Latest news with #MatejKovar
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
SC Freiburg 2-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Freiburg had the chance to not only increase their chances of qualifying for the Champions League this season, but they could also be kingmakers and crown Bayern Munich champions, if they beat Bayer Leverkusen. Leverkusen knew what the task was: play so badly that Bayern would win the title today and become 'Sofameister'. Freiburg were simply the better side for very much of the first 45 minutes of the game, despite dominating the ball, die Werkself were unable to do anything reasonable with it. Freiburg thoroughly outworked them the whole game and hustled in defence to stifle Leverkusen. Just before half-time, Maximilian Eggestein's long-range effort beat Matej Kovar to give Freiburg the lead. Advertisement The hosts would double their lead within three minutes of the second half when Piero Hincapié prodded a Johan Manzambi cut back into his own net. It had seemed that Freiburg were going to see out the win and take a big leap towards Champions League qualification, as they continued to outwork Leverkusen and held them at bay for very much of the game. However, as we have seen for parts of this season, the old Leverkusen reared its head. Florian Wirtz's curling effort from outside the box beat Florian Müller to set up a tense finale. Then it happened. Again. In the 94th minute, a Nathan Tella cross was met by the shoulder of Jonathan Tah to make it 2-2. The draw still confirmed Bayern as champions, but we will all likely forget this by next week. Did Leverkusen deserve this result? no. They stunk the place out for most of the game with how they played, once again showing that this squad needs a refresh. Advertisement The late equaliser makes Freiburg's qualification for the Champions League slightly more difficult. In their final two games of the season, they face Holstein Kiel, who are trying to attempt a great escape (to the relegation playoff) and Frankfurt on the final day of the season. Granted, they are still in the top four and in a favourable position, but they will need to be perfect to realise the UCL dream, especially after throwing it away in 2022. As previously pointed out by the Gegenpressing Podcast, Freiburg have the potential to be a strong team in Germany and qualification for Europe's premier competition would allow the Breisgau to take the next step as a club, similar to Eintracht Frankfurt in the past couple of leagues. SC Freiburg: Florian Müller (5), Max Rosenfelder (5), Matthias Ginter (6), Philipp Lienhart (6), Jordy Makengo (6), Maximilian Eggestian (6), Patrick Osterhage (6), Ritsu Doan (5), Johan Manzambi (7), Vincenzo Grifo (6), Junior Adamu (6) Advertisement Others: Merlin Röhl (5), Lukas Kübler (5), Jan-Niklas Beste (-), Kilian Sildillia (-) Bayer Leverkusen: Matej Kovar (5), Edmond Tapsoba (5), Jonathan Tah (5), Piero Hincapié (4), Jeremie Frimpong (5), Granit Xhaka (5), Aleix Garcia (5), Alejandro Grimaldo (6), Emiliano Buendia (4), Florian Wirtz (6), Patrik Schick (4) Others: Arthur (5), Exequiel Palacios (5), Amine Adli (5), Nathan Tella (5) GGFN Man of the Match: Johan Manzambi (7) Considering Manzambi has only broken into the Freiburg in recent weeks. He has impressed in most of his starts, and today was no different. He ran until he couldn't run anymore this afternoon. The 19-year-old also (technically) provided the assist for the own goal scored by Piero Hincapié. Advertisement The great thing about Freiburg is that they are seemingly able to just find a replacement for a long-serving player out of nowhere, and Manzambi seems to be the next replacement for Lucas Höler. GGFN | Jack Meenan
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Leverkusen ready to offload six players in the summer
Bayer Leverkusen are ready to offload six players in the summer transfer window, according to Sport Bild. The German publication claims that Aleix Garcia, Victor Boniface, Jonas Hofmann, Matej Kovar, Arthur and Odilon Kossounou are all free to leave. Garcia has struggled to hold down a starting berth since his €18 million move from Girona last summer and has repeatedly expressed his dissatisfaction with his playing time. Boniface, who almost left Leverkusen for Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr in January, has been involved in several disciplinary cases this season and has slipped behind Patrik Schick in the pecking order. The report also claims that Schick doesn't want to stay at the club if Boniface stays, which is an extra incentive for Leverkusen to get rid of the Nigerian striker. Jonas Hofmann has struggled for game time this season, while Matej Kovar hasn't been able to convince that he should be the club's first-choice goalkeeper in the long term. Arthur has mostly been used as a substitute, and the arrival of Nordi Mukiele on loan from Paris Saint-Germain has further limited his opportunities. Odilon Kossounou is currently on loan at Atalanta, who could make the move permanent. The report also states that Die Werkself are ready to sell Florian Wirtz if he decides to turn down a contract extension beyond 2027. Jeremie Frimpong has been heavily linked with a move away from Leverkusen, with the club powerless if his €40 million release clause is met. Edmond Tapsoba also has a release clause, but it's set at €100 million. Nordi Mukiele, Mario Hermoso and Emiliano Buendia are on loan at Leverkusen until the end of the season. Hermoso and Buendia look set to return to AS Roma and Aston Villa respectively, while Die Werkself could potentially make Mukiele's loan move from Paris Saint-Germain permanent.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kovar's Leverkusen future uncertain as replacements are lined up
Bayer Leverkusen's second-choice goalkeeper Matej Kovar can leave the club in summer, Kölner Stadt Anzeiger reports. Since his arrival from Manchester United in 2023, Kovar has failed to oust first-choice Lukas Hradecky from the goal. The Czechia international did enjoy spells between the sticks in last year's Europa League run and this season's Champions League campaign. However, the 24-year-old does not seem to be part of Leverkusen's long-term plans. A host of potential replacements have been listed including Man City's backup Stefan Ortega, SC Freiburg's Noah Atubolu and Alex Meret of Napoli. Several rumours have also linked Die Werkself to promising Spanish shot-stopper Joan Garcia who is currently at RCD Espanyol.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report: Leverkusen looking for new keeper as Kovar can leave
Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly set to let goalkeeper Matej Kovar go in summer and have started looking for a new man alongside Lukas Hradecky. Daily Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger said that Kovar can leave two years after arriving from Manchester United despite a contract until 2027. Kovar played 30 matches, mainly in cup competitions including the Champions League, but never fully managed to be on par with Hradecky. "It is part of our job and especially that of the scouting department to be prepared for all scenarios in all positions. That also applies to the goalkeeper position," Leverkusen managing director for sport Simon Rolfes said. Candidates are said to include Manchester City's Stefan Ortega, Noah Atubolu of Freiburg and Napoli's Alex Meret.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bayer Leverkusen vs Bayern Munich – Predicted lineup and team news
The odds are stacked against Bayer Leverkusen in the second leg of their Champions League tie with Bayern Munich. A poor performance from the German champions saw Leverkusen lose 3-0 at Bayern in the first leg and it would take a miraculous recovery to progress to the quarter-finals tonight. Architects of their own downfall, a howler from Matej Kovar gifted Jamal Musiala a goal after Harry Kane's opener, before Nordi Mukiele was sent off for Leverkusen. Things went from bad to worse when Edmond Tapsoba conceded a penalty for Kane to convert and make it three. After a historic German double last season, Leverkusen's season is in danger of petering out. Xabi Alonso's side are eight points behind Bayern in the Bundesliga and, barring an incredible comeback, also set to exit Europe to their domestic rivals. After losing to Werder Bremen at the weekend, Leverkusen have lost successive games for the first time in 22 months. Leverkusen's hopes of a comeback have been dealt a huge blow with the news that Florian Wirtz will be out until April. The talismanic midfielder has been ruled out for an extended spell with an ankle injury. Mukiele's red card in the first leg leaves Xabi Alonso without another first-team regular, while Robert Andrich is a doubt through illness. Jeanuel Belocian is a long-term absentee. Bayer Leverkusen predicted XI: Hradecky; Tapsoba, Tah, Hincapie; Frimpong, Xhaka, Palacios, Grimaldo; Tella, Boniface, Schick. Bayer Leverkusen host Bayern Munich in the last 16 of the Champions League on Tuesday 11th March 2025. Kick-off in Germany is 20:00 GMT. The clash will be shown live on TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports 3. Read – See more – | | | |
