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The trend for Neuer: No appearance in Dortmund

Jason Maverick
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The trend for Neuer: No appearance in Dortmund

Time is running out, and the risk is there: FC Bayern will probably play in Saturday evening’s German classic in Dortmund without goalkeeper and captain Manuel Neuer due to a calf injury.

At least, that’s how coach Vincent Kompany’s words at Friday morning’s press conference can be interpreted. “Actually, he’s looking good, we thought he’d be out longer,” said Kompany, adding that the goalkeeper ‘might’ take part in the final training session on Friday. “We’ll talk again after that,” the Belgian added.

Then came the important addition. “Probably not,” Kompany replied when asked about Neuer’s participation in the classic match. “If not, we’ll play with Jonas Urbig, who has always represented us well. And then we’ll be happy to have Manu back.” Was this just Kompany playing poker or a clear indication that Neuer won’t be playing? More likely the latter.

This would mean that Neuer, who is soon to turn 40 and has played 541 Bundesliga games to date, would miss a league game for the sixth time this season. He was also suspended for the first two rounds of the DFB Cup and sat out the last Champions League game, a 2-1 win in Eindhoven, when Urbig played outstandingly and set up the winning goal.

Laimer fit, good news for Davies

Konrad Laimer is fit again, Kompany revealed. The Austrian took a break last weekend after a torn muscle fiber forced him to sit out. With Alphonso Davies injured, Laimer and Josip Stanisic are likely to occupy the defensive wings in Dortmund. It remains to be seen who will play on the left and who on the right.

Kompany had good news about Davies, who suffered a torn muscle fiber in his hamstring against Frankfurt. Initially, it looked like he would be out for a long time, but the Canadian was already back on the track on Thursday. “We’ll see what happens with him next week, but he’ll be available for the important games in March.”

This means Kompany has numerous options at his disposal and can almost draw on his full squad. Michael Olise and Aleksandar Pavlovic should also be available, having also taken a break during the week. Kompany did not want to make a final decision here, preferring to wait for the final training session and leave open whether everyone will start. “We trust our squad. Everyone who takes to the pitch can secure a victory.”

“Building a business and replicating it worldwide”: Premier League launches its own streaming service

Jeffrey Gooding
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“Building a business and replicating it worldwide”: Premier League launches its own streaming service

Most of the money in modern soccer is made in the Premier League, and has been for years—largely due to the TV revenues generated in England year after year. But now the Premier League is planning to break new ground in the marketing of its image rights and is launching its own streaming service.

As Richard Masters, CEO of the Premier League, announced at the Financial Times Business of Football Summit in London, the Premier League plans to launch its own streaming service. Initially, however, the British are taking a more cautious approach and testing the waters in Asia. Next season, “Premier League +” will launch in Singapore as the league’s first streaming service.

This will give the Premier League full control over its product, as it will bring its content directly to the end customer. So-called middlemen, such as established television stations or other streaming providers, will be left out. “We want to build a business,” said Masters, admitting that they still need to test how this will work: “We also want to learn how this can be replicated worldwide.”

However, the British do not want to rush into this, as the economic risk is simply too great. This is another reason why Masters spoke of a “very long, carefully considered process.” This is not surprising, given that the world’s strongest league in economic terms has so far relied entirely on third parties. Until now, it has sold its rights exclusively to established TV broadcasters such as Sky Sports and NBC – and has done very well out of it.

Not the first league with a direct distribution model

However, the pie currently has to be shared with the broadcasters. Without a middleman, the Premier League could keep the whole pie, but to do so, it would have to deal with things like “advertising, pricing, customer turnover, distribution, and all those things,” according to Masters. However, technology was also needed to drive the whole project forward – and the league wants to be equipped for that. That’s why the Premier League is also opening a new production center in London.

The Premier League would not be the first professional league to rely on direct distribution models. Successful examples can be found primarily in the US, where the NFL, NBA, and MLB have been using this model for years. It is unclear whether similar plans exist in Germany.

Former Munich player Demichelis is the new coach of RCD Mallorca

Phil Laffertey
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Former Munich player Demichelis is the new coach of RCD Mallorca

Martin Demichelis has taken up his first coaching position in the Spanish top flight. The former Bayern Munich pro is tasked with saving RCD Mallorca from relegation from La Liga.

Former Bayern Munich player Martin Demichelis is the new coach of RCD Mallorca. The 45-year-old has been hired as the successor to the dismissed Jagoba Arrasate on the holiday island. His contract initially runs until the end of the season, with the option of a further season.
The club from the capital Palma, which has been continuously represented in the Spanish top flight since its promotion in the summer of 2021, currently occupies only 18th place in La Liga after a 2-0 defeat at Celta Vigo, putting it just below the ominous line. The former Argentine international is particularly well known in Germany for his time at FC Bayern Munich.
Demichelis won the German championship four times with the record champions and also reached the Champions League final with Munich in 2010, which they lost 2-0 to Inter Milan. In 2014, Demichelis was in the starting line-up for Argentina in the World Cup final in Rio de Janeiro, which they narrowly lost 1-0 to Germany.

Previously with River Plate and Monterrey

This is Demichelis’ first coaching position in one of Europe’s top leagues. Previously, the former FC Bayern defender coached the U19 and second teams (2019 to 2022). In his home country, he was under contract with River Plate, and in Mexico with CF Monterrey.

In the upcoming match against Real Sociedad, coached by Pellegrino Matarazzo, on Saturday (6:30 p.m.), Gustavo Siviero, coach of the second team, will still be in charge. All in all, Demichelis has a tricky task ahead of him. After three consecutive defeats, Mallorca are one point behind 17th place, which is safe from relegation, with 24 points. Only the promoted teams UD Levante (18) and Real Oviedo (17) are currently worse off.

Demichelis knows La Liga well as a player. After many years in Munich, he spent the latter part of his career mainly at Malaga CF and briefly at Espanyol Barcelona. In 2017, the 51-time Argentine international ended his playing career with a second spell at Malaga in Andalusia.

Barcelona will have to do without de Jong for several weeks

Phil Laffertey
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Barcelona will have to do without de Jong for several weeks

FC Barcelona will have to do without midfielder Frenkie de Jong for the coming weeks. The Catalans announced this on Thursday evening.

No sooner had Spanish playmaker Pedri returned to fitness than the other playmaker in midfield was ruled out: FC Barcelona announced that Frenkie de Jong has suffered an injury to the lower part of his right hamstring. The Blaugrana also announced the length of his absence: the Dutchman will be out for five to six weeks.

This is obviously bitter news for Barcelona, as de Jong is vice-captain and an absolute fixture in coach Hansi Flick’s team. He has played 19 times in the league, scoring one goal. The 28-year-old has played seven times in the Champions League this season.
In addition to several league games, de Jong will also miss the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Atletico, in which FC Barcelona needs a miracle after losing 4-0 in the first leg. He is also likely to miss the Champions League round of 16 against Paris or Newcastle (March 10/11 and 17/18).

Real responds to first-leg defeat: Bayern without Obst stands no chance in Madrid

Phil Laffertey
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Real responds to first-leg defeat: Bayern without Obst stands no chance in Madrid

FC Bayern Munich suffered a heavy defeat in the return leg at Real Madrid. After their home win in October, the Munich team lost 70-93 in the Spanish capital.

Real set the tone early on. After a 19-12 lead in the first quarter, the Royals turned up the heat in the second quarter and won it 34-21. With a 53-33 lead at halftime, Sergio Scariolo’s team had taken control. Above all, their efficiency from the field made the difference.

Madrid shot 64.3 percent from the field and a strong 45.5 percent from the three-point line. Mario Hezonja was the top scorer with 16 points, while Trey Lyles (12), Walter Tavares (11) and a balanced supporting cast ensured consistent production. Real distributed a total of 28 assists and achieved a team PIR of 125.

Despite a strong Jessup: Bayern clearly beaten in Madrid

Bayern struggled defensively and also lost the rebound battle 31-38. Offensively, without Andreas Obst, they lacked punch from distance, with only six of 21 three-pointers finding their mark. Justinian Jessup fought against defeat with 17 points (career high), while Neno Dimitrijevic and Xavier Rathan-Mayes each scored 11 points. In the final quarter, Bayern managed to make the score look a little better with a 23:15 run, but the game had long since been decided. After much speculation and uncertainty, it is now certain that Mario Hezonja and David Krämer will travel directly to their national teams for tomorrow’s game via charter flight.

Will BMW win the DTM title without Rast? Schubert repositions itself for 2026

Sotd Editor
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Will BMW win the DTM title without Rast? Schubert repositions itself for 2026

BMW has “unfinished business” with the DTM after the 2025 finale: Which lineup will be used to win the title and who will replace Rene Rast after three years?

It’s now been confirmed: Rene Rast will not be competing in the DTM in 2026 after his temporary retirement and thoughts about possibly staying on. After three years with the BMW Team Schubert, the three-time champion will be replaced by South African BMW works driver Kelvin van der Linde, who is returning to the traditional series after a year’s break. BMW has now officially announced this in a press release.

As in the past two years, the second Schubert BMW will be driven by two-time DTM champion Marco Wittmann, who is entering his 14th season, bringing the number of confirmed DTM cars for 2026 to 13. BMW has not yet released any designs for the two BMW M4 GT3 Evo cars, but it can be assumed that Wittmann’s car will continue to feature the Schaeffler design.

With the arrival of Kelvin van der Linde, who finished third overall in the Abt Audi in 2021 and was DTM runner-up in 2024, and who is also one of the strongest drivers in the BMW, the Munich-based team feels ready to take the title this year.

BMW Motorsport Director: “We have a score to settle with the DTM”

Especially since the disappointment of the 2025 season finale, when Rast was knocked out of the title race in what was his last DTM race for the time being after a tough duel with champion Ayhancan Güven, still lingers in the minds of BMW officials. “After the dramatic season finale in 2025, we still have a score to settle with the DTM,” says BMW Motorsport Director Andreas Roos.
“We were so close to winning the title that we are now even more motivated to do even better this year. I am convinced that with the winning combination of car, team, and drivers, we have the ideal conditions to fight for the DTM crown.”

Wittmann, who finished fifth in the overall standings in 2025, his best DTM season to date in the BMW M4 GT3, has “proved that he has what it takes to win his third title,” Roos is convinced.

“Kelvin had a great desire to return to the DTM right from the start.”

“Kelvin van der Linde had a strong desire to return to the DTM from the very beginning of our collaboration, and I am glad that we can now make this comeback possible for him,” says the BMW Motorsport Director, making it clear that van der Linde’s break from the DTM after switching to BMW a year ago was not entirely voluntary.

Rast’s withdrawal from the DTM – who is involved in Dennis Rostek’s Pole Promotion agency, which manages van der Linde – now offers the 29-year-old, who scored numerous victories in 2025 in the BMW M4 GT3 Evo, which was new to him, the chance to make a comeback.

According to Roos, van der Linde has “proved that he is capable of anything in the BMW M4 GT3 Evo. What’s more, his personality makes him a great asset to the DTM, which we believe is developing excellently,” he says, referring to the series’ upward trend. “The racing, the spectator numbers, and the great atmosphere make the DTM an indispensable platform for BMW M Motorsport.”

Kelvin van der Linde aims for title in Schubert debut season

Kelvin van der Linde makes no secret of how important his return to the DTM is to him. “The DTM is a very special championship for me. It was always my childhood dream to drive there and win races. I have achieved both, but the big goal remains: to win the DTM title,” he explains.

In doing so, he wants to follow in the footsteps of his younger brother Sheldon van der Linde, who won BMW’s last DTM title to date with Schubert. “Sheldon did it in 2022, and now it’s a kind of homecoming at Schubert Motorsport when I, as his brother, now also drive for the team,” he says, alluding to the fact that the environment is not entirely unfamiliar to him.

And he has set himself clear goals: “I want to be successful in the DTM right from the start in 2026 and fulfill my big dream of winning the drivers’ title.” Team boss Torsten Schubert expects him to settle in without any problems: “Of course, we’ll have to get used to each other first, but I think we know each other very well from the past and will quickly find our feet.”

Wittmann relies on proven engineers in 2026

It is well known that Wittmann, who last became DTM champion in 2016, also wants to be at the top. After last year’s upward trend, the 36-year-old from Franconia is “confident” that he can “once again compete at the front.” This confidence is based on the fact that he can rely on familiar engineers. “We have built a great foundation with Schubert Motorsport over the past two seasons. My crew of engineers and mechanics remains virtually unchanged. That’s very important because we work well together. In 2025, we were already able to fight for the title with both cars right up to the end. My clear goal for 2026 is to win my third DTM title.”

Marc Marquez admits: “I can’t ride the bike like I did last year.”

Lesley Summerville
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Marc Marquez admits: “I can’t ride the bike like I did last year.”

Marc Marquez is starting the 2026 MotoGP season with a handicap: his right shoulder is forcing him to adopt a different riding style and return to the 2024 aerodynamics.

At the start of the 2026 MotoGP season, the focus for Marc Marquez is less on his role as favorite and more on his physical condition. The defending champion speaks openly about the ongoing effects of his shoulder injury and explains why he has to ride his Ducati differently than he did in 2025.

Marquez used the five days of winter testing to evaluate both his right shoulder and Ducati’s new package. Technically, progress has been made. On the last day of testing in particular, he said he had “taken good steps in the direction I want to go.” He feels “better and better” on the bike.

Shoulder as a limiting factor

But physically, the situation is more complex. The lengthy rehabilitation process makes it difficult to ride consistently. The injury affects his precision, both in his feedback to the engineers and on the track.

It is “a little more difficult to be precise in my comments and to always ride in the same way,” the Ducati factory rider summarizes the situation.

The shoulder injury he sustained in Indonesia initially seemed harmless. “It looked like a simple injury at first, but it wasn’t a simple one,” he clarifies. Especially because his right shoulder was affected again, everything takes more time.
He himself doesn’t know exactly where his 100 percent currently lies. That’s why, for him, the main thing at the moment is to keep at it and realistically assess where he stands during a real race weekend. “I feel that there is still room for improvement,” says Marquez with regard to his fitness.

Tests were particularly stressful

Interestingly, he found the test drives particularly challenging under the circumstances. When you don’t feel completely fit, they are “the hardest thing ever.” The constant stop-and-go, hours of concentration, new runs over and over again: “You have to stay connected for six hours straight.”

In a way, a race weekend is more clearly structured and therefore easier to manage. This is another reason why the Spaniard expects a solid start to the season. He hopes to “get off to a good start here,” but is also aware of the strength of the competition.

“Of course, the level increases every year. Since Ducati has already been very strong in recent years, it may be more difficult to improve, but we are trying to make a difference with small details,” Marquez looks ahead.

Why Marquez is opting for the 2024 aero package

When it comes to aerodynamics, Marquez has deliberately decided to start the season with the 2024 package – partly because of his shoulder. Basically, he says, you have to find “the best package for your own situation and your own riding style.”

The step back is not a technical step backwards, but an adaptation to his physical reality. The 2025 package was heavier and more physically demanding.

“I can’t ride the bike in the same way as last year at the moment,” Marquez admits in this context. “I don’t have the strength I had last year. That’s why I need a bike that steers a little better, stays on track better, and doesn’t require me to push as hard as I did last year.”

That’s exactly why they opted for the aero version, which is less physically demanding. Both packages performed well in testing, “but in different ways.” Currently, it’s not about riding the most aggressive or modern package, but the one that suits his condition.

Defending the title despite handicap is the goal

The fact that he also has to adapt his riding style accordingly is nothing new for the reigning MotoGP world champion – and at the same time part of his self-image.

“I will try once again in my career to adapt my riding style to this new situation,” he announced. Only when he feels physically ready again will he be able to get closer to what he showed in 2025, when the Spaniard celebrated 25 victories and 31 podium finishes.

Marquez is not currently thinking about breaking these records. However, his ambitions remain as high as ever. “When you wear a red Ducati shirt, the goal is always to fight for the world championship,” he states unequivocally.

Gerhard Berger on the new rules: “Something inside me resists it.”

Phil Laffertey
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Gerhard Berger on the new rules: “Something inside me resists it.”

Gerhard Berger wants to give the new Formula 1 regulations a chance, but emphasizes that, for him, they feel too far removed from “classic motorsport.”

Gerhard Berger drove his last Formula 1 race almost three decades ago. However, the basic principle has never changed since then, because in the end, the driver who was able to stay on the gas longer than everyone else was rewarded—at least until now.

“Until now, the parameters were similar to those in my day,” says Berger in an interview with the Salzburger Nachrichten and the Tiroler Tageszeitung. But with the new 2026 regulations, he now has problems “following the whole thing because it’s such a quantum leap.”

“Now, with all the electrical issues surrounding the combustion engine, where you used to take your foot off the gas to get more power for the next straight, I find it very difficult,” admits the 66-year-old, revealing: “Something inside me resists it.”

“It’s not that I can’t deal with it,” Berger emphasizes. “But if lifting off the throttle is rewarded, then I find it difficult. It contradicts my love of classic motorsport,” explains the ten-time Grand Prix winner.

In addition, “constant overregulation” is a thorn in his side. “And that’s done at a table where people sit who don’t really have the spirit for motorsport,” he says, but also makes it clear: “I also like to be surprised.”

Berger: Those who were fast in the past would also win today

The Austrian is willing to give the new regulations a chance. But even aside from the new rules, Formula 1 has “changed a lot” in some respects since his active days, he reveals, explaining: “I like to compare it to watchmakers.”

“They tinker around for a long time and then find another tenth of a second somewhere. In my day, it was more rustic. You couldn’t see exactly where your teammate had found the time. Was it at the beginning or the end of the curve?” he explains.

“You might have been able to see a little bit here and there on the telemetry, but that was it. You went out and said: Now I have to find a second. Today, everything is very transparent,“ says Berger. ”The balance between driver and engineer is even. The whole thing has changed a lot. But I would still say that whoever won in my day will win today, and vice versa,” he says.

Berger competed in Formula 1 between 1984 and 1997. During this time, he drove for Benetton, Ferrari, and McLaren, among others, and achieved a total of 48 podium finishes, including ten victories.

MotoGP statistics for Buriram: Multiple winners and the closest battles

Phil Laffertey
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MotoGP statistics for Buriram: Multiple winners and the closest battles

Buriram MotoGP statistics: Marc Marquez chasing his 100th victory – Ducati with 88 consecutive podium finishes – Close races are a hallmark of the Thai circuit

The Thai Grand Prix celebrates its seventh edition at the Buriram International Circuit this year, and for the second time it marks the start of the MotoGP World Championship. Since its debut in 2018, the track has established itself as a fixture on the calendar.

The March 1 start date marks the second-earliest start to a season in the history of the Motorcycle World Championship. The only earlier start was in the 1964 season, when the US Grand Prix took place in Daytona on February 2. Thailand is the 17th nation to host a season-opening race and is one of eight Asian countries that have already hosted MotoGP races, including Japan with 25 events in Motegi and Malaysia with 24 in Sepang.

In the six races held in Buriram so far, the current riders have dominated the winners’ field: Marc Marquez leads with three victories (2018, 2019, 2025), followed by Francesco Bagnaia (2024) and Jorge Martin (2023).

Only once has a rider who did not qualify for the front row triumphed in Buriram: Miguel Oliveira in 2022. In the sprint format, which was added in 2023, Martin (2023), Enea Bastianini (2024), and Marc Marquez (2025) secured victory.

The manufacturer statistics underscore this dominance: Ducati has recorded three GP victories, all from pole position, while Honda has celebrated two wins and KTM one with Oliveira’s rain victory. Yamaha has reached the podium three times, while Aprilia’s best result was fifth place with Ai Ogura in 2025.

Should Marc Marquez win Sunday’s Grand Prix, it would mark his 100th victory in all classes, making him one of only three riders to reach this milestone. The record holder is Giacomo Agostini (122 wins), followed by Valentino Rossi (115).

Ducati could also extend its podium streak to 89 races, the current record. Six riders are waiting for their first MotoGP victory: Pedro Acosta, Luca Marini, Ai Ogura, rookies Diogo Moreira and Toprak Razgatlioglu, and substitute Michele Pirro.

Buriram has been the scene of several particularly close decisions. A gap of 0.253 seconds between Martin and Bagnaia in 2023 was the fourth closest race finish in MotoGP history. Since 2001, six riders who went on to become world champions at the end of the season failed to finish on the GP podium in the opening race of the year: 2008 (Rossi), 2015 (Lorenzo), 2017 (Marquez), 2020 (Mir), 2021 (Quartararo), and 2022 (Bagnaia). Of these, only Mir and Bagnaia missed the top 5, as both crashed:
Mir at the 2020 Spanish Grand Prix and Bagnaia in Qatar in 2022.
In 2026, a maximum of 814 World Championship points can be collected: 550 on Sunday and 264 on Saturday. This means that 32.4 percent of the points will be awarded in sprints.

Hanfmann reaches quarterfinals

Sports Of The Day
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Hanfmann reaches quarterfinals

In Santiago de Chile, experienced Karlsruhe native Yannick Hanfmann is aiming for a strong result.

Professional tennis player Yannick Hanfmann has reached the quarterfinals at the ATP tournament in Santiago de Chile. The 34-year-old from Karlsruhe defeated fourth-seeded Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-4, 6-3 in the round of 16 on Wednesday, confirming his recent rise in form.

Hanfmann, who is the only German representative in the main draw in the Chilean capital, put in a solid performance against Carabelli, as he did in his first-round victory against Serbian Dusan Lajovic. In the first set, he broke his opponent at 5:4 and took the set. In the second set, Carabelli took a medical timeout and then tried everything again.

But Hanfmann, ranked 81st in the world, prevailed. He now has a chance to advance to the semifinals against Dino Prizmic (Croatia) or Vilius Gaubas (Lithuania).

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