Football

Bayer Leverkusen's title defense has hit a roadblock after they dropped more points in a 2-2 draw at Werder Bremen on Saturday. Despite taking the lead twice, Leverkusen was unable to hold on to their advantage, conceding an equalizer in the 90th minute.Last season, Leverkusen's remarkable unbeaten run to the Bundesliga title saw them drop only 12 points. However, under new coach Xabi Alonso, they have already lost nine points in just eight games. Despite the setbacks, Alonso remains optimistic about his team's chances."Now in October, it's too early," Alonso said. "We want to be more consistent and when we get to that level, we will pick up more points. Anything can happen in the table... there's too many matches to come."While Leverkusen's attacking prowess remains evident, their defense has been a cause for concern. They have conceded 15 goals in eight games, compared to just 24 in 34 games last season. Alonso acknowledged the need for improvement."We want the feeling that we can control the game, that we don't give away chances to the opponent," Alonso said. "We didn't do that well today. We gave Bremen the chances and made it too easy -- it's not good and I'm of course not satisfied."Midfielder Granit Xhaka echoed Alonso's sentiments, expressing frustration at Leverkusen's inability to close out the match."If you don't kill the game, you concede -- it's very simple in football," Xhaka said. "It should not be possible that we go in front twice and still don't win the game. It's not enough like this -- we need to see the reality at the moment."Despite the setbacks, Leverkusen remains within striking distance of league leaders RB Leipzig, sitting five points behind. With plenty of matches remaining, Alonso and his team will be determined to turn things around and mount a serious title challenge.

Italy, the reigning European champions, embark on their title defense at the UEFA Euro 2020 on June 15th, facing Albania in their opening match. The tournament marks a new era for the Azzurri, as they seek to rebuild their reputation as one of the world's top footballing nations.Under the guidance of manager Luciano Spalletti, Italy has undergone a significant transformation since their triumph in 2020. The team has shed the aging stars of the past and embraced a new generation of players, led by Federico Chiesa, Nicolo Barella, and Davide Frattesi.Despite their status as reigning champions, Italy faces a daunting task in Group B, which also includes Spain and Croatia. A victory over Albania in their opening match is crucial for their chances of advancing to the knockout stages.Albania, making their second appearance at the Euros, will be buoyed by the support of their passionate fans. The Eagles boast a squad with a strong Italian connection, with 10 players currently plying their trade in Serie A.Italy's preparations for the tournament have been hampered by injuries to key players, including Barella and Frattesi. However, the team remains confident in their ability to overcome these challenges and make a strong run in the competition."We are an underrated team," said delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon. "We have players in the squad who will become future greats. We want to show what we're made of at the Euros."