FOOTBALL
World War II bomb disrupts Bayern’s travel plans
Clubs often have to cancel their scheduled trips because of weather hazards.
Bayern Munich, however, had to delay their flight back home under unusual circumstances.
An unexploded World War II era bomb has kept the Bavarians stuck in the Northern German city of Bremen.
The record Bundesliga champions took on Oberliga club Bremer SV in the first round of DFB Pokal. Bayern rested some of their key players for the tie, but the German fifth tier club was still no match for the Munich outfit.
Bayern struck a dozen past Bremer’s net to bring them an emphatic 12-0 win.
It is Bayern’s largest win since their 16-1 thumping of DJK Waldberg in August, 1997. Coincidentally, that was a Pokal first round tie as well.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting made the best out of the opportunity he had and bagged four goals and three assists.
Jamal Musaila hit a brace and the other six goals were scored by Leroy Sane, Corentin Tolisso, Bouna Sarr, Malik Tillman, Michael Cuisance and Jan-Luca Warm, who scored an unfortunate own goal.
Julian Nagelsmann didn’t bring along players like Robert Lewandowski, Manuel Neuer, and Leon Goretzka to Bremen. Alphonso Davies, Serge Gnabry, and Dayot Upamecano watched on from the bench.
After this triumphant victory, Bayern players were packing up their bags to head for the airport. But, the discovery of an eighty year old, World War II relic canceled their homebound journey.
During an excavation in the Habenhausen area, the 500kg bomb was found. Experts believe the bomb was dropped by the US air force during a WWII air raid.
The area is in close proximity to the Bremen airport. To safely defuse the bomb, local authorities evacuated the area and sealed off the airport. Thereby, forcing the Bayern contingent to prolong their stay at the city.
Bayern Munich are expected to return on Thursday, but they won’t have much time to prepare for their weekend Bundesliga meeting.
The reigning champions will welcome Hertha Berlin on Saturday. So, the squad won’t have much time to shrug off jetlag.
However, such an experience is not new to Bayern players. Last year, the flight scheduled to take Bayern to Qatar for the Club World Cup got cancelled.
Foggy weather made it impossible for the plane to take off from the runway. So, the team had to wait at the airport whole night and catch the flight in the morning.
FOOTBALL
Pep Guardiola Shoulders Responsibility for Manchester City Loss to United
Pep Guardiola blames himself! Pep Guardiola took full responsibility for Manchester City’s disappointing 2-1 defeat against Manchester United, admitting he “was not good enough.” The loss came in a closely contested derby that saw United capitalize on critical moments, leaving City to rue missed opportunities. Guardiola’s tactical decisions have come under scrutiny, with some analysts suggesting changes in formation or lineup may have been necessary to counter United’s gameplay.
Speaking to the press, Guardiola emphasized that the blame for the defeat lies with him. “I’m not good enough. I didn’t make the right decisions today,” he said, reflecting on the team’s performance. City started strongly, controlling possession and creating early chances, but United’s resilience and counterattacking strategy ultimately sealed the match in their favor. Pep Guardiola blames himself!
The result leaves Manchester City trailing in the league standings, with increasing pressure to secure consistent wins to stay competitive in the title race. Guardiola, however, remained optimistic, urging his squad to learn from the loss and focus on upcoming matches. Meanwhile, United celebrated a crucial victory that solidified their standing as strong contenders this season.
Fans and pundits alike are debating Guardiola’s admission, as City look to bounce back in their next fixture.
FOOTBALL
Bengaluru FC Aim to Leverage Home Advantage to End FC Goa’s Winning Streak
In the upcoming Indian Super League (ISL) fixture, Bengaluru FC is set to host FC Goa at the Kanteerava Stadium, hoping to end Goa’s impressive unbeaten streak and claim a crucial three points. With Bengaluru’s strong home record, they look to exploit the advantage of playing in front of their passionate supporters to halt Goa’s momentum.
Bengaluru FC, who have been inconsistent this season, will be aiming to regroup and put their best foot forward in this clash. Their attacking options, led by the experienced Sunil Chhetri, will be key as they face one of the most solid sides in the league. Despite their inconsistency, Bengaluru will be looking to ride the wave of support from their home crowd and create the chances needed to break down Goa’s defense.
On the other hand, FC Goa comes into this match riding high on confidence, having remained unbeaten for a considerable stretch. Their well-balanced squad, with notable players like Edu Bedia and Jorge Ortiz, have been a force to reckon with. Goa’s fluid passing game and lethal counter-attacks have made them a tough opponent this season, and they will be keen to extend their winning run.
Bengaluru FC’s defense will be tested as FC Goa’s potent attack looks to exploit any gaps in the backline. Bengaluru’s defense, led by the experienced Juanan and the dynamic Sandesh Jhingan, will need to remain sharp and organized to limit Goa’s chances. If Bengaluru can shut down the creative outlets of Goa, they stand a good chance of taking the upper hand in this high-stakes encounter.
With both teams needing points for different reasons, this match promises to be a thrilling contest. Bengaluru FC is looking to put their recent struggles behind them, while FC Goa is keen on extending their unbeaten run. As the match approaches, the battle between Bengaluru FC’s home advantage and FC Goa’s unstoppable momentum is sure to capture the imagination of fans.
FOOTBALL
‘They have to be favourites’ – Liverpool ‘perfect’ in Champions League
Liverpool’s impeccable start to the season has made them strong contenders for the Champions League. After securing a place in the knockout rounds with a win over Girona, they’ve maintained a perfect European record.
Rio Ferdinand praised their momentum, highlighting their position as favorites based on form, though he cautioned that freshness, particularly for key players like Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah, will be crucial. Stephen Warnock echoed this sentiment, noting that Liverpool is a formidable opponent in both the Premier League and Champions League.
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