking output. He has yet to score in nine games across all competitions.Bellingham's frustration was evident during Madrid's recent win over Celta Vigo. He appeared furious with Vinicius Junior for not passing him the ball when he was well-placed to score.Manager Carlo Ancelotti defended Bellingham, saying that his reaction showed "balls and character." However, he acknowledged that Bellingham's role has changed and that he should be appreciated for his contributions to the team.Bellingham's struggles have coincided with Madrid's inconsistent form. The team has struggled to find the right balance in midfield, with Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo Goes all vying for attacking roles.Despite his challenges, Bellingham remains a key player for Madrid. His work rate, passing ability, and defensive awareness make him a valuable asset to the team.As Madrid prepares for crucial matches against Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, Bellingham will be determined to make a significant contribution. Whether he scores or not, his presence on the pitch will be vital for the team's success.

Borussia Dortmund fans are reeling from the news that former coach Jurgen Klopp will join Red Bull as head of football operations. Klopp, who led Dortmund to two Bundesliga titles and a German Cup during his seven-year tenure, has been a beloved figure in the city. However, his decision to join Red Bull, a company that owns several football clubs including Dortmund's rival RB Leipzig, has sparked outrage among fans.The Dortmund fanzine Schwatzgelb has accused Klopp of "tearing down" his reputation with his move to Red Bull. The magazine criticized Klopp's self-proclaimed status as "the normal one," comparing him to Jose Mourinho's infamous declaration of being "a special one." Schwatzgelb also accused Klopp of giving a "well-mannered middle finger" to Dortmund fans.Klopp's decision has also drawn criticism from other quarters. Some fans believe that RB Leipzig, founded in 2009, violates Germany's 50+1 rule, which requires member control of clubs. Others have criticized Red Bull's multi-club ownership model.Despite the backlash, Klopp's decision did not come as a complete surprise to Dortmund managing director Hans-Joachim Watzke. Watzke said that he and Klopp had discussed the move personally. Klopp has previously defended the Red Bull model, calling it a "football idea" rather than a "money idea."Former Manchester United coach Ralf Rangnick, who held the same position Klopp will take over in January, said he is excited to see what Klopp can contribute to Red Bull. However, it remains to be seen how Klopp's move will be received by the wider football community.

Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga title defense has hit another roadblock after they squandered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Holstein Kiel on Saturday. The result leaves Xabi Alonso's side with 11 points from six matches, allowing Bayern Munich to extend their lead at the summit when they face Eintracht Frankfurt on Sunday.Leverkusen made a blistering start at the BayArena, with Victor Boniface opening the scoring after just four minutes. Exequiel Palacios' incisive run created the opportunity, and the Argentinian was also involved in the second goal four minutes later, setting up Jonas Hofmann for a composed finish.However, Kiel refused to be overawed and pulled a goal back in first-half stoppage time. Max Geschwill forced the ball into the net with his shoulder, and the goal was allowed to stand after a VAR check.Leverkusen's defensive frailties were exposed again in the second half as Jann-Fiete Arp equalized from the penalty spot in the 69th minute. The hosts pushed for a winner but were unable to find a breakthrough.In the capital, Union Berlin stunned Borussia Dortmund with a 2-0 halftime lead. Kevin Vogt converted a penalty, and Yorbe Vertessen added a second. Dortmund rallied in the second half, with Julian Ryerson pulling one back in the 62nd minute. However, it was not enough to prevent a 2-1 defeat.Elsewhere, Wolfsburg earned a crucial 3-1 victory away to Bochum to climb out of the relegation zone. Werder Bremen suffered a 1-0 home loss to Freiburg, while Augsburg defeated Borussia Moenchengladbach 2-1 in a mid-table clash on Friday.

In a thrilling Bundesliga encounter, Bayer Leverkusen emerged victorious with a dramatic 4-3 win over Wolfsburg, while Borussia Dortmund suffered a humiliating 5-1 defeat at Stuttgart.Leverkusen and Wolfsburg traded blows throughout the match, with the score locked at 3-3 from the 48th minute. However, Wolfsburg's Yannick Gerhardt was sent off in the dying stages, leaving his team vulnerable. Victor Boniface, who had come on as a substitute, capitalized on the opportunity, scoring a stoppage-time winner to secure a crucial victory for Leverkusen.Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka expressed dissatisfaction with the performance, calling it "a giant wake-up call." He emphasized the need for improvement in defense, stating, "We can't keep going with performances like that. We can't defend so naively."Despite the win, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso made significant changes to the lineup that had thrashed Feyenoord in the Champions League. Nordi Mukiele, on loan from PSG, had a nightmare debut, scoring an own goal in the fifth minute. Florian Wirtz equalized for Leverkusen, but Wolfsburg's Sebastiaan Bornauw and Mattias Svanberg put the visitors back in the lead. Piero Hincapie leveled the score again for Leverkusen on 48 minutes.In the late game, RB Leipzig were held to a 0-0 draw at promoted St Pauli. Leipzig's goalkeeper, Peter Gulacsi, kept St Pauli at bay in the first half, but the hosts held on for a point in the second half.Meanwhile, Stuttgart soared to a dominant 5-1 victory over Dortmund. Deniz Undav scored a brace, while Ermedin Demirovic, Enzo Millot, and El Bilal Toure also found the net. Dortmund, who had raided Stuttgart for players in the summer, were outclassed and disappointed.Dortmund coach Nuri Sahin admitted that Stuttgart's win was "absolutely deserved" and vowed to improve their performance in their next match.

Maximilian Beier, the German international striker, has joined Borussia Dortmund on a five-year contract. The 21-year-old arrives from Hoffenheim, where he spent the past six years after coming through the Energie Cottbus youth system.Beier's move to Dortmund is a significant step in his career. He has been one of the most promising young strikers in the Bundesliga, scoring 16 goals in 33 games in his first full season. He also received his first senior international call-up in March and was part of Julian Nagelsmann's Germany squad for the European Championship.Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said Beier was the club's "top target" after Niclas Fuellkrug's departure for West Ham. "He's very self-assured on the pitch despite his young age, and he has impressive pace, he never stops running and he poses a real goal threat," said Kehl."On top of that, he has the versatility to play in several positions and in various systems. There's scope for him to develop further, and we'll help him become an even better player. He's a down-to-earth person who's willing to learn, and his hard work and commitment make him the perfect fit for BVB."Beier is excited about the opportunity to join Dortmund. "I'm really excited to take this next major step in my career," he said. "Borussia Dortmund is a great club with a rich history and a passionate fan base. I'm looking forward to playing in front of the Yellow Wall and helping the team achieve success."Beier's arrival is a boost for Dortmund, who are looking to challenge for the Bundesliga title this season. The club has already signed Niklas Sule from Bayern Munich and Karim Adeyemi from RB Salzburg this summer.