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The somewhat louder half-time talk at FC Bayern

During their 4-1 win in Cologne, FC Bayern came under pressure, at least for a while. This did not sit well with assistant coach Aaron Danks in particular.

Max Eberl already had his first headline for FC Bayern’s performance in Cologne (4-1) in mind shortly after 9 p.m. on Wednesday evening. “Harry Kane in crisis,” wrote the sporting director in his imaginary notebook, because Harry Kane, completely uncharacteristically, had headed the ball twice at the goal and not into it. And “because he didn’t score against Gladbach either,” Eberl added.

Kane demonstrated why the Bayern official only made it to a board position and not a career as a reporter about fifteen minutes later when he slipped away behind Eric Martel, caught the ball in front of Ron-Robert Zieler, and scored with his supposedly weaker left foot. “One of my favorite goals,” Kane explained afterwards on ESPN. “A mix of good finishing, technique, instinct.”

Within three minutes, Kane and Bayern had recovered from a “chaotic first half hour” and “regained control before halftime,” as Kane put it. The quick reaction was certainly necessary, as the league leaders, who had not dropped a point so far, had been looking very shaky up to that point – especially, and ironically, from set pieces. A corner from Jakub Kaminski in the eleventh minute created the first big chance for Isak Johanesson, and a corner from Johanesson created the second for Ragnar Ache. And another cross from Johanesson ultimately led to the 1-0 goal by Ache, whom Dayot Upamecano was unable to stop. The Munich team, usually outstanding at set pieces, saw their own trump card fly back in their faces.

Which is why assistant coach Aaron Danks made himself clear after the first 45 minutes: “He spoke at half-time,” Kane revealed about his compatriot, who is responsible for set pieces at FC Bayern. “He kind of gave us a bit of an English talking to,” Kane said with a grin, which loosely translated means: Things got loud. Because there had been “a bit of a mess” in their own penalty area. “We weren’t really in the right positions, we weren’t clear with the instructions.”

The result was the first corner goal conceded this season and only the third goal Munich had conceded from a set piece. In the Super Cup in Stuttgart (2-1), Jamie Leweling headed in an extended throw-in in injury time, and in the 4-1 win in Sinsheim, Vladimir Coufal scored from a free kick deflected by Joshua Kimmich.

Bayern will likely view this as a learning experience, especially with regard to the upcoming matches against Bayer Leverkusen and in Paris, where even the smallest mistakes will certainly be punished immediately. At least things worked out well again in the second half when Kane headed in a Kimmich corner from a few meters out, similar to the 1-0 win against Dortmund. For now, they have 14 wins from 14 competitive games. And Max Eberl no longer has to worry about a Kane crisis.

Contingency plan? First, a plan against BVB…

Three days after the 0-6 defeat against RB Leipzig, there was no positive reaction from FC Augsburg. On the contrary: the 0-1 defeat against second division side VfL Bochum marks a new low under coach Sandro Wagner.

On Tuesday evening in Augsburg, neutral observers were reminded a little of Günter Netzer, Gerhard Delling, Waldemar Hartmann and the legendary outburst of anger by then DFB team manager Rudi Völler after a 0-0 draw in Iceland in September 2003. Back then, it was all about low points and even lower low points, and the dreary present situation at FCA raises the question of what was actually worse: the 6-0 defeat to Leipzig or now the 1-0 cup exit against Bochum?

Bochum deserved to win

The answer is: Bochum. Taken in isolation, a 6-0 defeat against a team like Leipzig with fast, highly talented players can happen. It went wrong, but let’s move on. What should give all decision-makers at FCA pause for thought is the reaction three days later. There was no reaction at all, and there was no difference between the Bundesliga team and the 17th-placed team in the second division on the pitch. On the contrary: Bochum deserved to win. Once again, Sandro Wagner’s team conceded a cheap goal after a counterattack, around ten seconds after Phillip Tietz had missed one of Augsburg’s few chances at the other end. Worse still, after half-time and trailing, the game drifted along until the last ten minutes, when a free kick by Alexis Claude-Maurice, who had come on too late, sparked a comeback. And yet Bochum should have made it 2-0 and decided the game earlier.

Wagner’s mistake with Jakic

One could give the trainee coach and his team the benefit of the doubt that the game came at an inopportune time – between the debacle against Leipzig and the clash with BVB on Friday. Wagner had to make personnel changes, but it didn’t pay off. In addition, he has considered it a good idea for weeks to play the stiff-hipped Kristijan Jakic as the right-sided member of the back three. The opponents also think this is a good idea, regularly exploiting it to score goals. In any case, Jakic was overwhelmed by the speedy Gerrit Holtmann, a mismatch in modern terms.

The only convincing performance came from substitute goalkeeper Nediljko Labrovic, who seized his opportunity and kept the defeat within limits. There are concerns about Chrislain Matsima, who had to be substituted shortly before the end with a thigh injury. A diagnosis was pending on Wednesday morning. It is questionable whether FCA’s most stable center back will be available on Friday evening.
Wagner’s statements on Tuesday already sounded very much like words of encouragement. He said he believed in the players and the team, that he had seen positive things, and that he himself was not unsettled. This needs to be demonstrated on the pitch and in the table. In the long run, only results count in this business. Sporting director Benni Weber was asked whether there was a contingency plan – involving Wagner – should the team lose against BVB and a week later at VfB Stuttgart. “I find an emergency plan difficult because Friday’s game could change a lot again. The goal is to get back on track. So no emergency plan, but we should have a plan for Dortmund,” he replied. It will be interesting to see whether Wagner chooses a different, pragmatic approach against the fourth-placed team or remains true to his line and his way.

PSG shock ahead of Bayern: Doué’s tears foreshadow worse to come

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Paris Saint-Germain has been plagued by injuries this season. The sobering 1-1 draw in Lorient on Wednesday was followed by another shock: Desiré Doué has been injured again—and this time it looks even worse.

The French champions have lost the ease that had distinguished PSG last season. Wednesday evening’s 1-1 draw in Lorient was their third league draw in the last four games.

Coach Luis Enrique in particular seemed fed up: “We played a very poor first half and didn’t create any chances. We improved a little in the second half, but not enough to win this game.“

The ”deep-lying“ opponent should not be an excuse in the end. It is difficult ”when you don’t have one-on-one situations, when you don’t have the usual running patterns, when there is a lack of mobility.”

The good mood before the game—PSG had strung together two convincing competitive wins—has already evaporated. Luis Enrique was particularly pleased about further returns from injury and said: “I hope that all players will be available to me as soon as possible, that’s important for us.”

The fact that the next sensitive personnel setback came in Lorient was fitting for the bitter evening at Le Moustoir. After an hour, the exceptional Désiré Doué was left lying on the pitch before being carried off on a stretcher in tears. He buried his face in his hands.

Shielded by three security guards

Doué was treated at the stadium for a long time before three security guards shielded him and took him to the team bus. According to consistent French media reports, it is likely to be a serious muscle injury in his right thigh, which could even cost Doué the rest of the calendar year.

Doué will definitely miss the next important and difficult games: in the coming days, the team will face Nice (H) and Lyon (A) in the league, with a Champions League home game against the currently undefeated Bayern in between.

A calf injury has already cost Doué, who came through last season unscathed, a month and a half since the beginning of September. His return in October with two assists against Strasbourg (3-3), two goals in Leverkusen (7-2) and one in Brest (3-0) was promising.

“Injuries are always bad news,” Luis Enrique said late Wednesday evening regarding Doué: “It’s a strange injury and I don’t know exactly what his condition is. I hope it’s not a serious injury.” Given Doué’s reaction, that may remain a pipe dream.

“Unbelievable”: 15-year-old makes his debut for Arsenal and impresses Arteta

Arsenal FC has secured its place in the League Cup quarterfinals. After the 2-0 win against Brighton, head coach Mikel Arteta raved about a “wonderful evening” — and a 15-year-old.

Arsenal FC has now strung together eight competitive wins in a row – and is at the top of the list of favorites in several competitions. After the 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion in the League Cup, head coach Mikel Arteta raved about a “wonderful evening for so many reasons.”

There was the quarter-final qualification, the opportunity to rest many regulars, and on top of that: “We played players who I have never played together against a very strong Premier League team before.”

Compared to last weekend’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, Artea made a total of ten changes. Among them was summer signing Piero Hincapie, who came from Leverkusen and made his first start for the Gunners. Alongside Cristhian Mosquera, the Ecuadorian secured the sixth clean sheet in a row.

“They’ve never played together before, so it takes time to build that chemistry,” Arteta said, but added: “I think they played really, really well today. Piero in particular hadn’t played that many minutes yet. There are a lot of positives again, but also some very important lessons that we need to take very seriously.”

The “great evening” was also marked by the starting debuts of striker Andre Harriman-Annous and right winger Max Dowman. “I think everyone is very, very proud of what they have achieved, how they have responded to this big challenge at their age, and that we won the game,” Arteta summed up.

Arteta expects Dowman to make “regular appearances”

Harriman-Annous is 17, Dowman just 15 years old. “He just does what he does best, which is play soccer,” Arteta raved about Dowman. No Arsenal professional in the club’s history has ever been younger when making his starting lineup debut. “He showed incredible ability again today,” added Arteta, who even expects Dowman to make “regular appearances.” But he also needs to be protected. Because: “There are many things that are new in his life. We have to make sure he takes the right steps. And he has to be able to deal with that.” A structure that undoubtedly works at Arsenal should help keep Dowman grounded.

Next defeat: Orlando slips deeper into crisis

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The Orlando Magic have lost their fourth game in a row. Both Franz Wagner and Paolo Banchero struggle against the Detroit Pistons, with the Magic losing 116-135.

Orlando just can’t find its rhythm this season. Although the Magic quickly took a double-digit lead in Detroit, the score was tied again at halftime in Michigan before the Pistons pulled away with a 14-1 run.

It was also painful to see Orlando miss twelve free throws, ten of them in the first 36 minutes (28/40 FT overall). Franz Wagner (7/11 FT) and Paolo Banchero (10/17) were primarily responsible for this. Wagner shot well from distance with his 22 points (6/14 FG, 3/4 three-pointers), but didn’t do much near the rim. Banchero was the visitors’ top scorer with 24 points (7/16), while Desmond Bane (12, 4/15) struggled to find the basket.

Da Silva a ray of hope

On the other hand, Tristan da Silva was a ray of hope for the Magic, whose option for another year was exercised by the Magic before the game. Coming off the bench for just under 21 minutes, the Munich native scored 15 points (6/9 FG, 3/6 3P), without a single layup. In return, Orlando conceded 64 points in the zone and turned the ball over 17 times, which Detroit converted into 26 points.

The Pistons were led by Cade Cunningham (30, 12/24, 10 assists), who also had three steals and three blocks. Jalen Duren (21, 13 rebounds) and Ausar Thompson (12, 11 rebounds) had double-doubles, while Tobias Harris scored 23 points.

Orlando has now lost every game since its opening win against Miami, with only Brooklyn (0-5) and Indiana (0-4) faring worse in the Eastern Conference. Detroit improves to 3-2. The Magic now have three more away games on their schedule – in Charlotte, Washington, and Atlanta.

FM26 in beta turmoil: “Fiasco” or calculated stuttering start?

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The beta version of Football Manager 26 is stirring up emotions in the community like hardly any other pre-release version before it. Some judgments are devastating—but are the signs really pointing to a “fiasco”?

It’s no coincidence that the first few seconds of the latest YouTube video from FM.Zweierkette are accompanied by rather dramatic music. Content creator Tery Whenett has, of course, noticed the outcry surrounding the beta version of Football Manager 26. The French sports daily L’Équipe, for example, headlines it as a “fiasco” – days before the full release.

If you believe some of the loudest community members, developer Sports Interactive is facing a disaster – or at least a stuttering start. However, this could well be calculated. After all, studio director Miles Jacobson had already announced that, unlike its predecessors, FM26 would initially be more suitable for beginners.

“There’s still a lot of love needed”

This is mainly due to the completely redesigned user interface, which is unlikely to irritate newcomers, but apparently poses problems for long-time FM players. “Part of it has to do with not being used to it yet,” says Whenett in the video. However, he also makes it clear that, in his view, “some click paths are simply endless.”

Of course, the amount of searching frustrates some players, as FM24 was “simply more mature in comparison.” In addition, Football Manager 26 “doesn’t look finished yet in some areas. A lot of love is still needed.” As an example, Whenett cites the former pyramid in the hierarchy screen, which is currently just a list and therefore less clear.

When it comes to the visual presentation of the training sessions, the content creator is clear: “In my opinion, this isn’t even a proof of concept. I understand the harsh criticism.”

Bugs and crashes galore

Sports Interactive is also struggling with Numerous players reported recurring crashes in the first few days of the beta phase. The developer had already released an extremely early hotfix for this. The second patch followed on Wednesday, and a third is planned before the full release on November 4. The areas that need work seem to be well known. More than 4,500 entries have already been submitted to the official bug tracker for the user interface. This leads Whenett to the crucial question: “Will Sports Interactive manage to get the game ready by November 4?” If you’re expecting a finished game, he says, he can’t recommend the new Football Manager 26 without reservations at this point.

“Huge playground” thanks to new tactics

However, Whenett also has some positive and relativizing news to report: “FM26 is fun,” is a simple assessment that should please many fans despite all the criticism. Thanks in particular to the new tactical system with player roles in and without possession of the ball, “a huge playground opens up.” Even if balancing problems still prevail there.

The content creator is also impressed by the significantly more authentic match day presentation. It’s a “leap from 2004 to 2011,” he says, even though “graphics have never been a big factor in Football Manager.” On the other hand, his list of shortcomings includes some missing features such as squad list data export and Deadline Day.

All a question of attitude?

All in all, the FM26 beta “leaves a bad taste in the mouth.” Whenett himself tries not to compare the new game too much with FM24, but to view it as a completely separate title. “We’re just used to betas being ultra-stable,” he says. After the switch to the Unity Engine, that is “simply not the case” at the moment. According to him, Sports Interactive is in a “race against time.” The success of Football Manager 26 could depend on the trust and patience that the loyal fan base still has in the developer after the cancellation of FM25. “Whether you enjoy FM26 depends a little on your attitude going into it,” concludes Whenett. After all, no one has to take a financial risk: the developers will also be providing a free demo version for the full release – so you can try FM26 for free.

Cautious relief: Noah Dettwiler’s condition no longer critical

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Noah Dettwiler’s condition is stable after his serious Moto3 accident, but no longer critical – Jose Antonio Rueda will soon be able to return to Spain

Following his serious accident during Sunday’s Moto3 race in Sepang, Noah Dettwiler remains in intensive care at the hospital in Kuala Lumpur. However, the CIP team, the Dettwiler family, and his management provided an update on Wednesday that gives cause for cautious relief.

“According to the doctors treating him, Noah’s condition is now stable and no longer critical. He will continue to be closely monitored,” the statement on Instagram said.

The Swiss rider was involved in a serious rear-end collision during the sighting lap shortly before the race when Jose Antonio Rueda crashed into Dettwiler at high speed. The rescue services at the race track provided immediate medical assistance before both were flown to hospital.
Rueda, the designated Moto3 world champion, is also continuing to recover. “After repeating all the tests, we can confirm that my condition continues to improve,” the KTM Ajo team said in a new statement. The Spaniard has since been transferred to a private hospital for closer monitoring of the bruising to his lungs. Doctors expect him to be able to return to Spain soon to undergo surgery on his injured right hand in Barcelona in the next few days. “We would also like to take this opportunity to wish Jose Antonio a happy birthday. We hope to be able to celebrate together soon,” his team added. At the same time, it sends “all our strength to Noah Dettwiler, his family, and friends” and hopes for a full recovery for both riders. After the accident, criticism was voiced across all classes of the Motorcycle World Championship about how the situation was handled—especially the fact that the Moto3 race was started without much information about the condition of those who had crashed.
Experts also called for the reintroduction of warm-ups in the smaller classes, which were canceled in 2023. This is because Dettwiler’s motorcycle is said to have had a technical problem during the formation lap, causing him to slow down when exiting turn 3. With a warm-up, this would probably have been detected earlier.

George Russell reveals: This clause protects him from Max Verstappen

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George Russell says his Mercedes contract includes a performance-related clause that automatically secures his cockpit for 2027

George Russell has revealed details of a clause in his Mercedes contract that is designed to protect him from four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen. As long as the Briton performs well, his cockpit is secure.

The British driver signed a contract extension with the Brackley-based team after months of negotiations. Russell’s future was the focus of attention at the start of the season when Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff confirmed that he had held talks with Verstappen about a possible cockpit for 2026.

Although Wolff admitted that the likelihood of signing the Dutchman for next year was very low, he was in no hurry to extend the contracts of Russell and his rookie teammate Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Clause in the contract

Shortly after the rumors about Mercedes, Verstappen reaffirmed his commitment to Red Bull for 2026, but left the door open for a future departure from Milton Keynes. Although Russell now has a guaranteed extension at Mercedes, the question remained whether he would have to worry again next year.

However, in an interview with the Telegraph, the 27-year-old has now confirmed that his contract will be automatically extended for 2027 if he achieves a target agreed with Mercedes. This means that his future in the Wolff-led team is in his own hands.

“It’s something I haven’t said publicly before, but the deal is this: if I perform [next year], we have a special clause that says we automatically extend for 2027 if I achieve [the target],” Russell said. “So my cockpit for 2027 is in my hands.”

Russell played poker

“So I’m not going to be strung along here. We’re not going to be in the same situation we were six months ago. If I perform, and I don’t want to go into detail, but if I perform, then I’ll stay 100 percent.”

Regarding the delays in negotiations, he added: “Everything is working out for the best. I actually wanted to sign the contract in October 2024, but the deal I got today is much better than the one I would have gotten back then. So yes, sometimes you just have to trust your abilities, and I feel like I’m only getting stronger.”

Luca Marini: 2026 Honda already more powerful than the current bike

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Honda is making great strides this season, and Luca Marini is convinced that the 2026 RC213V is already more powerful than the current MotoGP bike.

Honda is optimistic about the future of MotoGP: According to factory rider Luca Marini, development of the new 2026 model of the RC213V is making great progress, and the motorcycle is already better than the current version.

If the manufacturer continues at this pace, Marini is certain that Honda will be able to fight for race wins on a regular basis again next year.

After several difficult years, Honda is enjoying its best season since 2021 in 2025. With one victory and three further podium finishes, most recently by Joan Mir at the Malaysian Grand Prix, the Japanese manufacturer has made a noticeable comeback.

Johann Zarco’s triumph at Le Mans and his second place at Silverstone in particular gave the team a much-needed boost. However, the decisive push came from the revised motorcycle, which was introduced after the summer break.

With a new chassis, swingarm, and improved aerodynamics, Mir achieved his first podium finish as a Honda rider at the Japanese Grand Prix. Last weekend in Sepang, he finished third again. Marini was also on course for a podium finish in Indonesia before a collision with Raul Fernandez threw him back.

2026 prototype already impresses

Thanks to the MotoGP concession system, Honda is already allowed to work on the RC213V for 2026, the last motorcycle under the current regulations. Marini tested the new prototype in Misano in September and was enthusiastic.

“Next year’s bike is already better,” he emphasizes. “We are constantly developing new ideas and updates. We will try it out again at the Valencia test, but I am convinced that it is already stronger than the current machine.”

According to Marini, Honda has worked intensively on the rear end in particular. “I personally wanted to develop the rear of the bike in particular, especially the rear end, because there is enormous potential there. Until now, the bike hasn’t given the rider the right feeling,” says the Italian, explaining the shortcoming. “In the past, all Honda riders complained about ‘floating’ and a lack of rear grip. I think we now understand how to solve that.“

”At every test, we bring something new to improve this feeling. We have now reached a very good level. Rear grip is still a problem, but much less so than last year or at the beginning of this season. The 2026 bike is already significantly better in this area.”

Both Honda riders with more confidence

In the last six races, Honda has scored 91 points in the constructors’ championship – more than in 2024 overall. Marini sees the reasons for this not only in the motorcycle, but also in the close cooperation between riders and team.

“We riders, Joan and I, are also developing together with the motorcycle. The bike has definitely taken a step forward, but it wasn’t one single thing that suddenly gave us five tenths. We’ve worked on every detail, in every area,“ says Marini, who sees the overall package as significantly optimized. ”This has allowed us to constantly improve our riding. We brake better, enter corners faster, turn more precisely, and get back on the throttle earlier.” “That’s fantastic because Joan and I are in very good shape right now. I think we can maintain this level of performance until the end of the season. The important thing is that we start again from exactly this point next year and continue to work to be a contender for victory. That will be the goal for next year.”

Honda has clearly set out to regain its former strength. With significant technical advances, growing rider confidence, and a prototype that is already proving impressive, Luca Marini believes the team is well equipped for a comeback to the top.
“We are on the right track. If we maintain this progress, we can regularly fight for victories in 2026. The potential is definitely there.”

Why Norris dominated in Mexico: McLaren team boss Stella explains

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With his start-to-finish victory in Mexico, Lando Norris regained the lead in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship – Andrea Stella explains the Briton’s dominance

According to McLaren team boss Andrea Stella, Lando Norris’ dominance at the 2025 Mexican Grand Prix was largely due to the fact that the track suited his driving style. The long-time McLaren driver never relinquished the lead during his start-to-finish victory on Sunday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, taking the lead in the 2025 Formula 1 World Championship with four races remaining in the season. This was also made possible because the previous leader, Oscar Piastri, could not get beyond fifth place in the sister McLaren. The Australian struggled with the special conditions at the altitude of Mexico City and the associated low grip level. These conditions cause the cars to slide heavily in the corners. According to Stella, this suited Norris perfectly, who now leads Piastri by one point after losing the championship lead in April at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.

Norris’ favorite conditions

“These special conditions with low grip suit him perfectly,” says Stella of Norris, who ended McLaren’s five-race winless streak. “For him, it’s a natural way to find a good lap time, which is almost the opposite of Oscar’s style.”

“That will only boost Lando’s confidence, and that will be important for the last four races,” Stella analyzes. “But I think both Lando and Oscar are going into the last four races with a lot of momentum.”

“I think the team is also going into the last four races with a better understanding of how to consistently get performance out of the car. Because in the races before Mexico, we left some performance in the garage at times.”

Norris’ and McLaren’s work pays off

This is in stark contrast to the rest of the year, in which Norris repeatedly complained about his difficulties in pushing the MCL39 to its limits. This was particularly evident in qualifying: Max Verstappen in the Red Bull has the most pole positions this year with seven, compared to five each for the two McLaren drivers. However, a breakthrough came in a debriefing after the Singapore Grand Prix, just two races before Mexico. McLaren and Norris searched intensively for ways to better tailor the MCL39’s setup to his preferences.

This ultimately led to the 25-year-old’s tenth Grand Prix victory of his career. Mexico was also the most statistically dominant victory by a driver since Max Verstappen in Hungary two years ago: Norris finished 30 seconds ahead of runner-up Charles Leclerc – just four seconds less than the Dutchman’s lead in Budapest at the time.

Norris’ dominance no surprise

However, Stella was not surprised by Norris’ performance, as he has shown similar pace in the past and has now won seven times from pole position.

“If we look at Lando’s past years, we’ve seen weekends with this level of dominance at other venues as well,” Stella said. “Last year we saw it at Zandvoort, we saw it in Singapore. So it’s not the first time Lando has performed at this level.”

“He was very convincing here [in Mexico],” praised the team boss. “I think he was basically the fastest in every single session. He was able to fully exploit the performance and strength of the car.”