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Two wild cards, twice decisive: Juve picks up “big points”

Jeffrey Gooding
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Two wild cards, twice decisive: Juve picks up “big points”

Juventus bounces back after its recent Serie A defeat—with a very important away win against its direct neighbor Bologna. The Turin coach was particularly pleased with the result.

Juventus had struggled to a 2-0 win over Pafos FC in the Champions League during the week, once again showing problems in their build-up play and dominance.

Coach Luciano Spalletti’s team, who lost his first game as Juve coach a week ago at his old club Napoli, did not improve in Bologna.

At FCB, however, the defensive department around Kalulu, Kelly, Koopmeiners, and the late returnee Bremer put in a convincing performance. The home side’s Rossoblu attack struggled greatly.

Cabal heads, Openda falls

And the best thing from the Old Lady’s point of view: Coach Spalletti made two correct decisions in the 61st minute by bringing on Cabal and Openda as fresh forces with the score at 0-0.

The former immediately became the match winner in the 64th minute when he lurked in the right spot after a short corner from Francisco Conceicao and crosser Yildiz and coolly headed in to make it 1-0.

Shortly afterwards, former Leipzig player Openda cleverly positioned himself after a long ball from keeper Di Gregorio, beat Heggem with a robust but fair challenge and was shown a straight red card after his emergency brake (69′). Bologna was unable to recover from this double blow in the form of a goal and a sending-off, even with the introduction of their own substitute and former Turin player Bernardeschi, who at least came close once (83′).

At the end of the day, the Italian record champions had secured three very important points, overtaking their direct neighbors in the table, Bologna, and positioning themselves within reach of the top of the league with 26 points.

Brazilian co-production leads to victory: Real Madrid strikes back at Alaves

Sports Of The Day
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Brazilian co-production leads to victory: Real Madrid strikes back at Alaves

After two recent competitive defeats against Celta Vigo and Manchester City, Real Madrid secured an away win at Deportivo Alaves. The victory was also of great significance for Xabi Alonso.

The 1-2 defeat to Manchester City in the Champions League did not result in Xabi Alonso’s dismissal as Real Madrid head coach. Nevertheless, the 44-year-old was under critical scrutiny in the away game at Alaves, who had recently won 1-0 against San Sebastian.

The Real coach changed his starting lineup in three positions after three players, Carreras, Endrick (both red cards) and Fran Garcia (yellow-red card), were suspended and unavailable. Alongside Arda Güler and Mbappé, who was fully fit again, 19-year-old Valde also started, making his professional debut.

Mbappé scores in the top right corner

The Royals started the game actively and created their first notable chances early on. However, neither Mbappé (4th minute) nor Rodrygo (12th minute) were able to put the ball in the back of the net, so the score remained 0-0 at the Estadio Mendizorrotza.

This remained the case until the 24th minute, when Mbappé finally put the visitors ahead. After a through ball from Bellingham, the Frenchman moved into the center of the penalty area, aimed for the right corner and sank the ball into the net in spectacular fashion.
Courtois on hand before the break

The hosts were again largely invisible after conceding the goal, with Real looking focused and largely error-free in their defensive play. Goalkeeper Courtois only had to intervene once in the first half, but he kept the upper hand against Pablo Ibanez from close range shortly before the break (45+3).

Although Alaves circulated the ball more confidently after the break, it was the Royals who initially made the more notable appearances. However, Sivera kept the deficit to a minimum against both Mbappé and Vinicius Junior (53′).

Substitute Vicente strikes – Vinicius Junior sets up Rodrygo

Deportivo coach Eduardo Coudet had to come up with something – and he had the brilliant idea of making a triple substitution in the 67th minute. Just one minute later, Antonio sent the newly substituted Vicente on his way, whose well-placed right-footed shot Courtois was unable to save. It was a bitter blow for Real and the beleaguered Xabi Alonso.

But it didn’t take his team too long to digest the goal. Just eight minutes later, Vinicius Junior powered through Jonny on the left and served Rodrygo perfectly with the outside of his foot. The 24-year-old crowned the Brazilian co-production to give Real the lead again.

No late penalty for Real

The home side were unable to avert their eighth defeat of the season. Instead, they were even lucky in the 86th minute when a tackle on Vinicius Junior did not result in a late penalty, even after VAR review.

Both teams are back in action on Wednesday, when Alaves host Sevilla in the Copa del Rey and Real travel to CF Talavera (both at 9 p.m.). In La Liga, Los Blancos, who also gave their coach three important points, face Sevilla at home three days later (9 p.m.).

Woltemade’s bitter own goal decides derby

Jason Maverick
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Woltemade’s bitter own goal decides derby

Newcastle United lost the heated derby in Sunderland—due to an unfortunate own goal by Nick Woltemade.

Nick Woltemade also played a leading role in the eagerly awaited Tyne-Wear derby – but not the one he had hoped for. The national striker scored an unfortunate own goal on Sunday afternoon, sealing Newcastle United’s defeat at AFC Sunderland, who are once again pulling away from their archrivals in the table.

Even before kick-off, the home fans at the Stadium of Lights made it clear how much they had missed this rivalry during their years of Premier League absence. In a large choreographed display, an unusual sight in England, they presented a large black cat pouncing on a magpie, a reference to the nicknames of both clubs.

Mukiele sets up Woltemade’s misfortune

The derby itself was not that uneven; it was more of a tough, low-scoring affair. After a goalless first half, former Leipzig player Mukiele crossed from the right to the near post less than a minute after the restart, and Woltemade, attempting to clear the ball unmarked, headed it into his own net with the help of the crossbar (46′). The stadium literally exploded. It was only the second own goal in a Tyne-Wear derby in the Premier League era. On the other hand, Woltemade remained harmless in his 75 minutes on the pitch (one shot on goal, twelve touches), as did the rest of the visitors’ team – unlike in Leverkusen (2-2) during the week. Newcastle ended the game with just 0.25 xGoals, although the home side were hardly any better with 0.29. However, Xhaka & Co. played cleverly after taking the lead and also benefited from the visitors repeatedly getting caught up in minor skirmishes. Ramsdale even prevented the score from becoming 2-0.

After a 1-1 draw in Liverpool and a 0-3 defeat at Manchester City, the strong newcomers won again and climbed to seventh place for the time being. The Magpies, who simply cannot achieve consistency in their results, are four points and five places worse off.

Haaland ice-cold, Sarr’s fatal hook: ManCity takes revenge on Palace

Andrew Jackson
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Haaland ice-cold, Sarr’s fatal hook: ManCity takes revenge on Palace

Manchester City is closing in on league leaders Arsenal again. Guardiola’s team took revenge on Crystal Palace for losing the FA Cup final – thanks in part to Erling Haaland’s clinical finishing.

ManCity faced Crystal Palace for the first time since losing the FA Cup final – and once again struggled from the start against the deep-lying Londoners, who, however, did little to make the game attractive at first. After an uneventful first quarter of an hour, Wharton woke up Selhurst Park with a brilliant pass: Yeremy found himself all alone in front of goal, but hit the crossbar (17′).

Palace became more active, albeit still with the handbrake on. Guardiola’s team had significantly more possession, with Reijnders replacing Doku, who was unavailable at short notice, compared to the 2-1 win at Real Madrid in the Champions League. But the second-placed team regularly came up against a brick wall in their offensive efforts, and as the home side’s pinpricks did not cause any real pain, all efforts by both teams petered out. Only a free kick from Foden (30th minute, saved by Henderson) provided any entertainment during this phase.

Haaland was also hardly to be seen – until the 41st minute. As so often, ManCity laid siege to the Eagles’ penalty area until Matheus Nunes decided to cross from the right half of the field. Richards was not close enough to Haaland, who skilfully nodded the ball into the far corner to give his side a 1-0 lead at half-time – his 16th Premier League goal. The Londoners’ wait-and-see tactics were now gone, and more initiative was needed after the restart. And it came.

Sarr’s puzzling decision – Foden ice cold

Just three minutes into the second half, Wharton stole the ball from the unfocused Nico 25 meters in front of the ManCity goal and then hit the outside post. In the 51st minute, Sarr broke away on the right. From 13 meters out on the right, he should have shot, but inexplicably decided to cut inside and got stuck. Glasner’s reaction on the sideline spoke volumes.

His team now took significantly more risks, pressing earlier – and that gave ManCity space. In the 57th minute, Reijnders could have made it 2-0 after a counterattack, but Henderson’s foot got in the way. At the other end, Wharton and Mateta tried their luck from distance, but ultimately without success. The pace remained high, with both teams playing openly at times. But it was Guardiola’s team that struck again: Cherki dribbled his way into the penalty area and, under pressure, passed the ball to the better-positioned Foden. From 20 meters out, he placed the ball in the bottom right corner with a well-placed left-footed shot (69′).

Savinho unstoppable

The Eagles’ efforts were evident in the closing stages: Sarr and Hughes were denied by the crowded defense (82′), Nketiah by Donnarumma (85′). The ball bounced around the visitors’ penalty area on several occasions, including in the 88th minute. But instead of striking, Savinho, who had just come on as a substitute, suddenly found himself with a clear run on goal, sprinted across the entire field and was only stopped by Henderson’s foul in the penalty area. Haaland converted the penalty to seal the victory in this top-of-the-table clash.

The two teams now face another busy week. Manchester City, who have won five games in a row, host Brentford FC in the League Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday (8:30 p.m.). Crystal Palace are in action in the Conference League on Thursday, facing Kuopion PS from Finland at 9 p.m.

LeBron leads Lakers to victory: Lakers hold on to lead against Suns

Phil Laffertey
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LeBron leads Lakers to victory: Lakers hold on to lead against Suns

The Los Angeles Lakers are back on the winning track thanks to a late victory over the Phoenix Suns. LeBron James scored the decisive points and made a block. However, the manner of the victory was controversial.

From the Lakers’ point of view, the victory ultimately had a bitter aftertaste. At the start of the final quarter, the Californians were leading the game by 20 points before the Suns staged an outstanding comeback. With twelve seconds left on the clock, Dillon Brooks sealed a 17:2 run in the final four minutes with a three-pointer, putting the home team back in front for the first time (114:113).

In the last attack of the game, LeBron James took a forced three-pointer deep in the shot clock after a pass from Luka Doncic. The “King” missed the target by a long way, but the referees awarded him a controversial shooting foul by defender Devin Booker – much to the annoyance of the Suns team. James made two of three free throws (114-115). With three seconds left, Phoenix’s Allen attempted a last-ditch floater, but James once again had his fingers in the play.

Ayton excels against his former team

LeBron, who celebrates his 41st birthday in just under two weeks, finished the game with 26 points and four assists, but also eight turnovers. The Yellow-Purples’ top scorer was Luka Doncic with 29 points, but he also had major offensive problems (7/25, 13/14 FW).

In addition to the decisive possessions at the end of the game, the Lakers’ work on the boards made the big difference. The Californians won the rebound battle 54-37, with 24 offensive rebounds alone. Former Sun Deandre Ayton stood out with 13 rebounds, six of them offensive, and 20 points (10/11).

Six Phoenix players scored in double figures, with Devin Booker leading the way with 27 points and 7 assists. Center Mark Williams added 20 points (9/10).

With 18 wins and seven losses, the Lakers remain in fourth place in the Western Conference. The Phoenix Suns remain in seventh place, however, as the Lakers and Grizzlies were once again unable to apply any pressure.

Internal power struggles: Helmut Marko explains why Max Verstappen lost the title

Sports Of The Day
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Internal power struggles: Helmut Marko explains why Max Verstappen lost the title

Helmut Marko is convinced that Max Verstappen would have become world champion if Red Bull had parted ways with Christian Horner earlier.

Despite a strong comeback, Max Verstappen narrowly missed out on his fifth consecutive Formula 1 world title this season. Former Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko is convinced that the Dutchman could still have become world champion. In his view, this would have required an earlier split from team boss Christian Horner.

“We had to act because performance on the track was declining. And if we had done it earlier, we would have gotten back on track faster and Max Verstappen would have become world champion this year,” Marko said in an interview with Dutch newspaper De Limburger. “I am absolutely convinced of that.”

Shortly after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, it was announced that Red Bull and Helmut Marko were ending their more than 20-year collaboration with immediate effect, despite an ongoing contract. Last summer, Marko, in consultation with Oliver Mintzlaff, who is responsible for the sports division at Red Bull, had already pushed for the dismissal of Christian Horner as team principal of Red Bull Racing. Horner had also been part of the team for more than two decades.

How Christian Horner wanted to seize power

Horner’s departure was widely interpreted as the end of an internal power struggle. Marko disagrees with this interpretation. “That’s how it was always described in the media, but it was nothing personal,” says the 82-year-old Austrian.

“Together with Didi [Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz], I founded Red Bull Racing in 2005. We appointed Horner as team principal, and I was there as supervisor,” Marko said of the team’s inception. “Basically, the power always lay in Austria. We made the decisions.”

Mateschitz passed away in October 2022. Marko recalled an event a few months earlier. “I remember a celebration earlier in the year, before the Austrian Grand Prix. Didi was there, but his health was already failing.
Christian came up to me and said, ‘He won’t live to see the end of the year.’“ From that point on, Horner began to get closer to Thai co-owner Chalerm Yoovidhya.
Helmut Marko accuses Christian Horner of ”dirty tricks”

“When Didi died later that year, Christian did everything he could to take control of the company with Yoovidhya’s support,” Marko continues. “On behalf of the Austrian side, I did everything I could to prevent that.” This approach was ultimately successful, but it required the separation from Horner.

After the summer break and Horner’s departure, Verstappen had started a remarkable comeback under new team boss Laurent Mekies and finished the season just two points behind world champion Lando Norris. Nevertheless, Marko looks back critically on the last few years of working with Horner. “These last few years with Horner were not pleasant,” he explains. “Dirty games were played.”

Marko referred to several allegations that he described as deliberate misrepresentations. “Remember the claim at the time of Sergio Perez that I said Mexicans are less focused than Dutch or Germans? That was fabricated, possibly by them,” says Marko, referring to Horner’s entourage.

He made similar comments about rumors from 2024 regarding alleged delays in engine development. “The same applies to the claim that I spread the word that our engine development was behind schedule and that we would therefore lose Ford as a partner. I never said that,” Marko emphasized.

Horner wanted to use these allegations to get him suspended. “Thanks to Max’s support in Jeddah, that didn’t happen.” Ultimately, Horner also lost the backing of Chalerm Yoovidhya. “We were able to prove more and more often that Horner lied about everything,” Marko said. “When Chalerm realized that too, he changed his mind.”

After Güven’s departure: Which champions have also failed to defend their titles

Lesley Summerville
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After Güven’s departure: Which champions have also failed to defend their titles

The current champion Ayhancan Güven will leave the DTM and will not defend his title in the 2026 season – why this is rare, but not unprecedented

Since Monday, it has been officially confirmed that this year’s DTM champion Ayhancan Güven will not defend his title in the 2026 season. The 27-year-old Turkish driver, who clinched the title in the last race, is moving to the World Endurance Championship (WEC) and thus relinquishing his DTM crown without a fight.

The fact that there is no defending champion in the DTM is rare, but not unprecedented: in the racing series’ more than 40-year history, there have been several champions who ended their careers, at least temporarily, and did not defend their titles in the season following their great triumph.

Belgian Eric van de Poele, DTM champion in 1987, was the first: the BMW driver did not have a regular cockpit in 1988 and thus relinquished his title without a fight. He only returned for two races at the finale in Hockenheim, and in the following years he only competed in selected races. He never drove a full DTM season again.
Roberto Ravaglia, who won the DTM title in the 1989 season, also largely turned his back on the series the following year. Instead, the Italian competed in a Toyota 90C at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the World Sportscar Championship. In the DTM, Ravaglia only drove two races at the Norisring in Nuremberg in 1990. In the 1992 season, the BMW driver returned for a full season, but was unable to win another title. In the “new” DTM from 2000 onwards, there were also several champions who did not compete in the series in the year after winning the title. One of the drivers before Ayhancan Güven who decided not to defend their title was Pascal Wehrlein.
The youngest overall winner in DTM history turned his back on the series because he made the leap to Formula 1 after winning the title.

Explained: What the handicap rule means for 2026

Jeffrey Gooding
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Explained: What the handicap rule means for 2026

What restrictions will apply to development in 2026 and what that means: An exclusive excerpt from Stefan Ehlen’s book “Formula 1: Everything You Need to Know.”

Since 2021, Formula 1 teams have no longer been able to determine the technical development of their cars without restriction.
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) has ensured this by issuing special rules designed to improve equal opportunities in Formula 1. The final standings in the constructors’ championship are particularly important in this regard: the table serves as the starting point for the classification of the individual teams at the beginning of the new Formula 1 season – who has to work with which handicap.

Stefan Ehlen describes the exact mechanisms in chapter 9 of his new book “Formula 1: Everything You Need to Know” (Meyer & Meyer Verlag), which focuses on the Formula 1 regulations.  Order “Formula 1: Everything You Need to Know” here now! * The work, from which we are exclusively permitted to quote below, is a guide to the sporting and technical Formula 1 regulations and highlights precisely those nuances that are often lost in the general euphoria:

9.3.4 Operational rules

“The operational regulations of Formula 1 describe certain procedures that teams must adhere to. These include, for example, mandatory factory closures for 14 days during the summer break and for 9 days during the winter break.”

During this period, development work must be completely suspended: no simulations may be created or wind tunnel tests undertaken, and the manufacture of parts is also prohibited. However, the teams are free to choose the exact period of closure themselves. They are also permitted to carry out necessary repairs to the vehicles or maintenance work on the factory infrastructure.

Another key area of the operational rules concerns the teams’ development scope for wind tunnel tests (in hours) and digital simulations (in trials). Formula 1 uses a handicap system here, which restricts stronger teams and favors weaker teams.

The final position in the previous year’s World Championship standings is initially decisive for the classification. For all subsequent periods, the current interim World Championship rankings of the teams at points during the year are to be determined.

This determines how much development effort the teams are allowed to put in: seventh place corresponds to one hundred percent. There is a graduated deduction for positions above this and a graduated bonus for positions below. The values for tenth place apply analogously to an eleventh or new team. In addition, the operational regulations provide for various restrictions on drive development: test benches may be used intensively in the three years prior to the first race use of a drive. In the first year of competition, the time is reduced to about one-third, and for all subsequent years, it is halved again.”

Looking ahead: The new era of 2026

In addition to the current regulations and historical classifications, the book also offers an outlook on the massive change that Formula 1 is about to undergo. From 2026, completely new drive and chassis regulations will come into force. Anyone who wants to use the winter break not only to find out about the finer points of how the title is awarded, but also to prepare for the coming technical revolution, will find the relevant background information in “Formula 1: Everything you need to know.”

Tradition meets luxury: Why the Monaco Grand Prix will have a new name from 2026

Phil Laffertey
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Tradition meets luxury: Why the Monaco Grand Prix will have a new name from 2026

The Monaco Grand Prix is getting a new title sponsor: The deal underscores Formula 1’s growing focus on premium brands.

The Monaco Grand Prix will have a new title sponsor starting in the 2026 season. As confirmed by the Automobile Club de Monaco (ACM), the race will be held under the name “Formula 1 Louis Vuitton Grand Prix de Monaco” in the future. The luxury goods group has signed a multi-year agreement with Formula 1 and the ACM and will take over the role of TAG Heuer, which was the event’s title sponsor last year.
Louis Vuitton will have an extensive presence along the track as part of the partnership. The race in the principality will celebrate its 83rd edition in 2026. The collaboration is part of Formula 1’s strategic focus on premium and lifestyle partners. The fashion group is part of the LVMH Group, which has been an official partner of Formula 1 since last year as part of a ten-year global contract. Louis Vuitton has been an integral part of the Monaco weekend for several years. The custom-made trophy box is one of the defining elements of the award ceremony. In addition, a partnership with the Automobile Club de Monaco already existed between 2021 and 2024.

The sixth consecutive trophy box, manufactured in Asnières, France, has been announced for 2026. The design combines red Monogram canvas with a white and red V motif, which stands for “Vuitton and Victory” and is inspired by the Monaco flag.

Liberty Media President Greg Maffei highlighted the shared values of the partners: “LVMH and Formula 1 are two global brands that continually push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, values that are at the core of Liberty Media,” Maffei explained.

He added: “We were thrilled to work with one of the LVMH Maisons at last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix and now look forward to expanding our relationship with the group as a global partner. The opportunity to scale our commercial agreements exemplifies the vision we have for Formula 1 as the business continues to expand its platform.”

Tennis player banned for 20 years for match-fixing

T0m@dmin1
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Tennis player banned for 20 years for match-fixing

Quentin Folliot has not been able to make a name for himself internationally in sports for quite some time. However, the Frenchman is now in the spotlight for other reasons.

Tennis player Quentin Folliot has been banned for 20 years by the International Tennis Integrity Agency. The reason: according to the investigation, he is said to have played a central role in a match-fixing network. In addition to the ban, the 26-year-old must pay a fine of $70,000 and reimburse approximately $44,600 (a total of €97,700) in illegally obtained winnings.

Folliot reached his highest ATP ranking of 488 in August 2022. He was found guilty in 27 cases, including intentional match-fixing, attempted bribery, and destruction of evidence. His refusal to cooperate with investigators was particularly serious, which led to a harsher penalty.

He is already the sixth player to be sanctioned as part of a large-scale investigation.

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