MUNICH — Bayern Munich's Bundesliga title hopes all but evaporated after a 2-0 home loss to Borussia Dortmund on Saturday left them 13 points behind leaders Bayer Leverkusen with seven games remaining.
Bayern, winners of the previous 11 league crowns, were inefficient in attack and their first shot on goal came late in the second half, with usually deadly striker Harry Kane having earlier missed their best chances.
LEVERKUSEN — Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen scored twice late in the game with Robert Andrich and Patrik Schick to earn a 2-1 comeback win over Hoffenheim on Saturday and edge closer to the league title.
Leverkusen, unbeaten in 39 matches across all competitions this season, are on 73 points with seven games. Bayern Munich, who face Borussia Dortmund later on Saturday, are second on 60.
Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso ended speculation of a potential move to one of his former clubs Liverpool or Bayern Munich in the close season when the Spaniard said on Friday that he was committed to staying with the Bundesliga leaders.
Alonso, who has a contract with Leverkusen until 2026, has become the talk of Europe and a reported target for top clubs after leading his team through an unbeaten season while challenging for three trophies.
BERLIN — The German Football Association (DFB) announced that American sportswear giant Nike would become their official supplier from 2027 onwards, ending a decades-long partnership with German firm Adidas.
The DFB said on Thursday Nike would supply all national teams from 2027 to 2034, having made the best financial offer.
"The coming partnership allows the DFB for the next decade to work on central tasks with a view to developing football in Germany," DFB President Bernd Neuendorf said in a statement.
Germany Adidas split
Brenden Aaronson had a stand-out performance in Union Berlin’s Bundesliga win over Werder Bremen this Saturday, making a statement to his surprise absence from the USMNT.
The American scored a wonderful goal, making this his second goal of the season and his second in the last five matches. One-two at the edge of the box and a bullet strike in the upper-90 to double the home side's lead.
Brenden Aaronson goal vs. Werder Bremen
Bayern Munich fans have been banned from attending the away leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie after their supporters threw fireworks onto the pitch during their 3-1 win at Lazio earlier this month, the club said on Tuesday.
UEFA fined Bayern 40,000 euros after travelling fans set off fireworks during their 2-1 win at Copenhagen in October. Bayern were given a suspended one-match ban from purchasing away tickets in December. The incident at Lazio triggered the ban.
Bayern fans banned for fireworks
MUNICH, Germany — Harry Kane scored a hat-trick in Bayern Munich's 8-1 demolition of Mainz 05 on Saturday to set a Bundesliga record as the champions cut the gap on leaders Bayer Leverkusen to seven points.
Kane, who joined this season for a league record 100 million euros from Tottenham Hotspur, became the first player to score at least twice in eight different games in his first Bundesliga season.
He also equalled Uwe Seeler's record for most goals in a debut Bundesliga campaign by lifting his tally to 30.
Harry Kane sets a Bundesliga record
Real Madrid survived a real scare from RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday as Vinicius Jr. scored a critical goal in a 1-1 draw and 2-1 victory on aggregate to book a spot in the quarterfinals.
Fans have a big question about Real Madrid’s win. Should Vini. Jr have even been on the field when he scored his goal?
A controversial moment took place in the 54th minute when the Brazilian winger caught Leipzig’s Willi Orbán late on a tackle. When Orbán confronted Vini Jr. about the tackle the Real Madrid man shoved the defender in the upper chest/throat area.
BERLIN — Borussia Dortmund were left fuming over a penalty decision in Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 first leg that earned hosts PSV Eindhoven a 1-1 draw.
Donyell Malen had scored a superb goal for the visitors against his former side before Eindhoven's Luuk de Jong converted the spot kick in the 56th minute at the Philips Stadion.
"Zero percent penalty, zero," Dortmund defender Mats Hummels said of his challenge on Malik Tillman.
BERLIN — Bayern Munich have decided to end their collaboration with coach Thomas Tuchel at the end of the current season despite a contract to 2025, the club said on Wednesday.
Bayern lost their last three games in all competitions, including a 3-0 defeat to league leaders Bayer Leverkusen and have now dropped eight points behind them in the Bundesliga.
They were also beaten 1-0 by Lazio in last week's Champions League first leg and now risk going without any silverware for the first season in more than a decade.