Football

Harry Kane's heroics propelled Bayern Munich to a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Wolfsburg in Vincent Kompany's Bundesliga debut as manager.Bayern took an early lead through Jamal Musiala, but Wolfsburg stunned the visitors with two goals from Lovro Majer in the second half. The Croatian midfielder capitalized on defensive errors to put Wolfsburg in front.However, Kane's presence proved pivotal for Bayern. His header forced an own goal from Wolfsburg's Jakub Kaminski, leveling the score. The England captain then set up Serge Gnabry for the winning goal in the 82nd minute.Despite the victory, Bayern's performance was far from perfect. "We got punished a little in the second half," Kane admitted. "We're still implementing the coach's ideas."Joshua Kimmich echoed Kane's sentiments, acknowledging that Bayern "lost control of the game due to many mistakes." However, he praised the team's resilience in coming back from behind.Wolfsburg's resurgence in the second half was impressive, but they were unable to hold on to their lead. The defeat extended their winless streak against Bayern to 21 matches.In other Bundesliga action, promoted St Pauli hosted Heidenheim in the final match of the round.

Bayern Munich's legendary goalkeeper, Manuel Neuer, has expressed his intention to continue playing beyond the current season, despite his recent retirement from international football. Neuer's contract with Bayern expires at the end of the campaign, but he remains committed to the club and is eager to extend his stay.In an interview with German sports magazine Kicker, Neuer stated, "I'm not going into this season with the idea of saying goodbye afterwards... If we successfully complete the season with the new coaching team and with new momentum, that means I'll be having fun. And if it's fun, I'll definitely carry on."The 38-year-old goalkeeper announced his retirement from the German national team earlier this week, citing his desire to focus on his club career. Neuer believes he can still perform at the highest level and is determined to help Bayern achieve success in the upcoming season."Of course there's a bit of sadness with the decision, but at the same time there's a lot of relief," said Neuer, who won the 2014 World Cup with Germany.Discussions regarding a contract extension with Bayern are yet to take place, but Neuer is confident that an agreement will be reached in due time. "The time will come," he said.Alexander Nuebel, who is currently on loan at Stuttgart, is seen as the potential successor to Neuer at Bayern. However, Neuer remains the undisputed number one goalkeeper for the Bavarian giants and is determined to maintain his position.Neuer joined Bayern from Schalke in 2011 and has since become one of the most successful goalkeepers in the club's history. He has won 11 Bundesliga titles, two Champions League titles, and numerous other trophies with Bayern.The Allianz Arena, Bayern's home stadium, will host the final of this season's Champions League, providing Neuer with an opportunity to add another major trophy to his impressive collection.Neuer's decision to continue playing beyond this season is a testament to his unwavering passion for the game and his commitment to Bayern Munich. The German goalkeeper remains one of the best in the world and will be a key figure for Bayern in their pursuit of domestic and European glory.

Vincent Kompany, the newly appointed Bayern Munich coach, exudes confidence ahead of his Bundesliga debut against Wolfsburg on Sunday. Despite overseeing Burnley's relegation from the Premier League last season, the 38-year-old Belgian has been entrusted with the daunting task of restoring Bayern's dominance in German football.Bayern's trophyless campaign last season, their first in 11 years, has cast a shadow over the club. Bayer Leverkusen's impressive domestic double has raised the stakes for Kompany, who is determined to prove his worth.Kompany, who previously coached Anderlecht and guided them to the 2022 Belgian Cup final, expressed satisfaction with Bayern's preparations for the season opener. "I'm not nervous, but it's a big challenge," he said. "We've prepared well, and now it's up to the players."Kompany acknowledged the formidable challenge posed by Leverkusen, who opened their campaign with a victory on Friday. "They were phenomenal last season," he said. "We'll need around 90 points for the title again, so we need maximum performance from everyone."The Belgian coach hinted at the potential debuts of Michael Olise and Joao Palhinha, who joined Bayern from Crystal Palace and Fulham, respectively. "There's a good chance they'll play a lot this season," he said.Wolfsburg, Bayern's opponents on Sunday, have not defeated the Bavarian giants in 20 matches dating back to 2015. Kompany is aware of the challenge but remains optimistic. "We're excited and ready to start the season," he said.

Reigning Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen kicked off their title defense with a thrilling 3-2 victory over Borussia Moenchengladbach in a dramatic season opener. The match was filled with twists and turns, with Leverkusen ultimately snatching the win in the 11th minute of stoppage time.Leverkusen dominated the first half, with Granit Xhaka opening the scoring with a stunning long-range effort in the 13th minute. Florian Wirtz doubled their lead in the 38th minute, giving Xabi Alonso's side a comfortable advantage at the break.However, Gladbach fought back in the second half. Nico Elvedi pulled one back in the 59th minute, and newcomer Tim Kleindienst equalized with just five minutes remaining. The hosts looked set to secure a point, but a late penalty awarded to Leverkusen changed the course of the game.Wirtz stepped up to take the spot-kick, but his initial effort was saved by Jonas Omlin. However, the Germany international was quick to react and hammered the rebound into the net, securing a dramatic victory for Leverkusen.The win was a testament to Leverkusen's resilience and determination. Despite conceding two goals in the second half, they refused to give up and ultimately found a way to win. Xhaka praised his team's "pure mentality" after the match, highlighting their ability to bounce back from setbacks.Leverkusen's victory was also notable for being the latest goal in Bundesliga history. Wirtz's strike came in the 10th minute of stoppage time, surpassing the previous record set by Bayern Munich in 2014.The result leaves Leverkusen top of the Bundesliga standings after the first round of matches. Gladbach, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have lost after fighting back from two goals down, but they will take heart from their second-half performance.

Bayer Leverkusen's remarkable Bundesliga and cup double last season has not swayed coach Xabi Alonso's belief that Bayern Munich remain the title favorites this season."For me, the favorites are Bayern, that's clear," Alonso declared at a press conference ahead of Leverkusen's Bundesliga season opener at Borussia Moenchengladbach on Friday. "Our goal is to stay in the top four. That's realistic -- we have a good squad."Leverkusen's historic triumph last season, which ended Bayern's 11-year reign in Germany, was a testament to their resilience and tactical acumen. However, Alonso is keen to emphasize that past achievements are no guarantee of future success."Last year was really nice... but we're starting from scratch again," he said. "We need to earn everything again. We need to win our points and for that we need good performances."Bayern, under new coach Vincent Kompany, have bolstered their squad with several high-profile signings, including Michael Olise, Joao Palhinha, and Hiroki Ito. Leverkusen, on the other hand, have maintained a relatively stable roster, with the exception of the departure of Moussa Diaby to Manchester United.Despite their impressive unbeaten run in Germany since May 2023, Alonso is wary of the challenges that lie ahead. "We know every game will be difficult -- and that will be the case against Gladbach," he said.Leverkusen's title-winning campaign was built on a solid defense and a potent attack led by Patrik Schick and Florian Wirtz. However, they will face a stern test against a Gladbach side that has strengthened its squad with the addition of Marcus Thuram from Borussia Monchengladbach.Alonso will be without Argentina midfielder Exequiel Palacios for the trip to Gladbach due to a knee injury. However, the rest of his squad is available for selection as Leverkusen aim to start the new season with a positive result.

The upcoming 2024-25 Bundesliga season promises to be an exciting one, with several new faces set to make their mark on the German top flight. Here's a closer look at five players to watch:Michael Olise (Bayern Munich)Bayern Munich's most expensive signing this summer, Olise is a speedy winger with a knack for scoring goals. The 22-year-old impressed at Crystal Palace last season, contributing 10 goals and 6 assists in just 19 Premier League appearances. His arrival adds depth and attacking threat to Bayern's already formidable squad.Pascal Gross (Borussia Dortmund)Despite his age, Gross brings experience and creativity to Dortmund's midfield. The 33-year-old German international has spent the last seven years at Brighton, where he was twice named the club's player of the season. His ability to create chances and score goals could be crucial for Dortmund's title aspirations.Aleix Garcia (Bayer Leverkusen)Garcia was a key figure in Girona's surprise third-place finish in La Liga last season. The 27-year-old Spanish midfielder provides Leverkusen with additional midfield security and creativity. His ability to control the tempo of the game and contribute defensively will be invaluable to coach Xabi Alonso.Deniz Undav (Stuttgart)Undav was one of the standout performers in Stuttgart's impressive second-place finish last season. The German forward scored 13 goals in 31 Bundesliga appearances, helping the club secure a return to the Champions League. With several key players departing, Undav will be even more crucial to Stuttgart's success this season.Antonio Nusa (RB Leipzig)Leipzig have a reputation for developing young talent, and Nusa is the latest addition to their impressive roster. The 19-year-old Norwegian winger arrived from Club Brugge for a reported fee of 22 million euros. He scored on his debut for Leipzig and is expected to play a significant role in replacing Dani Olmo, who departed for Barcelona.These five new faces are just a few of the players to watch in the upcoming Bundesliga season. With a mix of experience, talent, and potential, they are sure to make an impact on the German top flight.

Bayer Leverkusen's talismanic midfielder, Granit Xhaka, has set his sights on another Bundesliga title challenge in the upcoming season, following the club's historic undefeated triumph last year.Xhaka, who joined Leverkusen from Arsenal at the start of last season, played a pivotal role in the club's remarkable campaign. Despite being a rookie coach, Xabi Alonso led Leverkusen to an unprecedented Bundesliga title, becoming the first German team to achieve the feat without a single defeat. They also lifted the German Cup, losing only one of their 53 matches in all competitions.Speaking to AFP at the club's pre-season training camp, Xhaka expressed his belief that last season was just the beginning. "We know people are hoping to beat us, they will try and they will do everything," he said. "But we still have the hunger to be where we were last season."Xhaka's resurgence at Leverkusen has been remarkable, especially considering the criticism he faced during his time at Arsenal. He believes that the criticism has been instrumental in his growth as a player. "I'm a fan of criticism, because criticism makes you stronger," he said. "I don't drop my head, but I look at what they are criticizing, and maybe I need to do something more, or change some things."Xhaka's leadership qualities have also been evident at Leverkusen, where he has quickly become Alonso's on-field voice. He is eager to guide the club's younger players, many of whom are yet to experience the Champions League. "Maybe they're nervous. You can go to them, talk to them and explain it to them, but this feeling, you need to feel it," he said. "You need to see the music, the atmosphere (and) what it is in these games."With his contract at Leverkusen set to expire in four years, Xhaka is already looking ahead to the future. He has started his FA coaching badges and is also an assistant coach at fifth-tier Union Nettetal. "The traineeship helped me a lot, because a coach maybe thinks more far ahead than a player (does)," he said.Xhaka's unwavering belief in himself and his team is a testament to his determination to succeed. As Leverkusen embark on a new season, they will undoubtedly look to Xhaka for inspiration and guidance as they aim to defend their Bundesliga title and make a mark in the Champions League.

The conclusion of the Olympics marks the commencement of the highly anticipated football league season. La Liga kicked off on Thursday, followed by the Premier League and Ligue 1 on Friday, Serie A on Saturday, and Bundesliga the following weekend. These five leagues represent the pinnacle of global football, boasting the most competitive and widely watched matches.The Premier League has consistently dominated international competitions, with 136 players representing the league in the last World Cup, 96 in Euro 2024, and 41 in the Copa America. Opta Power Rankings places the Premier League at the top of its list of the world's best 30 leagues.Manchester City's dominance in the Premier League has raised concerns about the league's competitiveness. However, the club's narrow victories in recent seasons suggest that the title race remains unpredictable. City's manager, Pep Guardiola, remains confident in his team's ability to break records and maintain their winning streak.Arsenal, who finished second last season, has strengthened its defense and hopes to end its 21-year title drought. Liverpool, under new manager Arne Slot, faces the challenge of replacing Jürgen Klopp's legacy. The club has retained its core players and hopes to regain its former glory.Chelsea, under the guidance of Enzo Maresca, aims to challenge for the championship once again. The club has invested heavily in its squad but may need to sell players to balance its books. Manchester United, under Erik ten Hag, has signed several players from the manager's former club, Ajax. Despite a disappointing eighth-place finish last season, the club remains optimistic about its prospects.Aston Villa serves as an inspiration for Manchester United, having risen from 17th place in 2019-20 to a top-10 finish last season. Manager Unai Emery has signed key players and hopes to lead the club back to European competition.

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.