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☆ Wolfsburg stun holders Leipzig 1-0 to end their winning run in German Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WOLFSBURG, Germany, Oct 31 (Reuters) - VfL Wolfsburg beat RB Leipzig 1-0 courtesy of Vaclav Cerny's first-half goal to eliminate the holders in the German Cup second round and put an end to their two year-reign in the competition. Leipzig, winners in 2022 and 2023 as well as finalists in 2021, were reduced to 10 men early in the second half after Yussuf Poulsen was sent off following a second booking. The Czech winger should have scored a second goal 10 minutes later when a misunderstanding in the Leipzig defence sent him clear on goal once more but he miskicked and fired wide. Leipzig looked more aggressive after the break and hit the woodwork through David Raum. Reporting by Karolos Grohmann Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Vaclav Cerny's, Yussuf Poulsen, Cerny, Tiago Tomas, miskicked, David Raum, Poulsen, Jan Vranckx, Dane, Karolos, Toby Davis Organizations: VfL Wolfsburg, RB Leipzig, Leipzig, Bundesliga, VfB Stuttgart, Champions League, Union Berlin, Bayern, Borussia Dortmund, Hoffenheim, Thomson Locations: WOLFSBURG, Germany, Czech, Leipzig, Bayern Munich, Saarbruecken

☆ Al-Dawsari, Kerr take Asian confederation's Player of the Year awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Michael Church | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 31 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Salem Al-Dawsari has been named the Asian Football Confederation's Player of the Year with Chelsea and Australia forward Sam Kerr taking the women's title at the regional body's awards ceremony in Doha on Tuesday. Al-Dawsari, who scored Saudi Arabia's winner in their shock 2-1 victory over Argentina at the World Cup last year, took the men's award after also leading Al-Hilal to the final of the Asian Champions League and the Club World Cup. The awards were being held for the first time in four years as a result of the disruption caused to the game across the continent by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kerr, who on Monday had finished as runner-up in the Ballon d'Or vote in Paris, won her award for the second time having previously been named the confederation's best female player in 2017. Shui Qingxia claimed the honours in the women's coaching category after she led China to the Women's Asian Cup last February in India, the country's first continental title since 2006.

Persons: Salem, Dawsari, Sam Kerr, Qatar's Almoez Ali, Mathew Leckie of, Kerr, Aya Miyama, Homare Sawa, China's Zhang Linyang, Saki Kumagai, Japan's Hajime Moriyasu, Shui Qingxia, Michael Church, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Football, Chelsea, Saudi Arabia's, Asian Champions League, Thomson Locations: Saudi, Australia, Doha, Argentina, Al, Hilal, Saudi Arabia, Paris, China's, Japan, Germany, Spain, China, India

☆ Fact Check: Brazil soccer fans video shared as pro-Palestinian rally in France
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A video of soccer fans walking to the Oct. 5 Copa Libertadores semi-final between Palmeiras and Boca Juniors has been mislabeled online as showing a pro-Palestinian rally in France. The nighttime video of a large column of people was also shared on Facebook. The video, however, was posted on X on Oct. 5 by a Brazilian football page called “Planeta do Futebol” and was credited to sports journalist Marcela Rafael. Rafael told Reuters in an email that the video shows fans of Brazil’s Palmeiras team before a match against the Argentine Boca Juniors in the Copa Libertadores, the South American equivalent of Europe's Champions League. The video shows soccer fans heading to watch a match in Sao Paolo, not a pro-Palestinian protest in France.

Persons: Marcela Rafael, Rafael, Rua Jose Benedito Boneli, Read Organizations: Copa Libertadores, Palmeiras, Boca Juniors, “, Palestine, Twitter, Facebook, Hamas, Reuters, Planeta, Futebol, Argentine Boca Juniors, Europe's Champions, Allianz Parque, Thomson Locations: France, “ France, Palestine, Israel, Palestinian, Sao Paolo

☆ Let’s quit the talking and deliver at Euro 2024, says Bellingham
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Bellingham, 20, has been in ominous form with Real after joining from Borussia Dortmund during the close season, scoring 13 goals from 13 competitive matches. "Really grateful to Dortmund for the opportunities they gave me over the years to be a leading player," Bellingham told Reuters after receiving the trophy at the Ballon d'Or ceremony. Bellingham now hopes to win the Champions League and Euro 2024 with England, who he hopes will finally claim a major trophy in modern times. "Definitely confident, definitely (England are) one of the favourites going into the (Euro 2024) tournament. "It’s important that we quit the talking and finally perform for our fans."

Persons: Jude Bellingham, Stephanie Lecocq, Bellingham, I’ve, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, Chatelet Theatre, Rights, Real Madrid, Real, Borussia Dortmund, Reuters, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Paris, France, England, Bellingham, Dortmund

☆ Women's Ballon d'Or win testimony to Spain's football culture, says Bonmati
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Oct 30 (Reuters) - Winning the women's Ballon d'Or is a testimony to Spain's football culture, this year's winner Aitana Bonmati said after her triumph kept the trophy in the country for the third year in a row on Monday. Bonmati, a Champions League winner with Barcelona and World Cup winner with Spain, succeeds fellow Spaniard Alexia Putellas, who was also the 2021 winner. In recent years we have achieved a lot with our clubs and the national team," Bonmati told reporters. Being at the great gala of world football is unique and to be valued," the 25-year-old said. "I play for a big club and for the national team.

Persons: Aitana Bonmati, Alexia Putellas, Bonmati, you've, haven't, Julien Pretot Organizations: Champions League, Barcelona, we've, Thomson Locations: Spain

☆ NEC Nijmegen striker Dost recovering after collapsing on pitch
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The 34-year-old former Netherlands international, who regained consciousness and was carried off the field, later said on NEC's social media that he was feeling good. Bas Dost collapsed on the field and was immediately helped by all the emergency services present," NEC said in a statement on their website. "Dost was carried from the field by the emergency services and taken to hospital." Players from both teams stood around Dost, who scored the opening goal and provided the assist for NEC's second, while he was being treated. AZ posted a message saying: "Bas Dost is fortunately conscious.

Persons: Dost, Annegret, Bas Dost, Ken Ferris, Stephen Coates Organizations: Soccer Football, Leipzig, Club Brugge, Red Bull, Brugge's, REUTERS, NEC Nijmegen, AZ Alkmaar, NEC, Thomson Locations: Leipzig, Germany, Bas, Netherlands

PARIS, France (AP) — Lionel Messi is the favorite to win a record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or in Paris on Monday. Spain’s Aitana Bonmati is the favorite for the women’s award after leading her country to victory at the Women’s World Cup in August. But it is Messi who is favored to lift the Ballon d'Or, which is awarded to the best player in the world that year. His first Ballon d'Or was in 2009. The Ballon d'Or ceremony is scheduled to start at 19:30 GMT.

Persons: — Lionel Messi, Spain’s, Messi, Germain, Erling Haaland, Ballon Organizations: MLS, Inter Miami, Leagues, Paris Saint, Manchester City, Premier League, Champions League, FA Locations: PARIS, France, Ballon, Paris, Argentine, Qatar, U.S, City

☆ Celtic midfielder Hatate sidelined two months with hamstring injury
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 30 (Reuters) - Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate will be out until after Christmas after picking up a hamstring injury in their Champions League 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid, coach Brendan Rodgers said on Monday. "We are not 100 per cent on the exact timings, but he is certainly going to be out until after Christmas, we think," said Rodgers. Hatate, who last month signed a contract extension with Celtic until 2028, also missed six weeks last season with the same injury to his other leg, and was out a month with a calf injury earlier this campaign. They face the same opponent on Jan. 2, when Hatate could return to action. Reporting by Janina Nuno Rios in Mexico City Editing by Christian RadnedgeOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Reo Hatate, Brendan Rodgers, Rodgers, Hatate, Janina Nuno Rios, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Celtic, Champions League, Atletico Madrid, Atletico, St Mirren, Scottish, Wednesday, Thomson Locations: Japan, Mexico

☆ Ballon d’Or: Lionel Messi and Aitana Bonmatí win men’s and women’s awards
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( George Ramsay | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —Lionel Messi won a record-extending eighth Ballon d’Or on Monday, while Barcelona and Spain star Aitana Bonmatí won the Ballon d’Or Féminin – the annual soccer awards celebrating the best players in the men’s and women’s game. This [award] is also for you, I share it with you and with all of Argentina.”Barça and Spain midfielder Aitana Bonmati receives the Woman Ballon d'Or award during the 2023 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony on October 30. “I’m very proud to receive the Ballon d’Or tonight. In both places, I have the best teammates next to me that make me better every day.”Aitana Bonmatí has won the Ballon d'Or Féminin for the first time. Barcelona Femení won Women’s Club of the Year for its standout year, which included three titles – Liga F, the Spanish Super Cup and the Women’s Champions League – and having a roster which included six Ballon d’Or Féminin nominees, including the winner, Bonmatí.

Persons: Lionel Messi, Ballon d’Or, Aitana Bonmatí, Féminin, Messi, Ballon, Erling Haaland, Germain, Kylian, “, I’ve, ”, David Beckham, Aitana, ” Messi, Odd Andersen, Diego Maradona, Diego, Maradona, ” Barça, Aitana Bonmati, Franck Fife, ” Bonmatí, Novak Djokovic, haven’t, ” Aitana Bonmatí, Javier Borrego, Alexia Putellas, Sam Kerr, Bonmatí’s, Salma Paralluelo, Jude Bellingham, Gerd Müller, Stefan Wermuth, Pep Guardiola’s, Barcelona Femení, d’Or Féminin, Bonmatí, Ballon d’Or Lionel Messi, Argentina Ballon, Spain Gerd Müller, Striker, Emiliano Martínez, Socrates, Vinícius Jr Organizations: CNN, Argentina’s, Inter Miami star’s, Manchester City, Paris Saint, Inter Miami, Argentina –, Copa América, Getty, Argentina national, …, Copa, France Football, Barcelona, Liga, League, Wolfsburg, world’s, FC Barcelona, Europa Press, Chelsea, Roja, Bellingham, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, German, FA, Men’s Club, pipping Inter Milan, Women’s Club, Spanish, Women’s, League –, Norway Yashin, Aston Villa, Argentina Kopa, Real, Brazil Men’s Club, Year Manchester City Women’s Club Locations: Barcelona, Spain, Paris, Argentina, Qatar, Argentine, AFP, Australia, New Zealand, Barça, Spanish, Bellingham, Los, Madrid, El Clásico, Manchester, Istanbul, Bonmatí, Manchester City, Norway, Real Madrid, Brazil

☆ United manager Ten Hag says derby loss one of most disappointing days of his tenure
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-29 | by ( Lori Ewing | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MANCHESTER, England, Oct 29 (Reuters) - In what is turning into a miserable season for Manchester United, manager Erik ten Hag said Sunday's 3-0 demolition by local rivals Manchester City at Old Trafford was one of the most disappointing days in his tenure with the team. Asked if Sunday was one of his worst days in the job, the downcast manager told reporters: "Yes. "When you lose a derby in the way we lose is disappointing. First half we had a very good game plan and the execution was very good and then the penalty changed the moment." Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville called United's loss "appalling" on Sky Sports.

Persons: Erik ten Hag, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, United, Scott McTominay's, Ederson, Pep Guardiola, Guardiola, Gary Neville, Roy Keane, they've, Lori Ewing, Clare Fallon Organizations: Manchester United, Manchester City, United, League, Manchester, City, Premier League, Old, Former Manchester United, Sky Sports, Thomson Locations: MANCHESTER, England, Old Trafford, Copenhagen

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Barcelona coach Xavi Hernández is keeping his cards close to his chest before the first “clasico” of the season. They all returned to training Friday, a day before Madrid arrives with a one-point lead in the Spanish league standings. “I will play my best players, those that are 100% ready,” the Barcelona coach said. Political Cartoons View All 1223 ImagesMadrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said he wasn't worried who played for Barcelona as long as Jude Bellingham was ready to go. Regardless of who plays for the host team, Xavi has a huge task in finding a way to stop Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior.

Persons: Xavi Hernández, Robert Lewandowksi, de Jong, Pedri González, Jules Koundé, “, Ferran Torres, Carlo Ancelotti, wasn't, Jude Bellingham, Bellingham, Ancelotti, Xavi, Vinícius, ” Xavi, Ronald Araújo, De Jong, Oriol Romeu, Gavi Paéz, “ Oriol, ” Bellingham, Karim Benzema’s, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Luka Modric, Eduardo Camavinga, “ Camavinga, Mendy, ” Ancelotti, Yamal, Fermín López Organizations: —, Madrid, Barcelona, Braga, Champions League, Bellingham, Manchester, Xavi’s, La Masia, Shakhtar Donetsk Locations: BARCELONA, Spain, — Barcelona, Barcelona, Lewandowski, Poland, Bellingham, Manchester City, Madrid, Saudi Arabia

☆ Man Utd's Onana supports Garnacho over gorilla emoji post
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 27 (Reuters) - Manchester United's goalkeeper, Andre Onana, said teammate Alejandro Garnacho should not face any repercussions for his use of gorilla emojis in a recent social media post. Garnacho later deleted the post, but English media reported that the Football Association (FA) had been made aware of the post and contacted the Argentinian. This matter should go no further," Onana wrote on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. loadingGarnacho has made no comment about his deleted post or about being contacted by the FA. However, Man U could have dropped two points if Onana hadn't saved Jordan Larsson's penalty several minutes into stoppage time.

Persons: Andre Onana, Alejandro Garnacho, Garnacho, Onana, Harry Maguire, Onana hadn't, Jordan Larsson's, Tommy Lund, Tom Hogue Organizations: Manchester United's, FC Copenhagen, Football Association, FA, United, Champions League, Thomson Locations: Gdansk

☆ Last two Scudetto winners come face to face as Napoli host Milan
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Trevor Stynes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Oct 26 (Reuters) - This weekend's Serie A fixtures pit the last two Scudetto winners against each other, as defending champions Napoli host AC Milan on Sunday. Inter Milan were first to break Juve's stronghold in 2021, followed by their rivals Milan, before Napoli finally won their third Scudetto last season, and first without Diego Maradona. Now, those three sides, along with Juventus, are battling it out for this season's league title, and the Diego Armando Maradona stadium will see Napoli attempt to stay in the title race against Milan. Verona who won their opening two games, have picked up just two points in the seven games since then. Lazio have already lost four league games this season, but have now won their last two, taking them to 10th in the standings, and on Monday they host high-flying Fiorentina.

Persons: Diego Maradona, Diego Armando Maradona, Rudi Garcia, Garcia, Victor Osimhen, Khvicha, Romelu Lukaku, Jose Mourinho won't, Mourinho, Roma, Trevor Stynes, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Napoli, AC Milan, Sunday, Juventus, Inter Milan, Milan, Inter, Torino, Juve's, Hellas Verona, Champions League, Georgian, Verona, Tuesday's Champions, Union Berlin, MOURINHO, AS Roma, San, Monza, Juve, Lazio, Fiorentina, Empoli, Thomson Locations: Naples, San Siro, Portuguese, Napoli

☆ Man Utd predicts higher annual revenue as sale process drags on
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The English Premier League club, whose future ownership remains uncertain as the Glazer family explore a potential sale, did not give any update on that process, which started nearly a year ago. Manchester United expect revenue of between 650 million and 680 million pounds for the fiscal year to June 2024, compared with 648.4 million in 2022/23. The club forecast adjusted core profit of between 140 million and 165 million pounds, compared with 155 million in 2022/23. For the quarter ended June 30, Manchester United reported a net loss of nearly 3 million pounds ($3.50 million), compared with a loss of 71 million pounds a year earlier. Annual net losses narrowed by 75% to 29 million pounds.

Persons: Molly Darlington, Glazer, Jim Ratcliffe, Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al, Erik ten Hag, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount, Andre Onana, Yadarisa, Shounak Dasgupta, Kevin Liffey Organizations: Soccer Football, Premier League, Manchester United, Leicester City, Champions League, English Premier League club, New York Stock Exchange, Inter Milan, European, League, Danish, Copenhagen, Manchester City, . Manchester United, Thomson Locations: Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain, Trafford, Qatar's, Qatar's Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad al Thani, Atalanta, Chelsea, Bengaluru

☆ Injury doubts haunt Barcelona ahead of Saturday's Clasico against Real Madrid
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Fernando Kallas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Xavi had to call up eight academy players for their Champions League match against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday, as the Catalonian side grapple with injuries to eight key players, including Polish striker Robert Lewandowski. Barca secured a hard-fought 2-1 win against Shakhtar thanks to a brilliant display by 20-year-old Fermin Lopez, who is becoming a regular in the first team. It's a match in which we need to be at 100%," Xavi told a press conference on Wednesday. Real lead the LaLiga standings, level with Girona, the surprise package of the season so far, on 25 points from 10 games. Barcelona are third on 24 points, two ahead of Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand.

Persons: FC Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski, Pedro Nunes, Xavi Hernandez, Xavi, Robert Lewandowski, Barca, Fermin Lopez, Frenkie De Jong, Jules Kounde, Pedri, Sergi Roberto, Raphinha, Joao Felix, It's, Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Arda Gueler, Englishman Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti, Fernando Kallas, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Soccer Football, FC Porto, FC Barcelona, Estadio, FC Barcelona's, REUTERS, Rights, Real Madrid, El, Champions League, Shakhtar Donetsk, Shakhtar, Lewandowski, El Clasico, Barca, Borussia Dortmund, Braga, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Thomson Locations: Porto, Portugal, Rights BARCELONA, Barcelona, Catalonian, Camp Nou, Portuguese, Girona

☆ Erling Haaland gets on back on track in the Champions League as Manchester City defeats BSC Young Boys 3-1
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Samuel Joseph | Sam Joseph | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Powered by a brace from Erling Haaland, Manchester City made it three UEFA Champions League wins out of three as they defeated Swiss side BSC Young Boys 3-1 on Wednesday in Bern. Despite facing mounting pressure, Young Boys managed to frustrate City throughout the first half and the two sides headed into the break goalless. City did extend its lead later when its talisman sealed the game with just five minutes left in regulation time. Haaland curled a right-footed strike past Racioppi to score his 33rd Champions League goal in 37 appearances. “The environment we are in Young Boys are used to.

Persons: Erling Haaland, Anthony Racioppi –, City, Filip Ugrinic, Ederson, Matheus Nunes, Haaland, Doku, Racioppi, Rúben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Zac Goodwin, City’s, Meschak Elia, Rodri, Mohamed Ali Camara, Julián, cooly, Jack, Haaland tucks, Stefan Wermuth, Pep Guardiola, ”, positionally, Rico Lewis, “, ’ Organizations: CNN, Manchester City, UEFA Champions League, Swiss, BSC Young Boys, Young Boys, Champions League, Reuters City, TNT Sports, ”, Young Locations: Manchester, Bern, City, European

☆ Vinícius Jr.: Barcelona board member writes then deletes derogatory social media post about Real Madrid star
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( George Ramsay | Patrick Sung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —FC Barcelona coach Xavi said that he hopes Saturday’s El Clásico can be played with “mutual admiration” after a board member at the club deleted a derogatory social media post about Real Madrid forward Vinícius Jr. Neither Real Madrid nor Vinícius have publicly commented on the tweet. Vinícius testified earlier this month in a Spanish court about a racist incident which took place in the Mestalla Stadium when Madrid played Valencia. Footage and pictures widely posted on social media show a man performing monkey gestures towards Vinícius during the match. CNN has contacted Real Madrid and Vinícius for comment.

Persons: Xavi, Saturday’s El, ”, Vinícius Jr, Miquel Camps, Vinícius, Camps, “, Real, Raphinha, Kevin Langley, We’ve, Saturday’s, Sevilla, Rafael Yuste, Movistar, Yuste, Rodrygo, Florentino Pérez Organizations: CNN — FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Madrid’s Champions League, Sporting Braga, CNN, Los Blancos, Sevilla, Madrid, Valencia, Shakhtar Donetsk, La Liga, Real, Sevilla FC, ”, Shakhtar, Braga Locations: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Spain, Spanish, Arlington , Texas

☆ Sandro Tonali: Newcastle United and Italy midfielder banned for 10 months for violating betting regulations
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Newcastle United and Italy midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned for 10 months for violating betting regulations, the president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), Gabriele Gravina, said on Thursday. Tonali signed for Newcastle in the summer for a reported fee of $74 million, per Reuters. Tonali came on as a second-half substitute in Newcastle’s Champions League defeat to Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday. The decision comes just weeks after Juventus midfielder Nicolò Fagioli was handed a seven-month ban and fined €12,500 ($13,200) for also breaching betting rules. Tonali and his fellow Italy international teammate Nicolò Zaniolo withdrew from the national team squad earlier this month after their involvement in gambling investigations was released.

Persons: Sandro Tonali, Gabriele Gravina, “, ”, Gravina, Tonali, Eddie Howe, Reuters –, Nicolò Fagioli, Nicolò Zaniolo, Zaniolo, CNN’s Barbie Nadeau Organizations: CNN, Newcastle United, Italian Football Federation, Federal Prosecutor’s, Sky24, Newcastle, AC Milan, men’s, Newcastle’s Premier League, Crystal, BBC, FIFA, UEFA, Reuters, Serie, League, Newcastle’s Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Wednesday, Juventus, Italy Locations: Italy, Italian

☆ Bayern's Neuer prepares for imminent Bundesliga return with eye on Euros
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Karolos Grohmann | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BERLIN, Oct 26 (Reuters) - There is more at stake for Bayern Munich keeper Manuel Neuer when he makes his possible return to action in the Bundesliga on Saturday against Darmstadt 98 almost a year after injury. He did not travel to Bayern's Champions League game against Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday to continue training while a rumoured return in the league last week did not materialise. "We have to wait and see," Bayern's Tuchel said on Tuesday when asked whether Neuer will return this week. A Bayern comeback for Neuer would mean that veteran keeper Sven Ulreich, who has been outstanding in his absence, will quickly slip back into his usual reserve role. Victory over visiting Darmstadt, in 12th place, could move Bayern provisionally into top spot, with Leverkusen, also unbeaten, in action against Freiburg on Sunday.

Persons: Manuel Neuer, Thomas Tuchel, Neuer, Barcelona's Marc, Andre ter Stegen, Ilkay, Julian Nagelsmann, Bayern's Tuchel, Manuel, Sven Ulreich, Ulreich, Karolos Grohmann, Christopher Cushing Organizations: Bayern Munich, Bundesliga, Darmstadt, Bayern's Champions League, Galatasaray, Bayern, Costa, Germany, Champions League, Bayer Leverkusen, VfB Stuttgart, Victory, Leverkusen, Freiburg, Sunday, Borussia Dortmund, Eintracht Frankfurt, Thomson Locations: Istanbul, Qatar, Costa Rica, Germany, Darmstadt

☆ Newcastle's Tonali banned for 10 months for betting offences
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

ROME, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali has been banned from soccer for 10 months over breaches of rules on betting on matches in Italy, the head of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said on Thursday. It will rule Tonali out for the remainder of the club season and next summer's Euro 2024 tournament should Italy qualify. Tonali, 23, is the highest profile player caught up in a betting scandal that is shaking Italian soccer. Legal and sporting authorities have been investigating the use of illegal betting platforms by soccer players in Italy. Aston Villa's Italy midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo is also assisting authorities in their investigation into alleged illegal betting activity, the Premier League club said last week.

Persons: Sandro Tonali, Tonali, Gabriele Gravina, Nicolo Fagioli, FIGC's Gravina, Nicolo Zaniolo, Elvira Pollina, Keith Weir, Alvise Armellini Organizations: Newcastle United, Italian Football Federation, Newcastle, Milan, AC Milan, Champions League, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Aston, Premier League, Thomson Locations: Italy, Italian, Newcastle, Turin

☆ Pulisic backs Milan to turn around poor Champions League form
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 26 (Reuters) - AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic has backed his team to turn around their mediocre Champions League form after the Italian giants suffered a 3-0 defeat against Paris St Germain on Wednesday. We're not out of it yet, we just need to string a couple of wins together," Pulisic told CBS Sports. "We've had some tough games in some tough stadiums but that's no excuse, we need to turn it around and we need to win." The 25-year-old Pulisic, who captains the United States, moved to Milan from Premier League club Chelsea in July. Milan are second in the Italian top-flight after nine matches, one point behind rivals Inter Milan.

Persons: Christian Pulisic, We're, Pulisic, We've, we're, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Robert Birsel Organizations: Milan, League, Paris St Germain, Wednesday, Parc des Princes, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United, CBS Sports, Premier League club Chelsea, Napoli, Serie, Udinese, Inter Milan, Thomson Locations: Milan, Parc, United States, Bengaluru

☆ Man Utd show signs of life, but City offer real test
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Another not-too-convincing victory at bottom club Sheffield United last weekend was admirable in its own way following the news of club great Bobby Charlton's death before kickoff. City suffered consecutive league defeats before the international break but have answered any doubts with wins over Brighton & Hove Albion and then at Young Boys on Wednesday in the Champions League. Guardiola will need no reminding that City lost at Old Trafford last year, having crushed United 6-3 at home. City also won the FA Cup final against United on their way to matching the Reds' treble of 1999. Sixth-placed Newcastle United will have to shrug off the disappointment of their Champions League loss to Borussia Dortmund as they face Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.

Persons: Erik Ten, Bobby Charlton's, Harry Maguire's, Andre Onana, Guardiola, Sergio Aguero, They've, they've, Rasmus Hojlund, Erling Haaland, Ange Postecoglou, Monday's, Postecoglou, Martyn Herman, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Manchester, Manchester City, Brentford, Sheffield United, FC Copenhagen, Champions League, Pep, City, Brighton & Hove Albion, Young Boys, Old, FA, United, Reds, Manchester Evening, Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur, Tottenham, Fulham, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Saturday, Aston Villa, Luton Town, Thomson Locations: Old Trafford, City, Celtic, Liverpool

☆ Borussia Dortmund secure vital win at Newcastle
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

NEWCASTLE, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund rekindled their hopes in Champions League Group F with a gritty 1-0 victory at Newcastle United thanks to Felix Nmecha's clinical first-half strike on Wednesday night. Nmecha's first-time finish near the end of a high-octane opening half proved enough for the Bundesliga side to post their first win in the group at the third time of asking. After a wide-open half, Dortmund defended their lead solidly after the break although Callum Wilson headed a chance against the crossbar and Newcastle struck the woodwork again deep into stoppage time. Defeat was an anti-climax for Newcastle after their win over Paris St Germain in the previous match, and the group is now wide open. PSG have six points with Newcastle and Dortmund both on four points and Milan on two.

Persons: Felix Nmecha's, Nmecha's, Callum Wilson, Martyn Herman, Hugh Lawson Organizations: NEWCASTLE, Borussia Dortmund, Champions League, Newcastle United, Bundesliga, Dortmund, Newcastle, Paris St Germain, PSG, Thomson Locations: Milan

☆ Manchester City have pundits in stitches with outfit choice
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Oct 25 (Reuters) - Manchester City were panned by soccer pundits for their choice of outfits to travel to their Champions League group game against Young Boys in Bern on Wednesday. The reigning champions climbed off the team bus looking like a 1950s American college team, dressed in navy blue cardigans with their names and numbers on the back and "Manchester City" on bands around the sleeves, over white dress shirts and light denim jeans. Former City defender Joleon Lescott added: "It is questionable, especially when it doesn't look good on Jack Grealish." City, who have a fashion deal with label Dsquared2, have raised eyebrows before with their choice of team outfits, including double denim. Reporting by Lori Ewing; editing by Clare FallonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Joe Cole, Joleon Lescott, Jack Grealish, Lori Ewing, Clare Fallon Organizations: Manchester City, Champions League, Young Boys, Wednesday, TNT Sports, Former City, Thomson Locations: Manchester, Bern, American, "

☆ Nmecha strikes to give Dortmund vital win at Newcastle
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEWCASTLE, England, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund rekindled their hopes in Champions League Group F with a gritty 1-0 victory at Newcastle United thanks to Felix Nmecha's clinical first-half strike on Wednesday. Nmecha's well-taken goal near the end of a high-octane opening half proved enough for the Bundesliga side to post their first win in the group at the third time of asking. The two sides will meet again in a fortnight in Dortmund in a match that is likely to be pivotal. Nmecha's first Champions League goal at the end of a high-octane opening half was Dortmund's first in the competition this season and ultimately it proved decisive. Dortmund stifled Newcastle after that but needed some luck in the dying minutes to go home with the points.

Persons: Felix Nmecha's, Nmecha's, Callum Wilson, Anthony Gordon, Eddie Howe's, Edin Terzić, Howe, Gordon, Nico Schlotterbeck, Pope, Donyell Malen, Malen, Gregor Kobel, Wilson, Alexander Isak, First Wilson, Matt Targett, Terzic, Martyn Herman, Hugh Lawson Organizations: Borussia Dortmund, Champions League, Newcastle United, Bundesliga, Dortmund, Newcastle, Paris St Germain, PSG, TNT Sport, League, Thomson Locations: NEWCASTLE, England, Milan, Dortmund, Kobel

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