Kane breaks 60-year record and Musiala dazzles in Bayern romp

Kane breaks 60-year record and Musiala dazzles in Bayern romp
Bayern’s Serge Gnabry celebrates with his teammates Harry Kane and Jamal Musiala after he scored his side’s fourth goal during their Bundesliga match against SV Darmstadt 98 in Darmstadt on Mar. 16, 2024. (AP)
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Updated 16 March 2024
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Kane breaks 60-year record and Musiala dazzles in Bayern romp

Kane breaks 60-year record and Musiala dazzles in Bayern romp
  • With 31 goals in 26 league games since arriving from Spurs in the summer, Kane overtook German legend Uwe Seeler, who scored 30 goals for Hamburg in 1963-64
  • Musiala also had an assist in the win, which keeps Bayern's slim hopes of defending the Bundesliga title alive

BERLIN: Harry Kane broke a 60-year record for most goals in a debut season while Jamal Musiala scored twice as Bayern Munich won 5-2 at Darmstadt on Saturday.
With 31 goals in 26 league games since arriving from Spurs in the summer, Kane overtook German legend Uwe Seeler, who scored 30 goals for Hamburg in 1963-64.
Musiala also had an assist in the win, which keeps Bayern's slim hopes of defending the Bundesliga title alive, moving them seven points behind Bayer Leverkusen, who play at Freiburg on Sunday.
"We are staying in it. We worked hard to get ourselves some opportunities and we took them," said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer, praising "difference makers like Jamal on the pitch."
The goalkeeper was however disappointed his side had conceded two goals against last-placed Darmstadt, saying: "We all need to work on it."
Darmstadt stunned Bayern after 28 minutes, Tim Skarke taking advantage of some sleepy defending by Eric Dier to score and give the home side hope of an incredible upset against the German champions.
Kane would however drag Bayern into the lead before half-time, assisting Musiala's 36th-minute goal before scoring one of his own, rising high to head in a Joshua Kimmich chip in first-half stoppage time.
Musiala added another midway through the second half when he collected a Thomas Mueller throw-in and danced through the box before shooting between the goalkeeper's legs.
As he did last week, Serge Gnabry scored moments after coming off the bench to seal the win.
Bayern's Mathys Tel and Darmstadt's Oscar Vilhelmsson both scored in stoppage time.
In the German capital, Union Berlin beat Werder Bremen 2-1 thanks to a commanding performance from US midfielder Brenden Aaronson, on loan from Leeds.
Aaronson, who was surprisingly left out of the US squad this week, had a hand in two goals in three second-half minutes to give Union the upper hand.
The 23-year-old laid on Yorbe Vertessen's 50th-minute goal, before creating and scoring one of his own with some superb dribbling shortly after.
Mitchell Weiser pulled one back for the visitors but Union held on, recording their fifth win in seven home matches under coach Nenad Bjelica.
"It's been the toughest year of my life," Aaronson told reporters after scoring his second goal in Union colours.
"Going from Leeds and then not playing much here, it's mentally a battle all the time, staying confident."
Augsburg came from a goal down to beat a 10-man Wolfsburg 3-1 away from home, their fourth-straight league win taking them to seventh on the table.
Wolfsburg's Patrick Wimmer scored after just nine minutes but was sent from the field in tears just before half-time for a last-man foul, with Augsburg's Arne Maier scoring from the ensuing free-kick.
Kristijan Jakic scored a second-half double to seal the win, piling more pressure on Niko Kovac's Wolfsburg who have won just one game in 15.
Mainz won 2-0 at home against Bochum to keep their hopes of avoiding relegation alive. Mainz moved past Cologne, who were thumped 5-1 by Leipzig on Friday, into 16th, the relegation playoff spot.
Promoted Heidenheim drew 1-1 at home with Borussia Moenchengladbach to collect another valuable point and go 10 clear of the relegation spots in their first season in the top division.
Later on Saturday, third-placed Stuttgart travel to neighbours Hoffenheim.


Liverpool rotate squad for game at PSV Eindhoven to rest Salah, Van Dijk and others

Liverpool rotate squad for game at PSV Eindhoven to rest Salah, Van Dijk and others
Updated 29 January 2025
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Liverpool rotate squad for game at PSV Eindhoven to rest Salah, Van Dijk and others

Liverpool rotate squad for game at PSV Eindhoven to rest Salah, Van Dijk and others
  • The Reds have already advanced to the round of 16
  • manager Arne Slot opted to take a second-string squad to the Netherlands

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool will give some star players including Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk a rest for the Champions League game at PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday.
The Reds have already advanced to the round of 16, so manager Arne Slot opted to take a second-string squad to the Netherlands.
Along with Salah and Van Dijk, the other players who were left in Merseyside were Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker, Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Luis Diaz.
Liverpool are in first place and can finish no lower than second in the league phase of the Champions League.
On Tuesday, Slot said with the packed schedule it was a chance for players to “get some freshness back.”
The Premier League leaders play at seventh-place Bournemouth on Saturday.


Ex-Belgium midfielder Nainggolan charged in drug trafficking probe

Ex-Belgium midfielder Nainggolan charged in drug trafficking probe
Updated 28 January 2025
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Ex-Belgium midfielder Nainggolan charged in drug trafficking probe

Ex-Belgium midfielder Nainggolan charged in drug trafficking probe
  • The 36-year-old footballer was charged with “participating in a criminal organization” and then conditionally released, his lawyer Mounir Souidi told media
  • Antwerp-born Nainggolan came out of retirement last week to join a lower-tier Belgian side

BRUSSELS: Former Belgium midfielder Radja Nainggolan was charged on Monday as part of an investigation into cocaine trafficking on an international scale, a day after he was arrested, the Brussels prosecutor’s office said.
The 36-year-old footballer was charged with “participating in a criminal organization” and then conditionally released, his lawyer Mounir Souidi told media after a hearing in Brussels.
Nainggolan was among 18 suspects arrested following a series of 30 searches carried out on Monday morning in the northern province of Antwerp, as well as in the Brussels area. Ten of them were imprisoned after being brought before a judge.
The majority of those held face charges of “importation, transport and selling of drugs without permission” and with the “participation in organized crime as leaders.”
Nainggolan was released on bail as he was charged with being a “member” of the organization and not a “leader.”


“The investigation concerns alleged facts of importation of cocaine from South America to Europe, via the port of Antwerp, and its redistribution in Belgium,” prosecutors said in a statement on Monday.
In addition to 2.7 kilos (six pounds) of cocaine, police seized around half a million euros ($521,000) in cash and gold coins, a stash of jewelry, and luxury watches including two worth some 360,000 euros each.
They further seized three firearms, two bullet-proof vests and 14 vehicles, prosecutors said.
Antwerp-born Nainggolan came out of retirement last week to join a lower-tier Belgian side — adding a final spell to a long career that saw him play 30 matches and score six goals for the national team.
Having played for Italian teams Cagliari, Inter Milan and Roma, he had been without a club since last summer before signing with Belgian second-tier outfit Lokeren last week.
He marked his debut with a goal at the weekend in Lokeren’s 1-1 home draw to K. Lierse.
He had previously returned from Italy to Belgium in the summer of 2021 to join Royal Antwerp.
A tattooed midfielder known for his off-field antics, he parted ways with Antwerp in early 2023.
A few months earlier he had been suspended for being caught smoking an electronic cigarette on the bench, according to Belgian media.


Neymar thanks Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, fans after departing to Santos

Neymar thanks Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, fans after departing to Santos
Updated 28 January 2025
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Neymar thanks Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, fans after departing to Santos

Neymar thanks Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, fans after departing to Santos
  • ‘To everyone at Al-Hilal, to the fans, thank you,’ Neymar writes on X
  • ‘To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences. I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life’

BEIRUT: Brazilian forward Neymar took the opportunity on Tuesday to thank Saudi Arabia, Al-Hilal, and their fans after concluding his 17-month stint at the Saudi Pro League side.
“To everyone at Al-Hilal, to the fans, thank you,” said Neymar in a social media post on X, after returning to his Brazilian club Santos after originally leaving them in 2013 to join Barcelona.
He wrote: “I gave everything to play and I wish we (had) enjoyed better times on the pitch together.
“To Saudi, thank you for giving me and my family a new home and new experiences. I now know the real Saudi and have friends for life. I always felt your love and passion for the game. I will be following your journey ahead as a club and a country towards 2034.


“Your future will be incredible, special things are happening and I will always support you!”
Marcelo Teixeira, Santos’ president, said on social media channels: “It is the time (to come back), Neymar. It is time for you to come back to your people. To our home, to the club in our hearts.
“Welcome, our boy Ney! A boy of Vila (Belmiro, Santos’ stadium). Come back to be happy again with the white and black shirt. The Santos nation awaits you with open arms.”
The 32-year-old, who has scored 79 international goals for his home country, moved to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona for a world-record fee of €222 million in August 2017.
Al-Hilal announced Neymar’s departure on Tuesday on X, saying: “The club expresses its thanks and appreciation to Neymar for what he has provided throughout his career at Al-Hilal, and wish the player success in his career.”
Neymar arrived at the Saudi club in August 2023 after signing from PSG, but only played seven games due to injuries.
Italian sports journalist Fabrizio Romano wrote on X: “Teixeira confirms Neymar Jr’s return to the club. Six-month contract to be formally signed this week, as reported.”


Flick backing Szczesny as Barca’s number one

Flick backing Szczesny as Barca’s number one
Updated 28 January 2025
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Flick backing Szczesny as Barca’s number one

Flick backing Szczesny as Barca’s number one
  • “My job is to make the decision on this position,” Flick told a news conference
  • “I always look for the (good of) the team, and this is how we act“

BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Tuesday he and his staff have chosen Wojciech Szczesny over Inaki Pena as the team’s first choice goalkeeper.
The Catalan giants brought former Polish international Szczesny out of retirement as an emergency signing in October after Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a severe knee injury.
Pena has been the club’s number one during the first half of the season but Szczesny was chosen in the previous two matches.
“My job is to make the decision on this position... for me Tek (Szczesny) is an experienced player and he has a good personality, but both of them are great goalkeepers,” Flick told a news conference ahead of the Champions League clash with Atalanta on Wednesday.
“I decided, also with my team, my coaching staff, for Tek... both are very good, and in the past Inaki did a good job, but now I decided like that.
“I always look for the (good of) the team, and this is how we act.”
Barcelona already secured qualification directly to the last 16 of the Champions League with a 5-4 win over Benfica last week, in which Szczesny made two big mistakes which led to goals.
However Barcelona have won each of the five matches in which the former Juventus stopper has featured this season.
Barcelona will be without defender Andreas Christensen, who will miss three weeks with a calf injury, the club said in a statement.
The Danish defender had only just recovered from an Achilles tendon issue and has not played since August.
Atalanta, third in Serie A, are hoping to secure a top eight Champions League finish, with the Italian side currently seventh.


Man City will embrace Brugge ‘challenge’ in must-win Champions League clash: Guardiola

Man City will embrace Brugge ‘challenge’ in must-win Champions League clash: Guardiola
Updated 28 January 2025
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Man City will embrace Brugge ‘challenge’ in must-win Champions League clash: Guardiola

Man City will embrace Brugge ‘challenge’ in must-win Champions League clash: Guardiola
  • Guardiola has never failed to reach the Champions League knockout stages in his career as a manager and he said Tuesday he was confident his side would progress
  • “It’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity, a challenge, and we will face it“

MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola says Manchester City will embrace the “challenge” of Wednesday’s must-win Champions League clash against Club Brugge and is confident they will make the knockout stages.
The Premier League champions must beat last season’s Belgian league winners at the Etihad to progress to the play-off stage, involving teams ranked from ninth to 24th in the league phase.
The top eight teams automatically qualify for the round of 16, which takes place in March.
City endured a horrific run of just one win in 13 games in all competitions from October to December, which threatened to completely derail their season.
Guardiola’s men appear to have turned a corner in the Premier League, winning four of their past five games to climb back into the top four.
But lingering problems were exposed last week as Paris Saint-Germain battled back from 2-0 down to inflict a damaging 4-2 defeat on the 2023 European champions.
Guardiola has never failed to reach the Champions League knockout stages in his career as a manager and he said Tuesday he was confident his side would progress.
“It’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity, a challenge, and we will face it,” he told his pre-match press conference.
He added: “I expect a tough opponent. When a team is 20 games unbeaten (the run is 21) it is because they are good. There are no secrets about that.
“They beat Aston Villa, (against) Juventus, Milan they played good. Celtic... they did really well. Different variations in the build-up. We have to read well what we have to do.
“But every team — Manchester City included — has weaknesses. You have to find them and punish them.”
Guardiola appeared frustrated when quizzed on the potential consequences of an early exit from the Champions League.
City are presently 25th in the league table after just two wins in their seven games.
“Of course, I’m not naive enough to know how important it is financially for the club to go through in this competition, but sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t,” he said.
“But, of course, we want to try to go through, especially for sporting reasons.”
The 54-year-old Catalan said he had faith the pressure of the situation would bring out the best in his players.
“I know they want it, I know how focused they are, and I don’t have doubts that we will perform what we have to do to go through, but with football, you never know,” he said.
Norway midfielder Oscar Bobb is in contention to feature against Club Brugge for the first time since August but new signings Omar Marmoush, Vitor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov are all ineligible.