Latest news with #DerKlassiker
Metro
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Metro
PSG vs Arsenal ref with 'terrible reputation' served six-month match-fixing ban
The referee for PSG's Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Arsenal tonight previously served a six-month match-fixing ban. Some football fans have been left concerned over the 'terrible reputation' of the German match official – Felix Zwayer – before the big game in Paris. Arsenal are hoping to turn things around and reach their first Champions League final since 2006 after losing 1-0 in the first leg of the semi-final tie. Zwayer will be the man in the middle at the Parc des Princes – here's everything you need to know about the controversial 43-year-old referee… Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Zwayer was handed a six-month ban 20 years ago in 2005 after accepting a £250 payment to help Robert Hoyzer fix a second-tier match in Germany between Rot-Weiss Essen and Cologne. Zwayer was working as a linesman at the time, taking the bribe from referee Hoyzer, with the latter revealed to be receiving money from a Croatian gambling syndicate connected to an organised crime group. Hoyzer, the main man responsible for the fixing the match, was banned from football for life while he also was handed a prison sentence. Zwayer was suspended for six months for his role in the incident before he went on to become a Bundesliga referee four years later in 2009. Despite the match-fixing incident taking place two decades ago, many football fans in Germany have never forgiven Zwayer for what he did. Even some players have referenced it – including England superstar Jude Bellingham – after Zwayer gave Bayern Munich a controversial penalty in a Der Klassiker match against his former club Borussia Dortmund in 2021. 'For me it wasn't a penalty,' Bellingham said. 'You can look at a lot of the other decisions in the game. You give a referee that has, you know, match fixed before, the biggest game in Germany – what do you expect?' Zwayer has officiated six matches in the Champions League this season and has issued four red cards, 31 yellow cards and two penalty kicks. In the Bundesliga this term, Zwayer has been in charge of 16 matches, handing out 70 yellow cards and five penalties but no red cards. Some football fans have been left gutted over the appointment of Zwayer for PSG's match against Arsenal, insisting the referee was 'terrible' when he took charge of England's game against the Netherlands at Euro 2024. More Trending 'Arguably one of the worst German refs,' @karoking1 posted on Reddit. 'Watch the Bellingham clips lol.' 'Nooooooooooooooo,' @IkeaKarma added. 'He [refereed] the Netherlands – England game and he was terrible.' 'Zwayer is generally solid… [But] has a terrible reputation in Germany,' @santa_94 said. 'Any time he makes a mistake people bring that story back up, and rightly so.' MORE: Arsenal preparing offer to sign £17m star as Real Madrid line up William Saliba transfer MORE: Mikel Arteta reveals the decision he made this season he wishes he could change MORE: Marco van Basten insists Barcelona must change Lamine Yamal's position after Inter defeat
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
St. Pauli v Bayer Leverkusen preview: Defending champions travel to newly-promoted Pauli
St. Pauli v Bayer Leverkusen preview: Defending champions travel to newly-promoted Pauli St. Pauli St. Pauli only lost to Bayern from their last five Bundesliga games. This streak helped Alexander Blessin's team to extend the gap between themselves and the playoff spot to a healthy seven points. Advertisement They also secured a first away win since matchday 18 with a 2-1 success at Kiel last week. Max Geschwill's 92nd-minute own-goal is decisive since it was a direct duel between teams in a relegation fight. In all likelihood, Pauli would secure their league status before facing Bochum – another team in automatic relegation spot – in the last week of the season. Team News Captain Jackson Irvine joined long-term absentees Karol Mets and James Sands in St. Pauli's treatment room. Bayer Leverkusen Xabi Alonso's team set to finish the season without a major title. If that was before last season's miracle, it might not be surprising. However, it'll be a disappointing return after winning the domestic double last time out. Advertisement Die Werkself had a chance to reduce the gap at the top last weekend, but they failed to beat Union Berlin at home. The difference remains six points going into the last five weeks of the season since Bayern also dropped two points at home in Der Klassiker. Leverkusen struggled to break teams in recent weeks, and the game against Pauli will pose another challenge. The newly-promoted side held one of the best defensive records in Bundesliga this season. Team News Nathan Tella is expected to be back in the squad, while Florian Wirtz might return to the starting XI. The only absentees in Leverkusen's side are Martin Terrier, Mario Hermoso and Jeanuël Belocian.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
📈 Power Rankings: Magpies fly in, Real fall again
📈 Power Rankings: Magpies fly in, Real fall again Power Rankings are back for another instalment as the season reaches crunch time. Here are the 10 sides in our updated Power Rankings table. 📈 Power Rankings: New entrants and giants in freefall 10. Bayern Munich (👎 Last week: 8) Bayern Munich's winless run extended to three games across the last week. An entertaining Der Klassiker ended all square with Borussia Dortmund, though the dropped points were not overly costly as nearest challengers Bayer Leverkusen were also held. Advertisement Bayern drew again in midweek, though this time the result was a bitter blow. Despite a spirited draw at Inter Milan, the German giants exited the Champions League. 9. Newcastle United (🆕) Newcastle United are flying right now and have racked up six straight wins in all competitions. In the past week, the Magpies have thrashed Manchester United and Crystal Palace at St James' Park, scoring nine goals and conceding just one. Up to third in the Premier League table, a runners-up finish is not beyond Eddie Howe's side. 8. Roma (👎 Last week: 5) Roma's hopes of a place in Europe were dented this week, after a 1-1 draw with Lazio in The Derby della Capitale. Advertisement Claudio Ranieri's side are 16 games unbeaten in Serie A but goals have been an issue of late. Roma have scored just five in their last five league games and remain five points off the top four with just six games to go. There's ground to make up. 7. Real Madrid (👎 Last week: 6) For a side so accustomed to winning, the manner of Real Madrid's European exit will hurt. Los Blancos had billed their second leg with Arsenal as 'La Remontada' but the Spaniards were second-best again at the Bernabeu. Defeat to the Gunners means it's just one win in five for Real Madrid across all competitions. Two huge upcoming Clásico contests could determine their season. 6. Liverpool (👍 Last week: 7) Liverpool climb back up a place after a much-needed and morale-boosting win over West Ham. It was not entirely convincing from the Premier League leaders, but Virgil van Dijk's late winner was the perfect response to West Ham's equaliser just moments before. Advertisement With Arsenal focused on Europe and dropping points again, Liverpool could be crowned champions as early as this weekend if results go in their favour. 5. Aston Villa (👍 Last week: 10) No side in Europe's top five leagues has won more games than Aston Villa (9) across their last 10 games. Unai Emery's team eased past Southampton in the Premier League at the weekend to maintain their top-five push, before a valiant – if losing – effort against PSG in Europe. Trailing 2-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate, Villa roared back to win 3-2 and get within one goal of forcing extra time. Given how good PSG have looked of late, it was a memorable way to bow out. 4. Arsenal (No change) Arsenal are into the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in 16 years after securing a famous win at Real Madrid. Advertisement The Gunners dropped points in the Premier League with one eye on Europe, but more than made up for that with a 2-1 win in the Spanish capital. Arsenal have now faced Real Madrid four times and never lost, while their quarter-final display was the most impressive of the final four teams. The race for the Champions League is fascinatingly open. 3. Inter Milan (No change) Inter Milan joined Arsenal in the Champions League's last four as the club's treble dream remained alive. Lautaro Martinez and Benjamin Pavard got the goals against Bayern Munich to book the Nerazzurri a semi-final spot. The next week is huge for Simone Inzaghi's side, who face Bologna in arguably their most difficult remaining league assignment and a Coppa Italia semi-final with AC Milan. 2. Barcelona (No change) Barcelona are another team on course for treble success. Advertisement The Spaniards squeezed past Leganes to retain their lead in La Liga last weekend, before progressing in Europe despite defeat at Borussia Dortmund. A four-goal cushion from the first meeting earned progress and set up a semi-final showdown with Inter. 1. Paris Saint-Germain (No change) Paris Saint-Germain hold onto the top spot despite defeat in Europe this week. Luis Enrique's side were made to weather a storm at Aston Villa, who roared back from two goals down on the night and 5-1 on aggregate. Fortunately for the French champions, their first-leg win set the stage for an aggregate win. With Ligue 1 wrapped up and the French Cup final not until May 24th, Enrique can rest and rotate up to his side's seismic showdown with Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals. Advertisement Read – The 10 best goalkeepers in the world right now See more – Champions League semi-finals are the most open in 20 years Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media:
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bundesliga matchday 29 recap: Der Klassiker thriller, relegation battles, European hustling, and much more.
Bundesliga matchday 29 recap: Der Klassiker thriller, relegation battles, European hustling, and much more. It was another thrilling weekend of Bundesliga football during matchday 29. From stuttering at the top to relegation battles as well as several 90th-minute winners, there are plenty of stories to get stuck into. Here is your recap and talking points from matchday 29 in the Bundesliga. Hoffenheim Safe, Ilzer Not Hoffenheim captain Andrej Kramarić scored a first-half brace to earn TSG Hoffenheim a huge win 2-0 against Mainz 05. The win puts TSG in 14th on 30 points in what was their first victory in five Bundesliga matches. With a much nicer cushion on the bottom three, you feel that Hoffenheim will be safe this season. Advertisement However, the same can't be said for their head coach, Christian Ilzer. Despite this huge win, it looks to be the case that head coach Christian Ilzer won't be around beyond the season. As reported by GGFN via Kicker, there appears to be a rift between players and coach that leaves the TSG front office leaning towards sacking Ilzer at the season's end and installing Paderborn head coach Lukas Kwasniok instead. Bayer Leverkusen & Bayern Munich Both Stall Bayer Leverkusen and Bayern Munich both drew this weekend, meaning it's as you were at the summit of the table. Early on Saturday, B04 were held to a goalless draw at home to Union Berlin. The one positive for B04 was the return of Florian Wirtz, who has been out of action for five weeks through injury. Wirtz played the last 30 minutes but was unable to help them find a winner. When asked whether or not the Bundesliga title race is over, head coach Xabi Alonso said: 'The feeling right now is that it's more difficult. We had a clear situation, and now we have to wait. 'But yes, we had an opportunity today and we missed it, but we still have five games. But the current feeling isn't euphoria. We need to wait and see but we're ready for everything and need to accept it.' Advertisement Later on Saturday evening, Bayern played out a thrilling 2-2 draw against Borussia Dortmund in Der Klassiker. Though Bayern will be disappointed not to capitalise on B04's draw, they haven't lost ground at the same time and remain favourites to win the title. Speaking after what was his last Der Klassiker Bayern veteran Thomas Müller told Sky Germany: 'It was a game of missed opportunities. I could have scored [in the 40th minute]. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that Emré [Can] was on the ground and that cancelled out the offside. I could have taken the ball and scored the 1-0. A 1-0 lead against Dortmund at home might have given us more adrenaline.' Freiburg Edge Past Gladbach SC Frieburg scored a late goal to ensure they leapfrog Borussia Mönchengladbach into 6th. The game got off to a flying start, with both goals coming in the 14th and 16th minute. From there, however, it was a cagey affair. However, Johan Manzambi's 90th-minute header sent the away fans into ecstasy and give Freiburg a huge boost for their European hopes. What's more, this was Manzambi's first Freiburg goal, and what a time to get it! Reflecting upon the moment after the game, Manzambi explained: Advertisement 'There were too many thoughts [in my head after scoring the goal],' noting that an image of his brother flashed in his mind before his teammates (noticing he wasn't celebrating) jumped all over him, 'What kind of goal celebration will I do? He [my brother] always told me that I would score soon. The goal was him today.' Freiburg now sit in 6th on 45 points, just three points off RB Leipzig in 4th. For Gladbach, all is not lost as they're in 7th on 44 points. Don't be surprised to see the European places go all the way to the final matchday of the season. St. Pauli Win Relegation Battle, Bochum Lose Late On St. Pauli scored a 90th-minute winner to beat Holstein Keil 1-2 in the Nord Derby on Saturday afternoon. It was a game that Keil could not lose; even a draw wouldn't be enough in truth. However, St. Pauli scored a scrappy goal right at the death to surely ensure that Keil will go down this season. For Pauli, it was a first Bundesliga win after being a goal down, and now means that they're 9 points clear of automatic relegation and 7 points clear of the relegation play-off. Relegation. Advertisement In the Ruhr region, Bochum lost to ten men FC Augsburg 1-2. Bochum were pushing for a winner, but a sucker punch right at the death inflicts more misery on their campaign. For Bochum, it means they're still in the automatic relegation places and still two points off Heidenheim in 16th. The likelihood is that Bochum won't get automatic safety this season. Their best bet is to pip Heidenheim in 16th and battle it out in the relegation play-off. Around The Grounds Elsewhere in the Bundesliga, RB Leipzig claimed 4th spot for now after a 2-3 win on Friday evening away at VfL Wolfsburg. Eintracht Frankfurt breezed past Heidenheim 3-0, whilst Oliver Burke scored twice to earn Werder Bremen an impressive win away at VfB Stuttgart. Now above Stuttgart, Bremen are just three points off 6th – they couldn't, could they? GGFN | Jamie Allen
The Guardian
16-04-2025
- Sport
- The Guardian
Inter v Bayern Munich: Champions League quarter-final, second leg
Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature Show key events only Please turn on JavaScript to use this feature There is another game going on tonight, just in case you didn't know. Wait … there are two! Alas, all matches are not created equal. Newcastle v Crystal Palace: Premier League – live Share Internazionale: Sommer; Pavard, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lautaro Martinez, Thuram. Subs: Di Gennaro, Josep Martinez, De Vrij, Arnautovic, Frattesi, Asllani, Carlos Augusto, Bisseck, Berenbruch, Cocchi, Zalewski, Taremi. Inter are more or less as expected. Their only change from the starting XI in the first leg is Dimarco back in for Carlos Augusto. Bayern Munich (4-2-3-1): Urbig; Laimer, Kim, Dier, Stanisic; Goretzka, Kimmich; Olise, Muller, Sane; Kane. Subs: Peretz, Klanac, Gnabry, Coman, Joao Palhinha, Guerreiro, Boey, Vidovic, Kusi-Asare, Pavlovic, Karl. Fresh from his goal in the first leg and his assist at the weekend, Müller starts! The German equals Lionel Messi's Champions League appearances (163) with the start tonight, only Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo now have more. Referee: Slavko Vincic Share After Inter ended Bayern's 22-match unbeaten home run in the first leg, Inter now hold the longest unbeaten home record (14 games) in the competition. That said, Bayern have won all four of their away games against Inter in European competition, including all three in the Champions League without conceding a single goal (2-0 in 2006, 1-0 in 2011 and 2-0 in 2022). Inter will be wary of complacency, given they exited last-season's Champions League in the round-of-16 to Atlético, despite taking a one-goal lead into the second leg. Share The team news will be out in around 20 minutes, so let's delve into a bit of pre-match reading. Andy Brassell wrote this on Monday after Bayern's 2-2 draw with Dortmund in Der Klassiker at the weekend. Not ideal preparation for this one, then, with Harry Kane particularly out of sorts. Delving a bit further into the archives, we have this piece from Richard Hall on the late, great Andreas Brehme, who served both Inter and Bayern with distinction. And speaking of legendary players that shone in both the red of Bayern and the black and blue of Inter, here's my 2019 interview with Lothar Matthäus. Lothar Matthäus: 'With Putin I talked football, judo and Brexit' Share In an age of steel and glass stadia, San Siro remains arguably the most iconic cathedral of football left on the continent. Internazionale and Bayern are fitting giants of Europe, nine European Cups between them. And while you might be tempted to check if Real Madrid have got the crucial, early goal to get Arsenal hearts a fluttering, the real action is here. This is a quarter-final on a knife-edge – Inter leading 2-1 from the first leg. Bayern – who won the Champions League final here in 2001 – are not likely to roll over. These Champions League nights in Milan are special, just ask the locals. They go absolutely potty for the pre-match anthem around these parts and tonight will be no different. The winner of this tie will earn a semi-final with Barcelona. It really doesn't get much bigger than this. Here's what Bayern manager, Vincent Kompany, had to say in the lead up to tonight. There's big anticipation for this game; it feels right. It's the best team in Italy against the best team in Germany at the moment. The stadiums are also among the best there are. It doesn't get much bigger than this. The quality and talent are there, too. The important thing is that we bring our best performance. Hopefully, we can experience a very special night for our fans, too. Kick-off: 8pm BST Share
