Sports
Boniface scores as Leverkusen continue unbeaten season with 5 -1 win at Frankfurt
Boniface scores as Leverkusen continue unbeaten season with 5 -1 win at Frankfurt
Victor Boniface was on the score sheet as Bayer Leverkusen stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions this season to a whopping 48 games thanks to a 5-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt, ending their five-match losing run in away head-to-heads in the process.
With the league title in the bag, one foot in the UEFA Europa League final and a DFB-Pokal final on the horizon, things couldn’t be going much better for Leverkusen at the moment.
However, given the prospect of an unbeaten league season is still on the cards, there was never likely to be let-up in performance levels, and Leverkusen showed as much inside 15 minutes when Granit Xhaka thundered home from the edge of the area to fire them into an early lead.
Their advantage should have been doubled moments later, too, when Jonas Hofmann unselfishly squared for Exequiel Palacios, but a last-ditch Willian Pacho block kept Frankfurt in the game.
That proved to be a crucial stop as, shortly after the half-hour mark, a short-corner routine ended with Hugo Ekitike steering home Fares Chaibi’s measured delivery in what was Die Adler’s first meaningful attack of the game.
The hosts’ leveller seemed to change the match’s momentum, with Frankfurt in the ascendancy as HT approached, and Omar Marmoush wasted a fantastic opportunity despite being one-on-one with Lukas Hradecky, incredulously blasting his effort into orbit when in acres of space.
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His miss proved costly moments when, on the stroke of half time, Patrik Schick powered home Adam Hlozek’s delivery at the back post.
Only a goal down, Frankfurt were still in the encounter, but they self-imploded shortly after the restart when a moment of madness from Niels Nkounkou saw him pull Nathan Tella’s shirt inside the area. A penalty was duly awarded and, having been denied earlier, Palacios scored to leave the hosts with a mountain to climb.
That became an insurmountable ascent a little under 15 minutes from time when a lightning-quick Leverkusen counter culminated with Hofmann laying the ball on a plate for substitute Jeremie Frimpong to tap home Die Werkself’s fourth.
Damage limitation was all that was left for Frankfurt, but they were unsuccessful in doing so. Ansgar Knauff caught Frimpong in the area, and after a swift VAR check, a penalty was awarded.
Victor Boniface fired home to round off the scoring and leave Frankfurt knowing they still need a win from their remaining two games to mathematically secure a top-six finish.
As for the juggernaut that is Leverkusen, they’re showing no sign of slowing up and even with boss Xabi Alonso in the stands, displayed yet another dominant performance.
They are now level with Benfica’s 59-year European record for the longest unbeaten run in all competitions, and they can write another piece of history against Roma on Thursday.
Boniface scores as Leverkusen continue unbeaten season with 5 -1 win at Frankfurt
Sports
EPL: Aaron Ramsdale to join Arsenal’s rival, agrees deal
EPL: Aaron Ramsdale to join Arsenal’s rival, agrees deal
Barring any last minute changes, Arsenal’s goalkeeper, Aaron Ramsdale, will leave the club after three years.
Ramsdale, who has fallen down the pecking order at the north London’s club, will be plying his trade with Arsenal’s rival, Newcastle United, next season.
Ramsdale, who joined Arsenal from Sheffield United for £24 million in 2021, is poised to join Newcastle during the summer transfer window.
He established himself as the club’s first-choice keeper, making 78 appearances over his first two seasons.
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However, his position came under threat following David Raya’s loan arrival from Brentford.
This season, Ramsdale has had little playing time, featuring in just six Premier League games under Mikel Arteta.
With Raya expected to secure a permanent move to Arsenal, the club is reportedly open to offers for Ramsdale, who still has two years left on his contract.
Newcastle have emerged as the frontrunners to secure Ramsdale’s services.
According to Sky Sports’ James Green, the 25-year-old goalkeeper has agreed to a deal that will see him move to St James’ Park.
EPL: Aaron Ramsdale to join Arsenal’s rival, agrees deal
Sports
La Liga President confirms Mbappe to Real Madrid move
La Liga President confirms Mbappe to Real Madrid move
La Liga president Javier Tebas says Paris Saint-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe will join Real Madrid next season.
“He’s Madrid’s next season, yes,” Tebas told Argentine daily sports newspaper Ole on Monday. “If they’ve signed a five-year deal, he has five seasons of opportunity (to win the Champions League).”
Mbappe is set to join a star-studded Madrid team led by Brazil’s Vinicius Junior and England international Jude Bellingham.
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Los Blancos strolled to the Spanish title and are in the Champions League final at Wembley against Borussia Dortmund on June 1.
”(Mbappe) is one of the best players in the world, but Vinicius and Bellingham are there too, Madrid will have a great squad,” continued Tebas. “But that does not guarantee you will win leagues.”
Mbappe is PSG’s all-time record scorer with 256 goals, having joined the club from Monaco in 2017 for 180 million euros ($194 million).
With PSG he won six French league titles but failed to earn Champions League glory, finishing as runners-up to Bayern Munich in 2020.
By joining record 14-time winners Real Madrid, Mbappe would increase his chances of finally earning club football’s most prestigious trophy.
La Liga President confirms Mbappe to Real Madrid move
Sports
Juventus beat Atalanta to win Coppa Italia
Juventus beat Atalanta to win Coppa Italia
Juventus won their first major trophy in three years as they beat Atalanta 1-0 to lift a record-extending 15th Coppa Italia.
Dusan Vlahovic scored the only goal in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico after just four minutes when he received Andrea Cambiaso’s pass before finishing from 12 yards out.
The Serbia striker later had a goal disallowed for offside.
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Atalanta’s Ademola Lookman and Juve’s Fabio Miretti hit the woodwork late on.
Under-pressure Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri, who has won a record five Coppas Italia, was sent off towards the end of the game for dissent.
Atalanta’s wait to win a first trophy since the 1963 Coppa Italia goes on – but they have another chance to end that drought next week with the Europa League final against Bayer Leverkusen in Dublin.
Juventus beat Atalanta to win Coppa Italia
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