Defending champions Bayer Leverkusen host Bayern Munich on Saturday needing a “perfect day” to defeat the Bavarian giants and keep the Bundesliga title race alive. Bayern come to Leverkusen with an eight-point lead at the top of the table. Both sides have only lost once in the league this season but Leverkusen have been let down by their inability to win close games, with seven draws compared to Bayern’s three. Stung by failing to win a title last year, Vincent Kompany‘s Bayern are in ominous form, having won seven league games in a row.

A win, or even a draw on Saturday for Bayern, will deal a likely fatal blow to Leverkusen’s hopes of winning back-to-back titles.

However, Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso‘s record against Bayern will give the hosts hope.

Since taking over Leverkusen in October 2022, Alonso has won three and drawn two of five games against Bayern.

The most recent of those victories came in December, when Leverkusen eliminated Bayern from the German Cup in Munich after home captain Manuel Neuer saw red for the first time in his career.

In an interview with the Bundesliga website on Thursday, Leverkusen talisman Granit Xhaka backed his side.

“We can make it difficult for anyone, including Bayern Munich, we need a perfect day to beat this team, but I’m convinced we can do this,” he said.

“We won’t play for a draw, we want to win every game, whether that’s against Bayern on Saturday, or against any other team.

“Everything is still in our hands, we’ll keep going, keep believing, and try and win the next games.”

Unlike Bayern, who battled to a 2-1 victory at Celtic in the Champions League play-offs on Wednesday, Leverkusen could put their feet up in midweek, having finished in the top eight of the competition.

Both sides are benefiting from rich veins of form from their strikers.

Having struggled with a hamstring injury in December, Harry Kane has bounced back for Bayern and has nine goals in his past eight games in all competitions.

Leverkusen’s Patrik Schick is also among the goals. The Czech striker has 14 goals in his past 11 league outings.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund can build on their midweek 3-0 Champions League win at Sporting Lisbon, their first win under new coach Niko Kovac, when they play at rock-bottom Bochum on Saturday.

Third-placed Eintracht Frankfurt, who have drawn their past three games, will also want to get their top-four bid back on track when they face Holstein Kiel.

One to watch: Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen)

Sitting behind Patrick Schick, Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Florian Wirtz has pulled the strings all season.

So far this season, nine of Schick’s 20 goals have been assisted by Wirtz.

Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro, who oversaw Wirtz’s last contract extension with the club in 2022, told AFP in an interview on Thursday the 21-year-old “definitely makes it look easy — and that’s what makes him special.

“He has a view of the whole field. His technique, his first touch is amazing… Not that many are on his level.

Key stats

24 – St Pauli sit 14th but have conceded just 24 goals in 21 games. Only league leaders Bayern Munich have conceded fewer, with 19.

October 2021 – The date of Bayern’s last win in Leverkusen.

21 in 19 – Harry Kane has 21 goals in 19 league games this campaign, including nine penalties.

Thomas Tuchel, England’s manager confirmed that Harry Kane would continue as country’s captain, putting to rest any speculation about leadership changes under his reign. The Bayern Munich striker, who has been a cornerstone of England’s recent successes, has retained Tuchel’s trust. The German tactician, who was unveiled as Gareth Southgate’s successor in October, addressed the media on Friday following the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying draw. England will face Serbia, Albania, Latvia, and Andorra in Group K, with their campaign starting in March.

There is at the moment no need to think about change,” Tuchel told the reporters. “Harry was always a top captain for England. So why do you even think about it at the moment?”

“You cross the river when you cross the river. First, come January, we will be in touch with everyone and get the feeling for St George’s Park and also the players. And until March, there’s still a lot of football to be played, and then we will try to find the best group for the games that await.”

Tuchel, however, hinted at a holistic approach, suggesting that while Kane’s captaincy remains secure, all players will be given a clean slate when he assumes full responsibility. He emphasized the importance of independent decision-making, separate from Southgate’s era.

One player Tuchel is keen to reach out to is Arsenal defender Ben White, who last played for England during the 2022 FIFA World Cup but left the squad midway for personal reasons. White’s future with the national team has been clouded by rumors of a fallout with Southgate’s staff, which were later denied.

Tuchel appeared open to reintegrating the 26-year-old into the fold. “I will reach out to him,” Tuchel said. “It should be a clean start and a clear narrative. From January, I’ll be watching games and will try to speak to everyone, including Ben.”

With the qualifiers just 15 months before the 2026 World Cup in North America, Tuchel’s England project begins in earnest. The fixtures’ condensed schedule, starting in March, gives the new manager limited time to assess his squad.

Tuchel intends to begin his role by attending Premier League games in January, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the player pool. “It starts from January. I will be in the stadiums from January. I will also not distract the players, and they should just know, ‘Okay, the boss is there from January’,” Tuchel added.

“Then I will, of course, try to speak to them but also be respectful to the schedule that they have, because the schedule is busy in January, especially in the Premier League.”

Acknowledging the hectic domestic schedule, particularly in January, Tuchel pledged to respect the demands on players while building relationships.

Tuchel spoke enthusiastically about starting his England journey in conjunction with the World Cup qualifiers. He believes this framework provides a clear focus for the squad and ensures all energies are directed toward building a cohesive team for the long-term goal of global success.

“I like the framework, the narrative. I like it to start when the World Cup qualification starts, to have it as you kick off and go from there,” Tuchel explained. “It gives clarity in the selection process and in how we speak to each other and where we want to go.”

England’s draw offers a relatively straightforward path to qualification. Serbia, the group’s toughest opponent, will pose a challenge, but matches against Albania, Latvia, and Andorra provide an opportunity for England to fine-tune their systems. The five-team group also offers fewer fixtures, allowing Tuchel to focus on immediate and long-term improvements.

Harry Kane limped off but Jamal Musiala‘s 85th-minute header salvaged a 1-1 draw for Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich at the home of rivals Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. England captain Kane pulled up with a left thigh issue after 33 minutes, shortly after compatriot Jamie Gittens had opened the scoring for Dortmund. However, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said he was optimistic Kane’s injury was “not too bad” with Tuesday’s German Cup last-16 match against holders Leverkusen looming.  

“He (Kane) says it’s not too serious. Let’s hope so,” said Kompany with the 31-year-old set to undergo scans.

Bayern’s seven-point lead can be cut to four when second-placed Eintracht Frankfurt play Heidenheim on Sunday.  

Dortmund went back above Freiburg, who beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 on Saturday, into fifth place but remain 10 points behind the leaders. 

This Klassiker was a meeting between the teams with the best home and away records in the Bundesliga, and always promised to be an entertaining contest.  

Bayern started the game on top but Dortmund steadied the ship and took the lead in the 27th minute through Gittens’ superb individual goal.  

Dortmund captain Nico Schlotterbeck spotted the run of Gittens, whose stepover left Konrad Laimer in his wake. His searing pace kept him clear of Laimer down the left flank and he finished expertly past Manuel Neuer. 

It was a moment of brilliance from the Englishman and a repayment to coach Nuri Sahin for the faith he has shown in the 20-year-old, handing him 14 starts already this season. 

It was also the first goal Bayern had conceded since October 23, breaking a run of clean sheets that had stretched back eight games in all competitions.   

Bayern’s problems were compounded five minutes later with the loss of Kane but Neuer kept the Bavarians in the game keeping out a Marcel Sabitzer shot with his right leg just after the hour mark.

Bayern controlled much of the second half but could not convert their ball superiority into goals, until Bayern’s best player on the night Musiala secured a point.  

Leroy Sane’s free-kick struck the Dortmund wall, Sane found Michael Olise, whose pinpoint cross was nodded in by Musiala. 

“We’re happy to have come back, I think we deserved it,” said Thomas Mueller, Kane’s replacement from the bench. 

Schick keeps Leverkusen in touch

Earlier, Patrik Schick scored the winner as Bayer Leverkusen edged Union Berlin 2-1 to keep Bayern in sight. 

Leverkusen had flown out of the blocks, taking the lead inside two minutes through Jeremie Frimpong before Jeong Woo-yeong struck back for the hosts to restore parity before the break.  

But the champions found a winner in the 71st minute, with Czech forward Schick meeting Florian Wirtz‘s cross to settle a finely balanced game in their favour.  

Wolfsburg pulled off a shock 5-1 win at RB Leipzig, giving former Leipzig coach Ralph Hasenhuettl a triumphant return to his former club.  

Leipzig endured a nightmare start, with Wolfsburg leading 2-0 inside the first five minutes.  

Algerian striker Mohamed Amoura opened the scoring in the fourth minute, with Tiago Tomas doubling the advantage a minute later.  

Amoura added his second after 16 minutes, and Joakim Maehle piled on the misery for the hosts after the break.  

Leipzig captain Willi Orban tapped in a late consolation, but it was too little, too late, as  

Leipzig conceded four for the second consecutive league game and are now winless in six games, including four in the league, after their fast start to the season, slipping to fourth. 

In contrast, Wolfsburg have climbed to seventh and are unbeaten in their last five league games.  

Elsewhere, Freiburg held off Borussia Moenchengladbach to win 3-1 and bounce back from their 4-0 trouncing in Dortmund last weekend.  

In Bremen, Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic scored a brace as the visitors twice fought back to secure a 2-2 draw.  

A first-half penalty by Phillip Tietz gave Augsburg a 1-0 win over Bochum, who remain rooted to the bottom of the table with two points.  

Harry Kane says England must be careful not to lose the positive team culture they have created as they prepare for their final match before the arrival of new manager Thomas Tuchel. Interim boss Lee Carsley takes charge for the final time on Sunday as the Euro 2024 runners-up look for victory against Ireland that would seal promotion back to the Nations League top tier. It follows an impressive 3-0 win in Greece on Thursday that left England in control of their own destiny in their group.

Carsley stepped in following the resignation in July of Gareth Southgate, who led the team to a World Cup semi-final and two European Championship finals.

England captain Kane was asked on Saturday whether there was a risk the camaraderie built up during the eight-year Southgate era could be lost under a new manager.

“Yes, I think so,” said the Bayern Munich forward. “I think it takes a long time to build, and maybe not so long to lose if you’re not careful.

“But I think we’re well aware of that…. I think Lee has done a great job, and I’m sure Thomas will come in and have his own ideas and ways that he wants to build his culture.

“Ultimately, we’ve had some really good tournaments and it’s about using that experience and sharing some of those experiences to the players who haven’t had as much exposure to that.”

Kane said before the Greece match that he was disappointed by multiple withdrawals from the squad, insisting the national team must come first.

The forward said Saturday he was surprised by the impact his comments had made.

“After a major championship like the summer (Euro 2024), sometimes these September, October, November camps get forgotten about a little bit, just in terms of how important they are, because if we win tomorrow, it sets us up really well for the year ahead to the World Cup,” he said.

“These are the camps where you build that culture and that togetherness that leads you into a World Cup.

“It was just a reminder that playing for England is really, really special, and for me personally, it’s one of the greatest things I do as a professional footballer.”

Kane returns

Kane was dropped from the starting line-up for the win in Athens but Carsley said he would start against Ireland at Wembley.

“With Harry Kane you always think goals, but he brings a lot more to the squad and the team than that,” said the temporary boss.

“His leadership skills, he’s a good guy, which is really important as well. The example he sets to the younger players, he’s a crucial part of the England team and moving forward.”

And Carsley said he felt that the opportunities given to new players during his brief spell in charge would help Tuchel, who starts his job in January.

“We’ve got so much quality and they’ve put themselves in the picture now to be selected,” he said. “I think it’s good longer term as well. For Thomas, the pool of players has increased.”

Carsley confirmed England had suffered a 10th withdrawal of the November meet-up after Aston Villa defender Ezri Konsa went off with a hip complaint in Athens.

A second-half Jamal Musiala goal got Bayern Munich back on track in the Champions League with a 1-0 home win over Benfica on Wednesday. Struggling in Europe after back-to-back losses left them outside the knockout places, Musiala broke through the stubborn Benfica defence, heading in a Harry Kane assist. Bayern were dominant in possession but carved out few clear-cut chances, lacking fluency in front of a silent home crowd who refused to sing out of respect for a hospitalised fan.  

Despite the win, Bayern still have work to do in Europe, with this season’s Champions League final on home soil. 

The German giants sit 17th, one behind Dinamo Zagreb who they beat 9-2 in their opener. Bayern face French champions Paris Saint-Germain next in the competition.

“We had good moments. The opponent defended well. It was very important to get three points today,” Musiala said after the match. 

“We don’t have to win every game by four or five goals. Sometimes 1-0 is enough. We had to be patient. Now we carry on and look to the next game.”

Bayern coach Vincent Kompany said: “Sometimes it’s good to win like this — even though we of course prefer to win by three or four. 

“I knew we needed to stay patient and calm. We did that well. It was a good game and a good win.”

Unbeaten at the top of Bundesliga table under Kompany, Bayern have struggled in the Champions League this season despite the barnstorming opener against Zagreb.

A 1-0 loss at Aston Villa and a 4-1 thrashing by a supercharged Barcelona under former Bayern boss Hansi Flick had the six-time European champions flagging in the Champions League’s new single-league format.

With the match delayed by 15 minutes due to public transport issues and with their home fans silent due to a medical emergency in the stands, Bayern struggled. 

Bayern captain Manuel Neuer told reporters the side “didn’t celebrate in the cabin like we normally would” due to the incident. 

Musiala and Michael Olise dribbled in from either flank but were unable to break through a Benfica side looking to sit deep and take advantage of Bayern’s risky high line on the counter.

The best chance of the opening half fell to Serge Gnabry, who forced a strong save out of Anatoliy Trubin on the half-volley after 38 minutes. 

As the game wore on Bayern grew nervous, even if Benfica had few genuine chances as they looked for a first win in their 11th match against the hosts.

Leroy Sane added speed after his substitution and the former Manchester City winger would prove crucial, finding Kane who in turn set up Musiala to break the deadlock with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Bayern’s final match before the international break comes on Saturday in Hamburg against St Pauli.

Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane received the Golden Shoe award as the highest goalscorer in a European football league at a ceremony in the Bavarian capital on Tuesday. Kane scored 36 goals during the previous Bundesliga season, more than any other player in Europe. Despite being the top Premier League scorer three times, Kane had never won the award. “It’s a fantastic feeling,” Kane said.” “The award is for everyone. Without you, I wouldn’t be standing here today.

“I feel good and am looking forward to the new season. I feel a new energy.

“I’m very proud to receive this award.”

The prize was the latest won by the striker in a long list of personal awards, but Kane is still yet to win a team title in his career. 

Kane went trophyless in his debut year in Munich, the first time Bayern finished a season without silverware since 2012. 

He told reporters “I want to continue on as I started last season, but it is important to win titles. We want to achieve success as a team.”

Kane’s tally of 36 goals in 32 Bayern appearances is just five shy of the single-season record held by former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski of 41.

The forward said Lewandowski’s record was too far off to consider now. 

“Once we get to April and we’re a little bit closer, maybe it’s something we can talk about, but for now it’s just taking it game by game, trying to help the team by scoring goals.

“But also if we’re winning and I’m not scoring goals I’m not going to worry.”

This season’s Champions League final will be held in Munich and Kane told reporters “we have to be there”.

The England captain was handed the award by Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, who praised Kane’s character since making the move to Munich one season ago.

Created in the 1967-68 season, the Golden Shoe was formerly awarded to the top scorer in any European league, but in 1997 was changed to use a ranking system which favours players in higher-ranked leagues. 

With six wins, Lionel Messi has received the award more than anyone else. Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland have previously won the award. 

“It is something special that I am now mentioned in the same breath as these names,” Kane said.

Harry Kane helped drag Bayern Munich to a come-from-behind 3-2 win at Wolfsburg on Sunday in new manager Vincent Kompany‘s Bundesliga debut. Jamal Musiala put Bayern 1-0 up after 19 minutes but Wolfsburg took the lead with two Lovro Majer goals in the first 10 minutes of the second half. Bayern were nervy, with Ralph Hasenhuettl’s side pouncing on several defensive errors. A Kane header forced Wolfsburg’s Jakub Kaminski into an own goal after 65 minutes and the England captain set up Bayern’s third, laying on a pass for Serge Gnabry‘s 82nd-minute strike.

“It’s not perfect yet”, Kane told Bayern TV after the match, saying his side “got punished a little” in the second-half.

“We’re still obviously implementing some of the ideas of the coach.

“Obviously, the team is a lot stronger than this. I’m happy we’ve got a good week to work now, to get to work on the ideas the coach wants.”

Bayern midfielder Joshua Kimmich echoed Kane’s sentiments on network DAZN, saying “we lost control of the game due to many mistakes”, adding they “reacted well” when they fell 2-1 behind.

With 20 minutes gone, Kane, starting his first match since the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, found Sacha Boey on the right flank. 

The French defender dribbled past two Wolfsburg defenders and cut the ball across for Musiala, who tapped home to open the scoring. 

Musiala has six goals in eight games against Wolfsburg, more than any other side. 

Cool Majer

Wolfsburg were lucky to get away with what appeared to be a handball in the box 10 minutes later, with Kane shown a yellow card for remonstrating with the referee. 

Bystanders in the first-half, Wolfsburg burst into life early in the second, grabbing the lead inside the first 10 minutes.

Boey, who was making just his second start for Bayern since joining in January, went from hero to villain just a minute after the break, bringing down Tiago Tomas in the box.

Majer coolly slotted home, sending Manuel Neuer the wrong way.

The Croatia midfielder hit the post with Neuer flatfooted just a minute later but did not need to wait long for another opportunity, his 55th-minute goal putting Wolfsburg in front. 

Patrick Wimmer pressed Kim Min-jae into a mistake, collected possession and advanced on goal, drawing Neuer and laying off for Majer to score. 

Kane was crucial in helping Bayern draw level after 65 minutes. The England captain headed a deflected Joshua Kimmich cross goalwards and the ball bounced in off Wolfsburg’s Kaminski.

Kane created Bayern’s winner with eight minutes remaining, finding Gnabry who booted home from close range.

Bundesliga winners in 2009, Wolfsburg have not beaten Bayern since 2015, a run of 21 matches.

Later on Sunday, promoted St Pauli host Heidenheim in the final match of the round.

File image of Xabi Alonso.© AFP

Bayern Munich celebrate a goal vs Ulm in DFB Pokal.© X (Twitter)

Gareth Southgate has transformed England’s fortunes at major tournaments but once again fell just short as a painful 2-1 defeat in the final of Euro 2024 extended a 58-year wait for glory. Prior to Southgate’s appointment eight years ago, the Three Lions had reached just three major tournament semi-finals and one final in their history, when they won the 1966 World Cup. In the last four tournaments, England have reached three semi-finals and two finals but were undone by familiar failings as Spain rounded off their sublime tournament with a fitting victory.

Southgate had hailed a new “modern England” after they dominated possession to beat the Netherlands in the semi-finals.

But they were reduced to chasing shadows by Spain’s metronomic midfield and cut open by wing wizards Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams in Berlin.

Questions now turn to whether Southgate, whose contract expires at the end of the year, will continue in his role for the 2026 World Cup.

He admitted that the stinging criticism that came his way earlier in the tournament — as fans threw beer cups at the England boss after a 0-0 draw with Slovenia — had taken its toll.

But he is also aware that this is far from the end of the road for this generation of English players.

Cole Palmer, 22, capped his breakout season by scoring his first competitive international goal in the final.

Jude Bellingham turned 21 during the tournament, while Bukayo Saka (22) Phil Foden (24) and Declan Rice (26) will all still be in their prime in two years’ time.

“Without a doubt, England have got some fabulous young players and even the young ones now have got a lot of experience of tournaments,” said Southgate.

“Many of this squad are going to be around in two, four, six, eight years’ time.

“We have now been consistently back in the matches that matter, so it’s the last step that we haven’t been able to do.”

Yet, despite his record of going deep in tournaments, doubts remain whether Southgate is the best man to be in charge of such a richly-talented group of players.

England’s luck runs out

Hyped as one of the pre-tournament favourites, England coughed and spluttered their way towards the final thanks to a series of late goals and isolated moments of individual brilliance.

Bellingham’s overhead kick prevented an embarrassing last 16 exit to Slovakia, Saka saved the day against Switzerland before England advanced in a penalty shoot-out, and Ollie Watkins came off the bench late on to defeat the Dutch.

Palmer looked like he might dig Southgate out of a hole once more by curling in a brilliant equaliser against the run of play.

But England’s luck ran out in Berlin as this time they conceded late to Mikel Oyarzabal.

Southgate bemoaned his side’s lack of control and physical issues with many of his major players out on their feet.

He has to take his share of the blame though for relying so heavily on the same core of players all tournament despite having arguably the deepest squad in the tournament.

Eight England players started all seven games, while Southgate did not turn to his bench until they were trailing against Slovakia, Switzerland and Spain.

That followed a pattern as England threw away dream starts to lose to Croatia in the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup and Italy in the Euro 2020 final.

Southgate was unable to turn the tide as Luka Modric wrestled control for Croatia six years ago and Jorginho dominated the midfield for Italy in the previous Euros final.

This time Spain took the ball straight away with over 80 percent possession in the first 10 minutes and did not relent, even after player-of-the-tournament Rodri was forced off injured at half-time.

“Ultimately we lost to the better side and we have to reflect on how that happened but it is very clear in my mind,” added Southgate.

“For me the key was position of the ball and we didn’t have enough control.”

Southgate said he will take time to ponder his future.

But as England head home, football does not as the wait for international glory goes on.