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☆ Xabi Alonso: ‘Not winning treble with Bayer Leverkusen will make me a better manager’
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-04 | by ( Amanda Davies | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen are a living, breathing testament to that. “During the first weeks of the competition, I had a good feeling that we could make a good season. “For sure, I was not that optimistic that we could fight until the last week, but that we could have a good season? Could Leverkusen become just the second German team in history to complete a treble after Bayern Munich? “For the whole of Europe or even the whole world to see how good the teams are, how good the players are … it’s really, really important.

Persons: it’s, Xabi Alonso, they’ve, ‘, ’, ” Alonso, Amanda Davies, Alonso, ”, “, Francis Gonzalez, Granit, Victor Boniface, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Ina Fassbender, “ We’re, Alonso applauds, Alex Grimm, It’s, Atalanta, That’s, Premier League …, Hesham, Jeremie, Frimpong, ” It’s, Vincent Kompany, Arne, he’d Organizations: Italy CNN, Bayer Leverkusen, CNN, Globe Soccer, “, Real Madrid’s, Real, Sociedad, Real Sociedad, Real Sociedad B, Bundesliga, Champions, Champions League, Bayern Munich, –, Leverkusen, Real Madrid, League, Getty, Augsburg, Invincibles, Benfica, Atalanta, Europa League, Kaiserslautern, Leverkusen's Europa League, Borussia Dortmund, ‘ Farmers League, Liga, Premier League, – Bayern Munich, Liverpool Locations: Sardinia, Italy, AFP, Germany, Europe, Dortmund, San Francisco, Delhi, Liverpool, Merseyside

☆ Why We Should Have Nice Things
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Rory Smith | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

All being well, Bayer Leverkusen will end this season with one record, two trophies and just three haunting, existential questions. Could Leverkusen’s manager, Xabi Alonso, have steered his team to an unbeaten treble? Leverkusen has, after all, illuminated the European season like no other team. It has overtaken Benfica as the owner of the longest unbeaten run in European soccer since World War I. And it has done it all, in case nobody has mentioned it, in Alonso’s first full season in management.

Persons: Exequiel Palacios, Ademola, Granit Xhaka, Edmond Tapsoba, Xabi Alonso Organizations: Bayer Leverkusen, Europa League, Leverkusen, Atalanta, Benfica Locations: Dublin

☆ Bayer Leverkusen produces astonishing comeback to go 49 games unbeaten and reach Europa League final
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Bayer Leverkusen’s remarkable season took another extraordinary turn on Thursday as a late 2-2 draw against AS Roma stretched the club’s unbeaten run to 49 games. The 4-2 aggregate victory saw Leverkusen reach a first European final in 22 years, while Josip Stanišić’s 97th-minute strike ensured that the recently-crowned German champion remains undefeated this season. It means that Leverkusen has now surpassed Portuguese team Benfica’s record from 1963-65 for the longest unbeaten run across all top-level matches since the introduction of European competitions, according to UEFA. “It says a lot about the team, the conviction that we have and it’s great to finally reach the final. According to UEFA, Scottish side Celtic’s unbeaten run of 62 games between 1915 and 1917 is the outright record for a European club, although that only included domestic league matches.

Persons: CNN — Bayer, Josip Stanišić’s, Leandro Paredes, Gianluca Mancini’s, Stanišić, Ina Fassbender, “, Xabi Alonso, ”, Chris Brunskill, Granit Xhaka Organizations: CNN, AS Roma, Leverkusen, UEFA, Roma, Getty, Bundesliga, ” Leverkusen, Atalanta, Europa League, Atlanta, FC Kaiserslautern, VfL Bochum, Scottish, Bochum Locations: AFP, Dublin, Ireland, European, Augsburg

☆ Bayer Leverkusen: German club equals 59-year-old record as unbeaten season continues
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —German team Bayer Leverkusen extended its miraculous unbeaten run to 48 games on Sunday after thrashing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in the Bundesliga. The win means that Leverkusen has now equaled the record for the longest unbeaten run across all top-level matches since the introduction of European competition, according to UEFA. Leverkusen will have the chance to break the record on Thursday when it plays Roma in the second leg of its Europa League semifinal. The all-time mark of 62 games unbeaten was set by Scottish club Celtic from 1915-1917, however, those matches were all in the domestic league. The next game is important for us, the second leg of the Europa League semifinal: a chance to reach the final.

Persons: Granit Xhaka, Patrik Schick, Exequiel Palacios, Jeremie Frimpong, Victor Okoh Boniface –, Roma, ”, Xabi Alonso, Kirill Kudryavtsev, Alonso, ” Alonso, “ Organizations: CNN, Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt, Bundesliga, Leverkusen, Frankfurt’s Deutsche Bank, UEFA, Benfica, Europa League, Celtic, Bayern, Spain, VfL Bochum, FC Kaiserslautern, Roma, “ Locations: Scottish, AFP, Augsburg

☆ Soccer-Bayern still a work in progress with Bundesliga season set to start
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The Bavarians have won the last 11 consecutive league crowns but they needed a Borussia Dortmund slip-up on the final matchday last season to retain it. A 3-0 loss to RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup at home on Saturday left Tuchel, who took over from Julian Nagelsmann late last season, fuming. Kane's German debut, with a low-key substitute appearance in the second half of their Super Cup loss, did little to dampen Bayern fans' enthusiasm and expectations. Their Super Cup win over Bayern gave them an early shot of confidence but they will have to repeat it again on Saturday when they face ambitious Leverkusen in their season opener. "We can improve many things but this obviously did give us a push," said Leipzig coach Marco Rose of the win against Bayern.

Persons: Thomas Tuchel, Harry Kane, Kai Pfaffenbach, Robert Lewandowski, Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann, Manuel Neuer, Kim Min, jae, Felix Nmecha, Marcel Sabitzer, Rami Bensebaini, Granit Xhaka, Victor Boniface, Jonas Hofmann, Christopher Nkunku, Konrad Laimer, Dominik Szoboszlai, Josko Gvardiol, Andre Silva, Marco Rose, Robin Gosens, Karolos, Robert Birsel Organizations: Soccer Football, DFL, Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig, Allianz Arena, REUTERS, Rights, Bundesliga, Werder Bremen, Borussia Dortmund, Bayern, Tottenham Hotspur, Borussia, Bayer Leverkusen, Germany, Leverkusen, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Munich, Germany, Barcelona, Napoli, Leipzig, Union Berlin

☆ Fuelled by Rice, Arsenal ready for next step in title race
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-04 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Those three signings were all completed early in the close4 season meaning Arsenal should be ready to hit the ground running when they kick off at home to Nottingham Forest next Saturday. While Rice's price tag appears over-inflated, he looks capable of giving Arsenal the drive their midfield began to lack in the closing months of the campaign. Timber offers the sort of defensive depth Arsenal sadly lacked after France's William Saliba was injured in March. "The players will have learned a hell of a lot with that title run, and this year is about going that one step ahead. ($1 = 0.7843 pounds)($1 = 0.9112 euros)Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Arsenal's Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, Peter Cziborra, Mikel Arteta's, Kai Havertz, Martin Odegaard, Havertz, Mikel Arteta, Granit Xhaka, William Saliba, Gabriel Martinelli, Gabriel Jesus, Rice, Arsenal's, Martyn Herman, Ken Ferris Organizations: Soccer, Arsenal, AS Monaco, Emirates, Peter Cziborra LONDON, Manchester City's, Premier League, City . Arsenal, West Ham United, Ajax Amsterdam, Nottingham Forest, Bayer Leverkusen, Timber, City, Barcelona, Thomson Locations: London, Britain, West, Chelsea, Arsenal's, California

☆ Everton survive as Leicester and Leeds are relegated on dramatic final day
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

The Merseyside club's 69-year stay in the top flight was in peril at halftime as they were drawing 0-0 and 2016 champions Leicester were ahead against West Ham United. That combination of results meant Everton were in the relegation zone but Abdoulaye Doucoure's stunning 57th minute right-foot strike from outside the area earned Everton the victory they required. The final whistle prompted a pitch invasion with smoke from blue flares drifting across the old stadium that will host top-flight football again after another Everton escape. Everton ended in 17th place on 36 points after 38 games, with Leicester in 18th on 34 and Leeds on 31. EVERTON RELIEFThe celebrations at Everton were more of relief than pride as the famous old club once again found itself battling not for silverware but to avoid relegation.

☆ Arsenal return to top of the league with 3-1 win over sorry Chelsea
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( William Schomberg | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, May 2 (Reuters) - Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over a woeful Chelsea, set on their way by two goals from Martin Odegaard, but the title is still Manchester City's to lose having played two games less than the leaders. After losing to City 4-1 last week, Mikel Arteta made three changes, including giving striker Leandro Trossard a start in the place of Gabriel Martinelli and handing Jakub Kiwior his first league start in midfield. His side dominated their slumping London rivals straight from the kick-off as they sought to shake off last week's potentially title-deciding setback. "Everyone was so hurt after the game (against City)," Odegaard said after taking his league goal tally for the season to 14. ($1 = 0.8024 pounds)Reporting by William Schomberg Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Arsenal return to top of the league with 3-1 win over Chelsea
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, May 2 (Reuters) - Arsenal returned to the top of the Premier League on Tuesday with a 3-1 win over a woeful Chelsea, set on their way by two goals from Martin Odegaard, but the title is still Manchester City's to lose having played two games less than the leaders. Arsenal raced into a 3-0 halftime lead when captain Odegaard was given acres of space - twice - by Chelsea's flimsy defence to score in the 18th and 31st minutes, and Gabriel Jesus converted from close-range 11 minutes before the break. Arsenal's first win in five games took them to 78 points, two more than second-placed City who have the chance to reclaim top spot when they host West Ham United on Wednesday. Granit Xhaka, who provided assists for both Odegaard's strikes, almost opened the scoring himself in the opening minutes but he was thwarted by Kepa Arrizabalaga who went on to make saves in the second half that prevented an Arsenal rout. Reporting by William Schomberg Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Arsenal denied huge win as Liverpool hit back to draw
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LIVERPOOL, England, April 9 (Reuters) - Arsenal's grip on the Premier League title race was loosened as Liverpool produced a storming comeback to snatch a 2-2 draw in super-charged clash at a raucous Anfield on Sunday. The north Londoners were heading for a first league win at Liverpool since 2012, an eighth successive league win and a massive three points in their quest to win the league as they powered into a 2-0 lead. Arsenal have 73 points from 30 games, while Liverpool are eighth with 44 points. The game was under control but after that we concede a really sloppy goal and the game shifted momentum," Arsenal manager Arteta said. Liverpool took charge after the break and were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute after Rob Holding fouled Jota.

☆ Arsenal rue loss of discipline as they squander two-goal lead against Liverpool
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Still, the mood in the dressing room after Sunday's edge-of-seat drama was about two points lost than the one salvaged, manager Mikel Arteta said. "Super intense match," Arteta said. "We relied on big defensive moments where Aaron took a big part," Arteta said. Arsenal's lead was cut to six points, with City having a game in hand. The result set up what should be a thrilling match between the two at City's Etihad home on April 26.

☆ Soccer-Leaders Arsenal respond in style after Man City thrash Liverpool
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Arsenal's seventh successive league win moved them to 72 points from 29 games with City, who still have to play the London club at home, on 64 having played one game less. Jean-Philippe Mateta's late goal sparked jubilation amongst the home fans as Palace moved into 12th place with 30 points, five points ahead of third-from-bottom Leicester. Pressure is intensifying on Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers as his side lost for the fifth time in six league games. Nottingham Forest and Wolverhampton Wanderers drew 1-1 at the City Ground as both clubs stayed far too close to the relegation zone for comfort. The result took both teams above Liverpool with Brighton in sixth place and Brentford in seventh.

☆ Jesus at the double as Arsenal steam on towards title
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Jesus, starting a league game for the first time since returning from a knee injury last month, converted a 35th-minute penalty after being clipped in the box by Luke Ayling. Ben White doubled Arsenal's advantage from Gabriel Martinelli's pass before Brazilian Jesus, signed from Manchester City last summer, struck again from close range in the 55th minute from Leandro Trossard's assist. Leeds had troubled Arsenal in the opening period but once Jesus put the hosts ahead it was relatively plain sailing as they restored their eight-point lead over champions Man City. The most important thing is that everyone that has come in has played good," Jesus said. His persistence and trickery earned Arsenal a nerve-settling penalty on Saturday as he jinked into the box and Ayling, rather unluckily, conceded the spot kick as Jesus tumbled.

☆ Saka double against Palace sends Arsenal eight points clear at the top
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, March 19 (Reuters) - Arsenal will head into the international break eight points clear in the Premier League title race after Bukayo Saka scored twice in a 4-1 home defeat of Crystal Palace on Sunday. With chasers Manchester City otherwise engaged this weekend in the FA Cup, Arsenal took full advantage with Gabriel Martinelli opening the scoring and Granit Xhaka also on target. Arsenal now have 69 points from 28 games with reigning champions City on 61 with a game in hand. Saka then doubled the lead in the 43rd when he guided home a low shot from Ben White's pass. Palace, who sacked manager Patrick Vieira this week, stay in 12th place but are only three points above the relegation zone.

☆ Arsenal have history on side in title race with City
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The victory, clinched by Eddie Nketiah's stoppage-time strike, saw Arsenal become only the fifth team in Premier League history to hit 50 points from their first 19 games. Only Liverpool in 2018-19 failed to take the title after hitting 51 points from 19 matches, being edged by Manchester City after squandering a seven-point lead. Arsenal have a smaller advantage over City than Liverpool did, leading Pep Guardiola's side by five points, and they have played one game fewer. They've still got to play Manchester City twice and they've got them on their shoulders," he said. "They're a massive powerhouse, Manchester City and Pep Guardiola.

☆ Leaders Arsenal held by Newcastle, Man United win again
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Manchester United cemented their top-four place, moving level on points with Newcastle as goals by Casemiro, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford sealed a 3-0 victory at Old Trafford. Arsenal, who failed to score for the first time this season in all competitions, have 44 points from 17 games with champions Manchester City on 36 after playing 16. Newcastle have 35 from 18 matches, ahead of United on goal difference although they have played a game more. Manchester United are now five points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur after a fourth successive league win. United are back in action on Friday when they host Everton in the FA Cup third round.

☆ Analysis: No hiding for flying Swiss as they reach knockout phase again
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

They have now reached the knockout phase in every World Cup or European championship since 2014 and even if they have never gone past the last eight, they cannot be regarded as a surprise package anymore. "It's the best Swiss national team that ever existed," coach Murat Yakin said before their opening game, a clinical 1-0 win against Cameroon. He was also in the build-up of the third as he clipped the decisive ball into the box after Breel Embolo had levelled with his second World Cup goal. "The dual nationals have brought an extra touch of soul," former Swiss international Stephane Grichting said. Adding to the Swiss confidence is their U-17 World Cup campaign in 2009, when they beat Brazil on they way to the title.

☆ Slick Switzerland edge Serbia in goalfest to reach last 16
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-02 | by ( Hritika Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

DOHA, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Switzerland reached the World Cup knockout phase for the third straight time after prevailing 3-2 over Serbia on Friday to finish runners-up in Group G and set up a last 16 showdown with Portugal. But Switzerland resolutely saw out the win, and finished second in Group G behind Brazil on goal difference. Switzerland have now reached the last 16 of every World Cup and European Championship since 2014 and will meet Group H winners Portugal on Tuesday for a place in the quarter-finals. Serbia, who needed a win to give themselves a chance of advancing, finished bottom of the group with only one point. They have never moved past the World Cup group stage since the break-up of Yugoslavia.

☆ Switzerland clash with Serbia revives memories of political tensions
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-30 | by ( Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

DOHA, Nov 30 (Reuters) - Switzerland and Serbia will battle for Group G's last spot in the knockout stage on Friday in a rematch of the 2018 World Cup clash that could reignite political tensions between the teams. Switzerland, on three points, look well-placed to join Brazil in the last 16. Switzerland and Serbia -- who along with Cameroon need a win for a chance to advance -- have only played each other once, in the group stage of the 2018 World Cup. That match remains etched in the memory of fans as one with heavy political undertones. The Football Federation of Kosovo, which became a member of European soccer's governing body UEFA and FIFA in 2016, decried the "aggressive action" undertaken by Serbia.

☆ Swiss eye strong start in World Cup opener versus Cameroon
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AL RAYYAN, Qatar, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Switzerland hope to secure early points in a tough Group G when they face Cameroon in their World Cup opener on Thursday after a year of solid performances on the European stage. The Swiss reached the Euro 2020 quarter-finals before losing a penalty shootout to Spain. They also finished ahead of Italy in their World Cup qualifying group to avoid the playoffs. But Cameroon -- playing in an eighth World Cup, a record number of appearances for an African nation -- have failed to leave their mark at the finals since the 1990 edition of the tournament, when they dazzled by reaching the quarter-finals. Cameroon will aim to at least get another World Cup victory this time, a task that could prove difficult for a side that qualified thanks to a stoppage-time goal at the end of extra time in the second leg of their playoff tie away to Algeria.

☆ Every World Cup 2022 squad announced: USMNT, Germany, Belgium and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —‘Tis the season for wall charts and fans gathering around to pick their starting teams for the 2022 Qatar World Cup. “It’s always difficult when a guy helps you get to the World Cup, he scores three goals in World Cup qualifying and isn’t going to be a part of the program. Again, it’s more about who we did add that we felt good about.”All but one of the 26 will be making their World Cup debut at this year’s tournament and, according to the USMNT, it will be the youngest team to qualify for the World Cup. Octavio Passos/Getty Images Europe/Getty ImagesGhanaManager: Otto AddoThe final squad has not been announced yet. READ: Meet Otto Addo, the coach responsible for guiding some of Europe’s brightest young talents (2021)—–PortugalManager: Fernando SantosThe final squad has not been announced yet.

☆ Arsenal: Cautious optimism surrounds resurgence with fans uniting behind Mikel Arteta
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Ben Church | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

The men’s team sits atop the English Premier League, with a manager full of ideas and a fearless new generation breaking through into the first team. Arteta’s Arsenal now leads Manchester City in the Premier League – a team that is touted for greatness – and shows very little signs of slowing down. He took his shirt off, swore at the Arsenal fans and stormed down the tunnel in what looked to be his last act as a player for the club. The realistic expectation, then, is not necessarily to win the Premier League title but to cement itself back in the Champions League. The Premier League will pause for over a month as many of Arsenal’s players will travel to the Gulf nation to join their respective teams.

☆ Battling Saints hold league leaders Arsenal to 1-1 draw
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Soccer Football - Premier League - Southampton v Arsenal - St Mary's Stadium, Southampton, Britain - October 23, 2022 Arsenal's Granit Xhaka celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Dylan Martinez EDITORIAL USE ONLY. SOUTHAMPTON, England, Oct 23 (Reuters) - Granit Xhaka scored a superb early goal but Premier League leaders Arsenal were held to a 1-1 draw by Southampton on Sunday as Stuart Armstrong netted a deserved second-half equaliser for the home side. The result moved Arsenal to 28 points from 11 games, two ahead of second-placed Manchester City, while Southampton are 15th with 12 points from 12 games. A quick counter-attack on 65 minutes drew reward when Mohamed Elyounoussi slipped the ball into the path of Armstrong, who was composed with his finish past goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Nick Said, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

"I have a feeling that we lost two points, especially with the way we started the game and the chances we had," Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said. Newcastle have already drawn with Manchester City and Manchester United this season and their only loss was a stoppage-time defeat by Liverpool. Sunday's win at Tottenham sent the clearest message yet that they can challenge for a Champions League berth. Harry Kane pulled one back for third-placed Tottenham in the 54th minute with his 10th goal of the season but Newcastle comfortably held on for the points. "Real pride in the players today and great to be part of those scenes," Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, who took over last year with the club heading towards relegation, told reporters.

☆ Arsenal a întrerupt seria de 7 meciuri fără victorie în Premier League
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-27 | by ( Publika.Md - Aici Sunt Știrile | ) www.publika.md time to read: +1 min

Arsenal a întrerupt seria de 7 meciuri fără victorie în Premier League. Alexandre Lacazette a deschis scorul din penalty minutul 34, iar Granit Xhaka a executat superb o lovitură liberă peste doar 10 minute. Golul a fost validat după ce arbitrii au urmărit reluările video și au stabilit că atacantul s-a aflat într-o poziție regulamentară. În prelungiri "aristocrații" au beneficiat și de un penalty, care a fost însă ratat de Jorginho. Ilkay Gundogan a deschis scorul în minutul 14,în urma unei pase perfecte oferite de Raheem Sterling.

Persons: Mikel Arteta, Alexandre Lacazette, Abraham, Raheem Sterling, Ferran Torres Organizations: Arsenal, Premier League, Chelsea, Manchester City, Newcastle United, Ilkay, Raheem, City Locations: Londrei

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