MUNICH: Eric Dier is joining his old Tottenham teammate Harry Kane at Bayern Munich.
The England defender signed for Bayern on a six-month loan through to the end of the season Thursday. Tottenham said Bayern had the option to make the move permanent after that, while the German club referred to “the option for a further year.”
“This move is a dream come true for me, because as a child you want to play for a club like Bayern one day,” Dier said in a statement issued by Bayern. “Bayern are one of the biggest clubs in the world and have an incredible history. I want to help the team with my versatility in defense.”
Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund said the club had long aimed to sign Dier and indicated he expected the experienced defender to be a positive locker-room influence as well as a “valuable part of our defense.”
Tuchel had previously warned not to assume a deal was already done — a reference to how Fulham midfielder Joao Palhinha arrived in Munich in September only for the transfer to collapse at the last minute — but this time things went smoothly.
Dier has played just four games this season for Tottenham, with his comparative lack of pace seen as a poor fit for manager Ange Postecoglou’s high defensive line. Dier’s only start of the season came in a 2-1 loss to Wolverhampton in November.
Dier’s arrival adds instant depth to a thin Bayern defense which has been depleted further by Kim Min-jae playing for South Korea at the Asian Cup this month. Dier mostly played as a defensive midfielder earlier in his career but Tuchel said he saw Dier nowadays as a “specialist” in central defense.
Dier has played 49 times for England, including at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups and made his most recent appearance in April.
Bayern sign England defender Eric Dier from Tottenham on loan to join up with Harry Kane
https://arab.news/wkant
Bayern sign England defender Eric Dier from Tottenham on loan to join up with Harry Kane
- The England defender signed for Bayern on a six-month loan through to the end of the season Thursday
- “This move is a dream come true for me, because as a child you want to play for a club like Bayern one day,” Dier said
Son helps Spurs hold off Hoffenheim in Europa League
- Goals from Son and James Maddison lifted Spurs up to provisional fourth
- It also lifted some of the heat off manager Ange Postecoglou with his injury-ravaged team
PARIS: Son Heung-min helped Tottenham gain some respite from their Premier League woes on Thursday with a double in a 3-2 Europa League win at Hoffenheim to put them on course for the knockout rounds.
Goals from Son and James Maddison lifted Spurs up to provisional fourth in the revamped league phase of European club football’s second-tier competition ahead of the night’s later games.
It also lifted some of the heat off manager Ange Postecoglou with his injury-ravaged team arriving in Germany after losing seven of their last Premier League games.
Postecoglou had pledged to win silverware for the first time for the London side since 2008 in his second season as boss.
With Spurs struggling in 15th behind Liverpool at home that leaves the Europa League, FA Cup and League Cup to fulfil his promise.
A win against Swedish outfit Elfsborg in their closing league phase game at home next week will give them an automatic ticket to the next round as one of the top eight finishers.
“I told them to enjoy it,” Postecoglou told TNT Sports.
“Winning away in Europe, it’s a significant victory for us and gives us a good foothold to get into those top eight spots which will give us a week off,” the Australian added.
They charged out of the stalls with Maddison receiving a pinpoint pass from Pedro Porro to fire the ball past keeper Oliver Baumann and into the roof of the net to give Spurs the perfect start after just four minutes.
Richarlison, making only his second start of the campaign, could have doubled the advantage but the Brazilian’s shot went straight to Baumann.
Attacking at will Spurs were looking to put the game to bed against their out of sorts German hosts.
And on 22 minutes Maddison turned provider to set up Son whose shot deflected off a defender, the ball flying over Baumann and into the far corner.
The big problem for Spurs given their leaky defense was to hold onto their superiority.
Brandon Austin started in goal for them, two weeks after making his debut, and was called on to make a full-stretched save to deny Tom Bischof as half-time beckoned.
VAR overturned a penalty decision to Hoffenheim after the hour when Austin collided into Max Moerstedt.
With the wind in their sails Hoffenheim halved their deficit minutes later when Spurs got caught on the counter, Anton Stach toeing the ball past Austin.
But Son’s angled shot with 13 minutes left on the clock settled the issue, although David Mokwa’s goal two minutes from normal time meant another nerve-jangling ending for Tottenham’s long-suffering supporters.
Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce drew 0-0 at third-placed Lyon to lift the Turkish side provisionally 19th and the door open to make the play-offs.
In the 2000 GMT kick-offs Manchester United host Rangers and table toppers Lazio play Real Sociedad.
Two Real Sociedad fans were taken to hospital after their group was apparently attacked by hardcore Lazio supporters ahead of the match at the Olympic stadium in Rome, the Spanish club said.
Bayern’s Davies ruled out ‘for time being’ with hamstring tear
- Bayern said scans confirmed the Canada international “sustained a muscle strain in his left hamstring”
- Davies could also miss Bayern’s Champions League playoffs in February
MUNICH: Bayern Munich defender Alphonso Davies is set for a stint on the sidelines after he was diagnosed with a torn muscle, the German club said in a statement on Thursday.
Davies, 24, was subbed out in first-half stoppage time in Wednesday’s 3-0 loss to Feyenoord.
Bayern said scans confirmed the Canada international “sustained a muscle strain in his left hamstring” and “would be absent for the time being.”
The club did not indicate how long Davies will miss but he will be in doubt for the trip to defending champions Bayer Leverkusen on February 15.
Davies could also miss Bayern’s Champions League playoffs in February, should the German giants fail to qualify for the top eight.
Wednesday’s loss to Feyenoord leaves Bayern with 12 points in 15th spot on the Champions League table, one point behind eighth-placed Leverkusen.
In the Bundesliga, Bayern sit four points clear of Leverkusen atop the table.
Japan football star Yui Hasegawa on life at Man City, her career so far and future goals
- Hasegawa admits the club is going through a tough period with injuries, but is still hopeful they can secure some silverware this season
- The Japan international is considered one of the best footballers in the world and is a pivotal figure on Gareth Taylor’s squad
ABU DHABI: On the back of a productive warm-weather training camp in Abu Dhabi, Manchester City women’s team have had a mixed bag of results, dropping to fourth in the Women’s Super League, while also advancing to the semifinals of the League Cup.
After going unbeaten in the first 10 games of their 2024-2025 campaign, City have been rocked by a spate of injuries with Dutch summer signing Vivianne Miedema and England international Lauren Hemp both undergoing knee surgeries, and WSL lead-scorer Khadija Shaw sustaining a lower leg injury that has sidelined her since early December.
City’s recent derby loss to Manchester United may have all but ended their WSL title hopes, but they still have plenty to play for in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup, while chasing a top-two finish in the WSL to secure a place in Europe next season.
Japanese star midfielder Yui Hasegawa admits the club is going through a tough period with injuries, but is still hopeful they can secure some silverware this season.
Hasegawa, 27, joined City from West Ham in September 2022 on a three-year deal and signed a contract extension last January that will keep her at the Academy Stadium until the summer of 2027.
The Japan international is considered one of the best footballers in the world and is a pivotal figure on Gareth Taylor’s squad.
Arab News recently caught up with Hasegawa at Emirates Palace to discuss her career, her time at Manchester City, and her goals for the future with both club and country.
Q: You’ve played in Japan, Italy and the UK, so you have experience seeing the development of women’s football across the globe. In your opinion, what is the state of women’s football right now compared to when you first entered?
YH: When I started playing football, I knew how big football was in the US and I was very inspired and fascinated by the American soccer community. However, when I started high school, I started to know how amazing the European football leagues are, and I really wanted to join them. Now, I’m with one of the biggest club teams and I’m extremely happy. I’m still going to try my best in my football career.
Q: What was the biggest challenge that you faced when you first left Japan and went to play football at AC Milan in Italy?
YH: When I first went to Italy, the biggest challenge was the language and also the cultural difference. The football culture in Italy was also very different from what I was used to and I couldn’t really play in my own style. The relation with my surroundings was different. It was still football but different football. I couldn’t play the best in my own style. I faced a lot of challenges; I couldn’t really connect with the people around me either. However, because I went to Italy, now I feel like I have improved and grown from that challenge as well.
Q: What is life like for you in England and what is your experience like with Manchester City so far?
YH: When I played in Italy or West Ham, I always had this dream of playing for Manchester City and being with this club. I can really play in my own style. I’m very, very happy. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity. For the lifestyle, I have two other Japanese players on the same team, so the three of us cook together and eat Japanese food. I’m really happy with the changes.
Q: When you talk about your style of football, how do you describe it? I read in an interview that you are a big fan of Andres Iniesta, and I’m curious; are you inspired by his style or how do you describe your own style?
YH: Of course, Iniesta was my inspiration. He has great technique. He can go against the opponents, he contributes to a goal when it is really important, he leads his teammates to bring to the goal, all these are things that I like. That’s how he inspired me. My style is that I want the audience to really enjoy my football and also lately I’m not just contributing to the offense; I think my strength is that I’m contributing to the defense as well. I’m trying to develop more a sharp sense of prediction.
Q: How confident are you in City’s chances of claiming silverware this season?
YH: The stage of my team at the moment; there are some injured players, so I realize that it might be difficult but I want to take it one game at a time and I am determined to win each game. I’m very confident. As a team as a whole, we are determined to win every game from now on.
Q: After England won the Euros, did you feel that the attention in women’s football in the UK has gotten bigger?
YH: I do feel so. Compared to West Ham, I feel like there is a lot more attention on me being at Manchester City and I feel that this team, the players individually, are all stars and each one of them have their own fans. I also noticed that a lot of children always call their names. I feel that the result is very, very important from the Euros.
Q: When you started playing football in Japan, there was no professional women’s league. What gave you the idea that this is something you wanted to pursue, even though you didn’t even have a professional league to look up to?
YH: When I started playing football when I was young, I always watched the men’s game. I didn’t know if there was a professional league in Japan but I just wanted to go pro. When I grew up to junior high school age, I was very surprised that there are women players that work for a company and they play in the company league. So I felt like even if this is my path, I wanted to continue playing football. And now, it’s my profession and I’m very grateful and I want to enjoy what I do.
Q: In Japan, there are some big names in women’s sport right now. There is someone like you, who is one of the best midfielders in the world. There is Naomi Osaka. How do you feel to be part of this generation of strong Japanese women in sport?
YH: I still wonder if I’m actually part of this group of Japanese star athletes, but I feel like outside of Japan, I get more recognized and valued, especially last year and this year. I feel that maybe in Japanese culture, female athletes are still not as valued in Japan. But I just want to be a female athlete that children can be inspired by and I want to bring good results as well.
Q: How much have you heard about the football scene in this part of the world for women? In Saudi Arabia, they are putting a lot of effort into the league over there and there is an Asian Champions League now as well, featuring a team from Abu Dhabi. Are you following much and how do you see the room for growth for women’s football in this region?
YH: I recognize that women’s football in the Middle East is still developing and women aren’t necessarily at the forefront. If I can contribute to making that place recognizable for female athletes, I would really love to contribute, and I would like to help in every way that I can and make a place to make female athletes more valued, not only in football but in sports in general.
Q: What are your biggest goals and dreams with Japan and with Manchester City?
YH: With Man City, of course winning the league is my goal at the moment. I have always wanted to play in the Champions League and in my favorite style of playing football, so winning the Champions League would be a goal for me as well. As for Japan, we have a new foreign coach for the first time (Danish coach Nils Nielsen) and we would like to bring back that 2011 (World Cup) winning moment once again. I would also like to contribute to the improvement of football culture in Japan.
Becoming Man City’s first Egyptian player an ‘honor’ says Marmoush
- 25-year-old joins Premier League champions from Eintracht Frankfurt on four-and-a-half-year deal for undisclosed fee
- Omar Marmoush: ‘I’m very happy to be the first Egyptian to play for Manchester City - it’s an honor for me to raise my country’s name here in the English league’
MANCHESTER: Egyptian international forward Omar Marmoush has completed his move from Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt to English Premier League champions Manchester City on a four-and-a-half-year contract.
Although the transfer fee was not officially disclosed by the clubs, UK media have speculated it is close to $72.8 million.
Since joining Eintracht Frankfurt from VfL Wolfsburg in 2023, Marmoush has netted 37 goals and registered 20 assists in 67 appearances.
The 25-year-old spoke to Manchester City’s official club channel.
On being the first Egyptian to play for Manchester City
I’m very happy to be the first Egyptian to play for Manchester City. It’s an honor for me to raise my country’s name here in the English league. This is just the beginning, and it will be a successful start. I can’t wait to be on the field and show everyone what I can do. Over the coming days, we’ll work hard to prove that and make it happen.
On support from fans in the Middle East
I’m honored to be here, and I’m very happy to be here. God willing, this will be a successful start. In the coming period, I hope it will be great for me, the club, and the fans. We’ll hope to achieve many championships and victories.
On having former City players as role models
Ever since I was young, I used to watch Sergio Aguero, because he had a playing style similar to mine. He wasn’t a big striker but he always moved into spaces and when the ball reached his feet, he was dangerous. So Aguero, of course.
Elimination stares Man City in the face, Real Madrid rout Salzburg to advance
- Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 and Inter won 1-0 at Sparta Prague that lifted both to 16 points, three clear of ninth-place Aston Villa
- Celtic secured their place in the knockout rounds by winning 1-0 against last-place Young Boys, the other team to lose seven times
LONDON: Manchester City are on the brink of a humiliating Champions League exit after a stunning loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday, and Real Madrid are no longer at risk after routing Salzburg.
Man City blew a two-goal lead in a high-stakes clash of super-wealthy underachievers that PSG won 4-2 in Paris yet still could be eliminated alongside the English champions after the final round of games next week.
Only the top 24 in the 36-team standings will advance and Man City, the 2023 champion, will kick off in 25th place but will squeeze into the knockout playoffs round by beating Club Brugge.
“We will do everything there and if we don’t do it we don’t deserve it,” manager Pep Guardiola said of the game in Manchester in one week’s time. Brugge needs just a draw to advance.
PSG rose to 22nd place to set up another tense challenge, at 24th-place Stuttgart which likely needs to win.
Early in the second half in Paris, it was Man City looking set to send PSG close to elimination by taking a two-goal lead. Jack Grealish, a halftime substitute, scored in the 50th minute then his pass across the goalmouth was deflected toward Erling Haaland for a second four minutes later.
Within six remarkable minutes PSG were level, from goals by Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola, and a stunning turnaround was completed in the 78th when Joao Neves headed the decisive goal. Gonçalo Ramos added a fourth in stoppage time.
Madrid advance to knockout phase
After winning a record 15th European title last season, then signing France star Kylian Mbappe in the offseason, it probably should not have been such a drama for Real Madrid to reach the knockout stages in the new Champions League format.
But three losses in six games — to Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool — left Madrid in 22nd place at kickoff Wednesday, before swatting aside Salzburg 5-1 to rise into 16th.
Brazil stars Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior each scored twice, either side of a goal for Kylian Mbappé, in a mismatch ahead of the teams meeting again in the FIFA Club World Cup, in Philadelphia on June 26.
Arsenal, Inter and Milan secure wins
Arsenal and Inter got expected wins to rise to third and fourth, respectively, though not sure yet to join Liverpool and Barcelona among the top-eight teams advancing direct to the round of 16.
Arsenal beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-0 and Inter won 1-0 at Sparta Prague that lifted both to 16 points, three clear of ninth-place Aston Villa.
AC Milan quietly went about its business rising to sixth place with a 1-0 win against Girona at San Siro, on a powerful strike in the first half by Rafael Leão.
Bayern slump , risk tough path ahead
Bayern Munich fell to a 3-0 defeat at Feyenoord and dropped to 15th in the mid-table morass of storied clubs — currently including Madrid and Juventus — who risk facing each other in the knockout playoff rounds in February.
The teams that finish Nos. 15-18 in the standings next week will be drawn against each other in the playoffs — for the right to face Liverpool and, likely, Barcelona in the round of 16.
Bayern are fortunate to have one of the easier-seeming final games, at home to Slovan Bratislava, which have lost seven straight.
Celtic secured their place in the knockout rounds by winning 1-0 against last-place Young Boys, the other team to lose seven times.
Leipzig ended their six-game losing run with a 2-1 win over Sporting Lisbon, though the champion of Portugal still is favored to advance. Shakhtar Donetsk stayed in contention — just — with a 2-0 win against Brest, who will be in the knockout phase.
Final round
All 36 teams will be in action at the same time next Wednesday in 18 games kicking off at the same time — 9 p.m. Central European Time (2000 GMT).
The top eight in the final standings get a break until March, waiting for the round of 16. Teams that finish from ninth to 24th enter the knockout playoffs. Those two-leg pairings are drawn Jan. 31 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
