Sami Khedira has launched a fierce defence of Germany goalkeeper Oliver Baumann following persistent media speculation regarding a potential international return for Manuel Neuer. The 2014 World Cup winner argued that the ongoing debate has actively harmed the squad’s preparation and undermined the confidence of the current first-choice option heading into the summer tournament.
Be it double World Cup finalist Ruud Krol, the marauding Ronald Koeman, total football icon Ruud Gullit or serial winner Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch have a fine tradition of producing defenders who have made their mark on the game. And there is a new kid on the block that every top club wants to get their hands on: step forward FC Twente's teenage star centre-back Ruud Nijstad.
Former Real Madrid scout Manolo Romero has launched a scathing attack on Vinicius Junior following the Spanish giants' dramatic Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich. The veteran talent-spotter questioned the Brazilian’s footballing intelligence and clinical edge after a chaotic 6-4 aggregate defeat ended Madrid’s European campaign.
FC Bayern are reportedly making a strong push to sign Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United. The 25-year-old has a bit of Harry Kane about him and a bit of Luis Díaz; he’s lightning fast – and rather expensive for a backup player.
Eduardo Camavinga has apologised to Real Madrid supporters after his red card in the Champions League defeat to Bayern Munich. The French midfielder accepted responsibility following Madrid’s quarter-final exit as his dismissal proved a decisive moment in a chaotic night in Munich.
Florentino Perez has delivered a scathing assessment of Real Madrid’s current predicament, visiting the dressing room in Munich to label the club's trophy drought as an "intolerable failure". The club president made his feelings known directly to the players and coaching staff following their Champions League elimination at the hands of Bayern Munich.
Celebrating FC Bayern Munich’s win over Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena, a group of fans surged towards the pitch, an uncontrolled surge that nearly had fatal consequences for a photographer.
Real Madrid’s defeat to Bayern Munich has laid bare the club’s less appealing side. The Merengues have reacted like spoilt children, venting frustration at every turn. Their insistence that they were “robbed” in Munich only confirms their status as football’s most unsympathetic outfit, even though it was the record champions who had genuine cause for complaint for long periods of the contest.
Anybody plotting a summer raid on Sunderland for “unique” forward Brian Brobbey and highly-rated goalkeeper Robin Roefs - with Bayern Munich and Chelsea said to be in those respective hunts - have been warned that “big money” will be required in order to tempt the Black Cats into selling. Don Goodman has told GOAL why exciting arrivals at the Stadium of Light should be considered more likely than any high-profile departures.
Should FC Bayern Munich lift the Champions League trophy, their earnings from the competition could comfortably surpass those of last year’s winners, Paris Saint-Germain.
Michael Olise produced a moment of interview gold following Bayern Munich’s dramatic Champions League quarter-final victory over Real Madrid. The French winger appeared genuinely baffled when a reporter referred to the Spanish giants as the "kings of the competition" just moments after they were dumped out at the Allianz Arena.
Newcastle United have been rocked by the news that Anthony Gordon is open to leaving St James' Park this summer as he targets a move to a Champions League heavyweight. The England international is reportedly eager to have his future resolved before the World Cup begins, sparking a potential bidding war among Europe's elite.
Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior were involved in a furious on-field spat as Real Madrid crashed out of the Champions League against Bayern Munich. The England international was left incensed by his team-mate's decision-making during a pivotal moment of the second half, leading to a blunt verbal exchange between the two superstars.
Bayern Munich may have secured a famous victory over Real Madrid to reach the Champions League semi-finals, but they will have to navigate the first leg against Paris Saint-Germain without Vincent Kompany. The Belgian coach has been hit with a touchline ban following a night of high tension and disciplinary drama at the Allianz Arena.
Harry Kane has sent a defiant message to Paris Saint-Germain, insisting that Bayern Munich are capable of beating any team in world football. The England captain reached a remarkable half-century of goals for the season as the German giants produced a stunning comeback to eliminate Real Madrid in a classic quarter-final encounter.
Real Madrid’s Champions League dreams crumbled in spectacular and chaotic fashion at the Allianz Arena as frustration boiled over into a full-scale confrontation with the officials. Jude Bellingham was at the heart of a group of furious Blancos stars who chased referee Slavko Vincic at the final whistle following a night of red cards and late heartbreak.
Real Madrid’s team bus departed the Allianz Arena without Vinicius Junior following their dramatic Champions League exit at the hands of Bayern Munich. The Brazilian forward was required to stay behind in Bavaria to complete mandatory post-match duties.
Bayern Munich have eliminated Real Madrid and reached the Champions League semi-finals. After a 2-1 first-leg win, the Bavarians prevailed 4-3 in a thrilling return match. Player ratings for the FCB squad.
Alvaro Arbeloa has lashed out at the “unjust” officiating that saw Eduardo Camavinga dismissed during Real Madrid’s dramatic Champions League quarter-final exit at Bayern Munich. The Los Blancos boss has questioned the referee's competence after a chaotic 6-4 aggregate defeat ended the Spanish giants' hopes of securing a 16th European title.
FC Bayern have beaten Real Madrid in the second leg and now advance to the Champions League semi-finals on merit. Nevertheless, Joshua Kimmich is sounding a note of caution and pointing once more to a 2016 clash between the sides.
What a game! What a tie, in fact! Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final clash with Real Madrid had a bit of everything: great goals, goalkeeping gaffes and incredibly controversial calls. The net result was the kind of engrossing encounter that makes a mockery of Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis' claim that we need to change the game to make it more appealing to young people.
After Bayern Munich’s dramatic Champions League semi-final win over Real Madrid, Manuel Neuer engaged in some self-criticism. Yet the Bayern captain did single out one action of his own for praise.
Bayern Munich
