Borussia Dortmund made a narrow escape with a 1-0 win over Augsburg in a pressure-filled Bundesliga Clash this evening. The game was one filled with momentum, drama and intensity as both sides struggled till the last minute.
Serhou Guirassy in action (Photo Credit Dortmund X Handle)
The 37th minute goal from Serhou Guirassy made a big difference. The game began with Dortmund taking an early control of possession with full confidence on display.
Augsburg had an organized defence and tried to counterattack through Fabian Rieder and Mert Komur. Dortmund’s hard work was rewarded when Guirassy calmly kicked the ball past goalkeeper Finn Dahmen to give Dortmund an early 1–0.
By the break time, Dortmund had already controlled possession with 58% while Dortmund continued to try their best. Augsburg gained momentum in the second half and pushed forward for an equalizer.
Both sides made replacements which brought in new aura. Augsburg came in with Samuel Essende and Anton Kade while Dortmund introduced Marcel Sabitzer and Jobe Bellingham to stabilize the midfield.
Some promising moves were made by the hosts late in the game, this included a close-range effort by Noahkai Banks in stoppage time but Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was willing to stain his clean sheet.
Augsburg didn’t give up as they kept pushing but Dortmund tried to hold the game firmly till the end. Several yellow cards were issued. Elvis Rexhbecaj and Fabian Rieder were faulted for fouls and thus added to the tension, but the visitors’ discipline and composure helped them maintain their narrow advantage.
Augsburd Vs Dortmund in Budesliga clash (Photo Credit: Augsburg X handle)
The final whistle blew after eight minutes extra time and Dortmund players breathed a sigh of relief and went ahead to rejoice over their hard earned victory.
With this result, Dortmund continue to gain energy in their league campaign and with a 1-1 draw in their last match against Eintracht Frankfurt, this victory serves as a much needed boost. Augsburg are left to mourn mistakes and missed opportunities even though they had a strong performance in the second half.
The match was a tight and competitive one which might have taken a different turn but in the end, Dortmund’s early goal was what made the difference.
French Midfielder, Paul Pogba has sustained a minor injury which came as a result of twisting his ankle while training. Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed this in his official X handle.
Paul Pogba during training (Photo Credit: Fabrizio Romano X Handle)
He posted:
Paul Pogba has suffered an injury in training with a twisted ankle, but it’s not a serious one.
French midfielder set to miss this weekend game but is expected to be back in action next week if all goes to plan.
According to his words, Pogba’s injury is not serious, but he will miss Monaco’s big Ligue 1 match against Paris Saint-Germain this weekend. He also pointed out that if Pogba’s recovery goes well, he will be back to his regular activities next week.
The ban was supposed to be four-year long but it was later reduced to 18 months after a successful appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Paul Pogba had been included in Monaco’s champions league, Softfootball reported. But since he arrived at Monaco, he has had constant issues with injuries. A thigh strain earlier in October led to his delayed debut and now he is challenged with an ankle problem.
With Monaco currently sixth in Ligue 1, they had hoped Pogba’s return would make a big difference in the midfield but with the November international break fast approaching, he might not be playing again till further notice.
For now, the club and their fans can only pray that Pogba finally gets a chance to climb to the spotlight in Monaco.
Liverpool will host Aston Villa this weekend in an important Premier League match. Having suffered four straight defeats this season, Liverpool’s form is now classified as the worst in years and this has put them under pressure.
Woodman and Morrison of Liverpool (Photo Credit: Liverpool via X)
Despite the season starting on a slow note, Villa succeeded in turning things around and are now on a winning streak. Their confidence and attacking power has indeed been elevated.
Liverpool’s problems seem to lie in their unstable defence and inconsistent performances. They have let in a lot of goals and struggled with keeping clean sheets. Issues like injuries have also disturbed like normal rhythm, tight schedule.
To get a positive turn around, they’ll need key players like Mohammed Salah and other attacking stars together with defenders who are well rested or recovering. Aston Villa’s energy and freedom makes them a big threat.
Their recent records are evidence of their attacking power and confidence. They might not be so perfect but they can feed off Liverpool’s current vulnerable state.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match which was shared in club’s official X handle, Arne Slot talked about injuries, form and his team’s mentality.
On managing the tight schedule and injuries concerns, Slot said,
Just handling the situation as it is. Let me use Alex [Isak] as an example — he had to do his pre-season inside the season… if I don’t play him, I don’t have him available, because otherwise I have to play Hugo [Ekitike] every single game.
We have still more than enough good players available to play the game on Saturday, to play the game on Tuesday and to play the game on Sunday. But I have to take care of a few of them.
On the factors that would help Liverpool get back on track after the defeat, he said:
The thing that gives me the most confidence is the quality of the players we have and the amount of chances these players are still creating. This will eventually always lead to these players scoring more goals than we’ve done until now.
Arne Slot (Photo Credit – Liverpool Official Website)
He addressed the confidence within the team, saying:
It’s never helpful if you end a game of football against Manchester United with conceding a set-piece and you start another one at Brentford in the Premier League and you concede after five minutes from a throw-in, from a set-piece. I’m not 100 per cent sure if I’m correct, we had to defend 16 set-pieces and 15 we defended well.
When he was asked whether he would change to a more defensive style, Slot was firm in his reply, saying:
I don’t see us conceding a lot of chances, so I don’t see a reason to change our playing style completely, but we need to do better in not conceding goals, that is for sure.
Watch the Press interview below:
Join Arne Slot live as he previews tomorrow night’s Premier League meeting with Aston Villa #LIVAVLhttps://t.co/SGU0b28amH
In a press conference ahead of the match which was shared in Aston Villa’s official X handle, Aston Villa manager, Unai Emery expressed positivity and praised the recent progress of his team. He also talked about the challenges they may face.
Reflecting on Villa’s strong turnaround this season, Emery said,
It’s also a sign that it is better to do it the way they did it than the way we did it! If you don’t win in the beginning, people are like, ‘Maybe they don’t have the same team as last season’ or whatever and then they start to win and everything is very positive again.
He gave credit to his team’s impressive strong form, saying,
The performances collectively and how we are increasing and getting more points than we achieved in the first part of the season is very important. It means the players and our performance tactically is becoming better.
When asked about the progress of Matty Cash, he replied,
Cash is usually showing his emotions clearly, and he’s a very good guy. As a man, he’s fantastic and as a player, he’s progressing very well.
Furthermore, he emphasized on his team’s work ethic and the dangers of slacking,
We increased our demands in the training sessions and in meetings.
Progressively we are getting better. Now is the moment we have one problem if we are relaxing because we are performing better we can get confused.
Unai Emery (Photo Credit: Aston Villa via X)
In anticipation of the match against Liverpool, he said in conclusion,
I have massive respect for them. They can have some moments where they’re not getting good results, but the coach showed last year his capacity and experience.
On Liverpool’s side, Alisson Becker won’t be available because of a hamstring injury. Jeremie Frimpong is dealing with a recurring hamstring problem so he’s out. Giovanni Leoni is also injured.
Ryan Gravenberch is back to full training and could return to the squad.
Ryan Gravenberch (Photo Credit: Liverpool website)
For Aston Villa,
Emiliano Buendía has an ankle injury and won’t be playing. Youri Tielemans has injury concerns too. Harvey Elliott won’t be able to play against his parent club because he is on loan from Liverpool.
Possible Lineups
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Giorgi Mamardashvili; Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister; Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo; Hugo Ekitiké.
Aston Villa (4-2-3-1): Emiliano Martínez; Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa, Pau Torres, Lucas Digne; Boubacar Kamara, Amadou Onana; Morgan Rogers, John McGinn, Evann Guessand; Ollie Watkins.
Prediction
There could be a narrow 2-1 win from Liverpool but Villa are prepared to make the match a tough one.
Bayern Munich will host Bayer Leverkusen this weekend in what promises to be one of the biggest Bundesliga matches. FC Bayern Munich’s current performance is excellent.
Bayern Munich Players in Training (Photo Credit: Bayern Munich X Handle)
They have the best defensive record in the Bundesliga so far, having scored 30 goals and conceded only four goals. Bayer Leverkusen also has quite an impressive performance this season. They sit at the fifth position in the table with 17 points.
They have scored 18 goals in 8 matches which shows their attacking strength. They have recorded five wins, 2 draws and 1 loss and this record also puts the strength of the team on display.
Bayern Munich has more control as they have won 62 out of 104 matches while Bayer Leverkusen has 22 victories and 20 draws. But with Leverkusen’s impressive performance, they believe they have what it takes to challenge top teams.
Bayern Munich will look to dominate and use their attacking strength while Bayer Leverkusen will try to stay organized, put pressure on Bayern’s players and look for opportunities to counter attack.
Vincent Kompany during the UCL press conference (Photo Credit: Bayern Munich X handle)
As shared in the club’s verified X handle, Bayern Munich’s head coach, Vincent Kompany spoke in a pre-match press conference alongside sporting director, Christoph Freund.
Head coach, Vincent Kompany emphasized on the need for his players to be focused for the challenge. He said:
Leverkusen have reached their top form under the new coach. They’re still a dangerous team that’s picked up results in the Bundesliga. So, this is still a top game in the Bundesliga. And we’ve got the rivalry of the past few years that still exists in our squad.
The coach praised the defence team for their splendid performance in the last match.
My credit for the last game goes above all to our defence. Nobody else will say that and praise them. It’s different for me as a former defender. We won duels, were aggressive in defending the space. But in the end, the defenders did their job, won their duels, and that was the difference.
Christoph Freund gave his opinion about the young goalkeeper, Jonas Urbig and expressed happiness at having him in the team.
Jonas can develop really well behind Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich. It wasn’t an easy situation in the knockout game in Cologne – he’s from Cologne, after all! He’s fully accepted by the team, has settled in really well. We’re happy to have him here and he’s developing superbly. That didn’t surprise us.
Kompany also added how impressed they were at Urbig’s performance in big games. Kompany went further to give positive updates on player fitness.
Everyone’s ready, including Manuel Neuer.
Christoph talked about Wisdom Mike’s participation in the U17 World Cup.
It’s special to be able to play in a World Cup with your country. We hope he gets plenty of playing time. It’s important that he gets playing time now, and the U17 World Cup is a good platform for that, so we’re delighted that he’s there.
Watch the full conference below:
LIVE Der Pressetalk mit Vincent Kompany und Christoph Freund vor #FCBB04.
He highlighted his team’s readiness to face one of Europe’s top teams,
We have a strong team and we are going to Munich to make it a good name. We will go into it with bravery and confidence in our own playing style.
Kasper Hujulmand addressing his players during the training session (Photo Credit: Bayer 04 Leverkusen X Handle)
Team News
For Bayern Munich, Alphonso Davies is out because of a knee injury. Jamal Musiala won’t play because of a fractured calf and Hiroki Ito who has an injury on the foot will not be available.
For Beyer Leverkusen, they are dealing with numerous injuries which would give Hjulmand a tough time at selecting players. Exequiel Palacios, Nathan Tella, Axel Tape, Malik Tillman and Lucas Vazquez are all out because of injuries.
Possible Line-Ups
Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Gregor Kobel; Raphaël Guerreiro, Upamecano, Schlotterbeck, Boey; Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka; Michael Olise, Harry Kane, Luis Díaz; Nicolas Jackson.
With their strong home form and records, Bayern Munich could win with a 2-1 result but Leverkusen won’t make it easy for them, they would give them a tough time. Goals could come from both sides.
Today is one special day for the young Spanish star Ansu Fati as he marks his 23rd birthday. A day to reflect on his journey so far, count his successes and reflect on his mistakes or losses.
Ansu Fati (Photo Credit: AS Monaco X handle)
Since he graduated from La Masia, Barcelona’s renowned academy, he has shown nothing but courage to keep fighting through hard times. His story has been one filled with big dreams and incredible talents to match.
He was born in Guinea-Bissau on October 31, 2002 and then moved to Spain as a child where he showcased his skills and gained a reputation in Barcelona’s youth system.
Ansu Fati made his first-team debut for FC Barcelona at the age of 16 and shook the world of football with his confidence, skills and goals. No wonder fans and pundits immediately referred to him as the Future of Barcelona.
In his quest to get more playing time and a chance to improve his form, Fati moved to Brighton on a loan from Barcelona last season.
Fati did not give up in spite of the challenges and this paid off as his strong determination and positivity earned him a lot of respect even far beyond his age.
As he celebrates another year of life, fans across the world continue to believe in his brilliance, speed and creativity. Ansu still has time on his side and the football world is waiting patiently for his full comeback to the spotlight.
Happy Birthday, Ansu Fati — the journey continues!
AS Monaco highlighted the contribution Ansu Fati made to a goal by Aleksandra Golovin. The clip was shared in their official X handle.
Football star Kylian Mbappé has added another extraordinary accolade to his collection of trophies. He won the Golden Boot for the 2024/25 season.
Kylian Mbappé with the Golden Boot (Photo Credit: Real Madrid X Handle)
His achievement highlights an excellent season when scored goals consistently and put a stamp on his name as a top-class player. His success also reminds football enthusiasts of his raw talent in football.
His achievement highlights an excellent season when he scored goals consistently and put a stamp on his name as a top-class player. His success also reminds football enthusiasts of his raw talent in football.
Looking at his records, it is easy to note that his impressive finishing, intelligent moves and leadership have been the main factors behind his success.
The award marks his great achievement, but not only that, we just can’t forget his team’s support and collective effort also contributed to this remarkable journey. Mbappé’s Golden Boot has arrived and he is no doubt grateful and happy.
The statement from Fabrizio Romano makes it official. It is one fantastic moment for the French star and it calls for celebration.
In addition, it is a reminder that the future holds greater opportunities and successes for him with his team being his backbone.
This post perfectly put together Mbappé’s brilliant performance in the 2025/26 season. He has been the main man behind Real Madrid’s impressive run. La Liga’s official records show that Mbappé broke the record with 26 goals in his debut campaign.
Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid (Photo Credit: Real Madrid via X)
With an incredible 1.33 goals per game, Mbappé’s numbers draw comparisons to Lionel Messi’s peak years, particularly the 2011–12 season.
As talk grows around the Ballon d’Or, many believe Mbappé’s current trajectory could finally see him claim football’s most prestigious individual honour.
It was a special birthday on Wednesday for the youngster Tommy Marques as he joined Hansi Flick’s first-team to train for the first time at Ciutat Esportiva.
Marques has been a dedicated performer for Juliano Belletti’s Barça Atletic this season and featured in eight matches which earned in a spot at he team’s most consistent performances.
Hansi Flick of Barcelona (Photo Credit: Barcelona via X)
He has impressed with his composure and vision. Flick is clearly enthusiastic about promoting young talents from La Masia and giving them a chance to display their skills at the senior level.
He has given such opportunities to many young players including Dro, Jofre Torrents, and Toni Fernandez, now, it was Marques turn to benefit.
Barça Atletic captain Alvaro Cortes also took part in the training to replace Andreas Christensen due to his injury. The defender has featured in five Segunda RFEF matches this season and has represented Spain at the U20 World Cup of recent.
Filipe Luís and John Obi Mikel (Photo Credit: The Obi One Podcast X Handle)
Filipe Luís talked about his journey into football management and people who have inspired him the most, Diego Simeon in particular.
Filipe Luís became head coach of Flamengo in September 2024 and he talked about his time under Diego Simeon,
He really changed my way of seeing football, the way I think about my life as well, and became more competitive. More than I want to be champion because he gave that inside my heart.
When Filipe was at Atlético Madrid, he won La Liga in 2014 and got to the Champions League final and he has used his experiences to mould himself into the coach he is today.
He also acknowledged that Simeone’s tough approach made him develop a thick back and become more competitive. Being a coach at Flamengo now, he has only lost one match.
The podcast also explored how Luís has evolved tactically as a coach. He said,
I get a little bit over everybody but also I try to study a lot because football, I think, changes every season.
He explained that he had been inspired by managers José Mourinho and Jorge Jesus in combining modern attack with an organized, strong defense.
He explained that his style combines modern attacking play with strong defensive organization, inspired by managers like José Mourinho and Jorge Jesus.
Filipe Luís’s transitioning from player to becoming a manager is an evidence of how much Simeone’s competitive style has rubbed off on him.
This podcast episode not only emphasized Luís’s promising coaching career but it also shows how Simeone’s influence continues to shape modern football thinking.
Watch the podcast below:
‘HE’S THE GUY WHO CHANGED ME’@filipeluis is destined for big things in management, mark our words.
As for the man who shaped him? Look no further than 𝘌𝘭 𝘊𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰.
Manchester United Fans have something to be joyous about this week because Lisandro Martinez has returned to full training at Carrington.
The Argentine defender has been away because he suffered a knee injury against Crystal Palace in February which kept him by the side for the rest of the season, including the Europa League final in Bilbao.
Lisandro Martinez in training (Manchester United X Handle)
During his recovery phase, Martinez continued to work hard and stayed focused at becoming fully fit. He started with some light training last week but he has now fully joined the main squad to train alongside senior players and younger players.
The post also included pictures and videos from the training ground with Martinez full of smiles, energy and happiness. He was welcomed by his teammates like Joshua Zirkzee, Manuel Ugarte, and Casemiro after he returned.
Coach Ruben Amorim greeted him with a handshake and a hug. The training footage spoke loudly about Martinez’s usual passion and leadership which are organizing the defense, passing accurately, and guiding others during small-sided games.
Lisandro Martinez (Photo Credit: Manchester City via X)
Carrington has been filled with a positive mood especially with team having acquired three straight wins. This coupled with Martinez’s return has boosted hopes even more.
The team’s confidence has grown because of his soothing presence and experience as a world cup winner. After training, Martinez said he felt good which comes as a relief to the team and fan’s who can’t wait to see him play in matches again.
The mood around Carrington was very positive, especially with the team coming off three straight wins. Martinez’s comeback has lifted spirits even more.
His presence, experience as a World Cup winner, and natural leadership have boosted the squad’s confidence.
Augsburg will host Borrusia Dortmund in an important match at the WWK Arena this Friday. It hasn’t been so easy for Augsburg this season.
Augsburg Players Looks in Anticipation OF Their Match Against Dortmund (Photo Credit: FC Augsburg X Handle)
They are currently in the 14th position at the Bundesliga table with 7 points from their first eight games and they have struggled with scoring and defence.
On the other hand, Borussia Dortmund are more stable and are ready to keep up their momentum as they are currently sitting 4th in the Bundesliga table, having won five of their first eight matches.
Niko Kovac and Karim Adeymi (Photo Credit: Borussia X Handle)
Speaking in a pre-match interview, Dortmund manager as shared in the club’s official X handle, Niko Kovač shared updates about his players and his thoughts about team’s approach.
We came through the Frankfurt game well. Niklas Süle has a bruised toe, but everyone else is fully fit. Ramy Bensebaini trained today and will be available for selection tomorrow.
He also talked about Julien Duranville and the club’s plans to take things slowly with him after his recovery from injury.
After his break over the last few months, Julien Duranville will initially be getting some playing time with the U23s. There he can get fit, find his feet, and work on everything else. We’re not rushing anything with him.
About Waldemar Anton, the Dortmund manager praised his consistency and leadership within the team.
Kovac on Waldemar Anton:
“Waldi is a constant presence in our team. Whether he plays in the center or on the right, he does a fantastic job, has a great attitude, and is in top shape.” #FCABVBpic.twitter.com/L7FnEvgCJR
Niko Kovač showed respect for the opponent and urged his team to focus on themselves despite their strong position.
We’re not overestimating the situation in Augsburg. It certainly won’t be easy for us; every Bundesliga game is difficult. We’re focusing on ourselves and want to play our game.
Augsburg’s manager, Sandro Wagner also gave a statement ahead of the match as shared in the club’s verified X handle,
We want to get the momentum on our side. Nothing is given to you for free in the Bundesliga. I told the team that too. We are workers and we have to work our way back in together!
His words shows that Augsburg is ready to fight hard and rebuild form after recent inconsistent results.
Sandro Wagner in a Pre- match Interview (Photo Credit: FC Augsburg X handle)
Teams News
For Augsburg, players who wouldn’t be joining the match are Jeffrey Gouweleeuw and Anton Kade due to injuries. On Dortmund’s side, Julien Duranville, Emre Can, Aarón Anselmino will not be available because of injuries and Cole Campbell will be away on international duty.
Possible Lineups
Augsburg (3-4-2-1): Finn Dahmen; Kristijan Jakić, Chrislain Matsima, Noahkai Banks; Robin Fellhauer, Han-Noah Massengo, Elvis Rexhbeçaj, Dimitrios Giannoulis; Fabian Rieder, Elias Saad, Mert Kömür
Dortmund (4-2-3-1): Gregor Kobel; Waldemar Anton, Nico Schlotterbeck, Ramy Bensebaini; Julian Ryerson, Pascal Groß, Marcel Sabitzer, Daniel Svensson; Karim Adeyemi, Maximilian Beier, Serhou Guirassy.
Prediction
With Augsburg’s defensive problems and Dortmund’s strong form away from home, we are looking at a 1-3 scoreline with Dortmund winning. Augsburg 1-3 Dortmund.
Enthusiatic Crystal Palace Supporters (Photo Credit: Crystal Palace X handle)
This defeat marked one of Liverpool’s earliest exits from the competition in years. Arne Slot’s plan to give younger players a chance and rest some key players failed completely.
Ismaïla Sarr took advantage of this and scored two goals giving Crystal Palace complete control of the game. Things didn’t take a light turn when Liverpool substitute Amara Nallo was issued a red card in the second half of the game and left the team with only ten players.
Liverpool’s defeat led to an uproar from fans in the club’s official X account. Disappointments, complaints, jokes and memes flew all around the space.
One of such memes came from, @MrChelsealad02 who posted a meme showing Liverpool’s famous Liver Bird logo alongside a skinned chicken.
And went further to use a funny Gorilla meme to emphasize his frustration.
@OweiAlfred predicted the next three matches but not in the favor of Liverpool, he said,
Aston Villa and Real Madrid are coming to add salt to their injury at Anfield and then City will finish them off at the Etihad. The next 3 games Liverpool faces will decide Arne Slot’s fate.
The jokes didn’t stop but kept pouring in with extraordinary force. One X user, @FemiOguntayo2 worsened the frustration of other fans by adding a vivid mockery together with laughing emojis to stress his comment,
Imagine spending almost half a billion pounds in the transfer window only to be playing with players nobody knows.
Back-to-Back Anfield defeat. I thought Slot said the away games didn’t help. WHAT IS YOUR EXCUSE NOW??!!
Leeds United secured an important Premier League victory as they defeated West Ham United 2-1, Softfootball reported. The club manager Daniel Farke praised the teams spirit and resilience after a challenging week.
Daniel Frake Post Match Reaction (Credit: Leeds Media)
Farke admitted that winning under such circumstances was never easy. He said:
To win the momentum back is always a difficult game and then you have to dig in and grind out a result. We had a difficult week in terms of illnesses, injuries—many players were struggling individually
Despite these challenges, the team showed determination, with several players stepping up to make key contributions. The manager also highlighted the team’s strong start and improved performance after halftime.
We corrected some issues at halftime and were way better in the beginning of the second half,
he explained, while noting that the players were visibly tired in the final stages.
In the last 20 minutes, you could feel that the lads were getting tired… We didn’t have the substance to go for 90 minutes on full strength, but we wanted to bring this over the line.
Brenden Aaronson gives Leeds the lead (Photo credit: Leeds United – X)
Farke was pleased with Leeds’ finishing after previous criticism of their conversion rate. Highlighting goals from Joe Rodon and Brenden Aaronson, the latter earning man-of-the-match recognition, he said:
There was lots of criticism with our conversion rate. Today we were clinical, especially with the first chances.
He also stressed the importance of teamwork and confidence.
It was a real team performance… The boys should be proud of themselves. It’s important in the Premier League that you keep planting the flag every few games. You can’t let runs go on too long.
Despite the challenges of injuries and fatigue, Farke believes this win will boost morale and momentum.
The only thing that matters today are the three points, and we’re pretty happy with them,
Leeds United held on for a vital 2–1 win over West Ham in a game full of energy, drama and late tension. There was a bright start from Leeds and a tense finish.
Softfootball reported that Leeds United had a tough start this season with only two wins in their first eight matches, including a match they lost to Burnley recently with a 2-0 result. So, tonight’s victory was a much needed boost for their season and would help them bounce back on track.
Brenden Aaronson gives Leeds the lead (Photo credit: Leeds United – X)
Leeds took on dominance as early as the third minute when Brenden Aaronson reacted first to a loose ball and calmly sent the ball home to make 1-0.
That first goal established confidence in Leeds and they had control of the game at the onset, pressing high and creating chances. The second goal from Leeds came from a carefully drafted corner.
Rodon doubles the lead (Photo credit: leeds media)
In the 15th minute, Sean Longstaff swung in a set piece and Joe Rodon quickly gave the goal that made it 2-0. There was joy from the spectators and Leeds continued to defend strongly with Joe Rodon and Ethan Ampadu assisting numerous times.
West Ham gradually started making a comeback and frustrated Leeds a few times. Alphonse Areola made a sharp save which denied a wonderful kick from Jarrod Bowen.
Lucas Paquetá and Bowen began to create more openings as the match continued. West Ham’s recent form hasn’t been so strong, having suffered back to back losses, including a 2-0 defeat in a match against Arsenal.
Leeds team had a couple of injury concerns and had to make some replacements. Gabriel Gudmundsson was replaced by James Justin in the first half and Noah Okafor was replaced by Jack Harrison.
There were other changes made to secure the lead like Dominic Calvert-Lewin being replaced by Luka Nmecha. About the time it seemed Leeds was going to take on another goal, West Ham finally hit just at the stoppage time.
Fernandes goal against Leeds (Photo Credit: West Ham Media)
In the 90th minute Jarrod Bowen crossed and Mateus Fernandes headed past Lucas Perri to make it 2-1. The final minutes were heavy but Leeds didn’t back down.
The Leeds team are now filled with so much excitement and they have shared the video on their official X handle:
Chelsea has announced that midfielder Reggie Walsh has signed his first professional deal. The 17 year old academy midfielder made the deal shortly after his birthday, making it a big milestone in a journey that started when he joined the club as an Under-8. The Blues have secured another of their talented young prospects, Softfootball reports.
Reggie Walsh made his debut last season with the senior team. He left a lasting impression that got many thinking. He started in Chelsea’s UEFA Conference League Semi-Final against Djuragaden, making him the thirds youngest player in club’s history.
In Chelsea’s 5-1 victory over Ajax, Softfootball reported how Chelsea showcased their emerging talents and the promise of a new generation stepping up. Tyrique George made an impact in the game. The 19 year old scored after his shot deflected off a defender and worng-footed Pasveer, helping the club dominate the game.
Jamie Gittens won the Man of the Match, as confirmed on the club’s official X handle, while Walsh also got to experience the Champions League at Stamford Bridge, becoming the youngest player in the competition.
Mikel Arteta has sent a heartfelt message to Arsenal fans before Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace, asking them to bring their energy and support to the Emirates Stadium, Softfootball reports.
At Mikel Arteta’s pre-match press Conference at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, he emphasized the crucial role supporters play in helping the team perform at their best.
Mikel Arteta (Photo credit: arsenal media)
The Gunners shared an insightful perspective from head coach Mikel Arteta, via their official X handle;
"The atmosphere is one of the most important things, and I love that."
The Gunners shared a video of Arteta on their official X handle, urging supporters to be in their seats early, showing energy and positive body language from the very first whistle. Watch below:
After a big midweek performance, Arteta knows the team will need another strong push from the stands. He acknowledges the physical and mental toll of recent games and sees the upcoming match as a test of resilience and focus.
He hopes the Emirates will once again be full of noise, colour, and passion, turning the fans’ support into a driving force for another important win.
Al-Nassr have been in brilliant form, enjoying a strong winning streak that they’ll be eager to extend. The team has triumphed in their last five matches and remain unbeaten so far this season. Their attack has been sharp and relentless, with goals coming from all directions in recent games.
Al Nassr players (Photo Credit: Al Nassr X handle)
Al-Hazm have had a tough season so far, struggling to find good form and consistency. They’ve scored a few goals, but their home record has been poor, and results have not gone their way. Facing an in-form Al-Nassr side makes their task even harder.
Cristiano Ronaldo (Photo Credit: Al Nassr via X)
Al-Nassr, on the other hand, are full of confidence. They’ve been unbeaten this season and have dominated recent meetings between the two sides. A major boost for Al Nassr will be the return of Cristiano Ronaldo. The superstar sat out the ACL away game, as is common in these matches, but he will start against Al Hazem.
Ronaldo has a special history against this team, having scored his 850th professional goal against them last season. Al Nassr FC shared an inspiring glimpse into the dedication of their star player, Cristiano Ronaldo on the club’s official X handle;
Al-Hazm will hope to stay compact in defense and use quick counterattacks to cause problems, but it won’t be easy
Al Nassr will be without Marcelo Brozovic, who is sidelined with a muscle injury. Defender Saad Al Nasser will miss the match due to a knee problem, while goalkeeper Nawaf Alaqidi is out with a hamstring issue.
In a pre-match press conference shared on the club’s official X handle, Al-Hazem coach Jalal Qadri expressed confidence in securing a victory over league leaders Al-Nassr. Speaking about the influence of top players, he said:
Cristiano Ronaldo is the greatest player in history and a lesson for young players.
Watch the video below:
جانب من المؤتمر الصحفي للسيد "جلال قادري" قبل مواجهة #الحزم_النصر
Al-Nassr (4-4-2): Bento; Nawaf Boushal, Mohamed Simakan, Iñigo Martínez, Aiman Yahya; Angelo Gabriel, Abdullah Al Khaibari, Kingsley Coman, Sadio Mané; João Félix, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Al-Hazm (4-1-4-1): Bruno Varela (GK); Ahmed Al Nakhli, Sultan Tanker, Abdulrahman Al Dakheel, Abdulaziz Al Harbi; Loreintz Rosier; Fabio Martins, Nawaf Al Habashi, Basil Al Sayyali, Elias Mokwana; Omar Al Somah.
Prediction:
Al-Nassr are the favourites. They have a strong record which has already given them an edge. Al-Hazm might not win because of their poor records and so Al-Nassr might end up winning with a 3-0 result.
Liverpool is set for a Premier League clash with Brentford this Saturday at the Gtech Community Stadium. The Reds are looking to build on their recent boost of confidence, while Brentford aim to continue their strong home form.
For Brentford, it’s been a bit of a roller coaster season with some good times and some bad times. Softfootball reported how they pulled in a big win against West Ham, defeating them 2-0 away from home. Under Keith Andrews, the Bees aim to play a clever, tactical game to frustrate stronger opponents, while also using their pace to catch teams off-guard.
Arne Slot (Photo Credit – Liverpool Official Website)
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the match between Liverpool and Brentford, Arne Slot highlighted the status of his players, Mohammed Salah’s form and the challenges of the match.
Arne Slot and Mohammed Salah (photo credit: Liverpool media)
Slot spoke in favor of Salah who has played a few matches without scoring, classifying the Egyptian star as one of the most reliable players in the team. He said:
The main thing is that Mo has always scored goals for our club. The last thing I worry about is Mo starting to score goals again because that’s what he’s done his whole life and what I expect him to do in the upcoming weeks and months for our club as well
When asked about the squad changes affect Salah’s form, the manager reflected on summer changes and their possible impact, saying:
It could. Not particularly maybe the right full-back, but it could [be]… for every player if you have quite a few changes in your squad during the summer then everyone needs to find new connections again… Mo is not an exception to this because he’s also a human being like all the others…
Curtis Jones (Photo Credit: Liverpool media)
Slot noted Curtis Jones’ commanding midfield display against Frankfurt, explaining the tactical setup behind his influence:
I’m not so surprised that he touched the ball a lot because I positioned him and Dom a bit lower… Curtis has played a very good game against Frankfurt.
Speaking on the challenge of selecting the best XI, Slot said:
It’s not only about new signings… It’s about a lot of very good players, so what is your best line-up? The team you face, the tactics the other team plays with, the form of the player and the connections between the players… you can also have moments in the season where things are a bit more difficult.
He added that integrating new signings in matches also plays a role:
It was maybe also the first time there was an opportunity to play with both Alex and Hugo because of Alex missing out for so long… certain players bring different characteristics.
Keith Andrews, the head coach of Brentford also spoke ahead of the match. As shared in the club’s verified X handle, He sounded positive on the team’s recent performance and talked about the need for improvements.
The performance levels of so many aspects on Monday were very pleasing. There’s always things you can tweak. Naturally you can become a little bit more demanding, and fine tune, when everybody is in a good place. We need to build on that
He also spoke about his team’s preparation for the match against Liverpool. He admitted that the game will be tough but his players are ready.
Keith Andrews on Liverpool gameplan
"We have to manage the game. We are well aware of the strengths that they have. We’ll see what their teamsheet brings tomorrow evening. We’ll be prepared for it and are really looking forward to it" pic.twitter.com/aqE8az4jRp
For Liverpool, Alexandra Isak’s coming back is in doubt especially as he had come off at half-time in the game with Eintracht Frankfurt because of his groin injury. It is also not certain if Ryan Gravenberch will be playing in the match because of his ankle injury. Jeremie Frimpong, Alisson Becker, and Giovanni Leoni remain out.
For Brentford, Antoni Milambo and Paris Maghoma will not play because of an ACL and thigh injuries respectively. There is doubt about Aaron Hickey because of a knock to his knee.
Possible Lineups:
Brentford (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Collins, Van den Berg, Pinnock; Kayode, Henderson, Yarmolyuk, Lewis-Potter; Damsgaard; Schade, Thiago
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley; Konaté; Virgil van Dijk; Robertson; Mac Allister; Jones; Salah; Szoboszlai; Gakpo; Ekitike.
Prediction:
With Liverpool’s superior quality, they could win with a 2-1 scoreline but Brentford will still make the game tough for them because of their strength at home.
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