Leverkusen throw down gauntlet to Bayern in title tussle

With eight games remaining in the Bundesliga season, Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso promised his side would "fight until the end" in their chase of league leaders Bayern Munich. (AFP/File)
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Updated 27 March 2025
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Leverkusen throw down gauntlet to Bayern in title tussle

  • Defending champions Leverkusen host 16th-placed Bochum on Friday
  • Bayern host a St. Pauli side who are one spot but five points above Bochum

BERLIN: With eight games remaining in the Bundesliga season, Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso promised his side would “fight until the end” in their chase of league leaders Bayern Munich.
Defending champions Leverkusen host 16th-placed Bochum on Friday and will draw to within three points of Bayern if they win.
A day later, Bayern host a St. Pauli side who are one spot but five points above Bochum.
Normally reserved and circumspect, Alonso was bullish in his pre-match press conference on Thursday, saying the game was “super important... now the goal is clear, to fight until the end.
“We can reduce Bayern’s lead to three points tomorrow. We want to put as much pressure on them as possible.”
Leverkusen’s 4-3 win over Stuttgart two weeks ago, in which they came from 3-1 down to win with a stoppage-time goal, was reminiscent of last season’s incredible late-game heroics on their way to the Bundesliga title.
Alonso also revealed that injured midfielder Florian Wirtz, originally slated to return in April, would be back “sooner than expected,” giving Leverkusen extra incentive to keep the race alive.
“He feels better. He’s close. We don’t want to be conservative with Flo — we want to go full throttle, take risks. If he can play a little earlier, we’ll take that risk.”
While Bochum and St. Pauli may be 16th and 15th respectively, the lowly table placings of Leverkusen and Bayern’s opponents this weekend do not tell the full story.
Since Dieter Hecking took over as coach in November, Bochum have beaten Bayern and Borussia Dortmund, while fighting to draws against Leverkusen and RB Leipzig.
Bochum’s hopes will be buoyed by Hecking announcing he has extended his deal by two seasons at the club until 2027 — provided they beat the drop.
Bochum sit in the relegation play-off position with 20 points, 19 of them accrued since Hecking took over.
Promoted St. Pauli’s bid to stay in the top division is built on an outstanding defense.
St. Pauli have conceded just 30 goals this season, better than every side in the top flight bar Bayern and surprise package Mainz.
In November, Bayern needed an incredible Jamal Musiala strike from outside the box to break down their stubborn opponents in a 1-0 win.
Bayern’s task will be made harder by the long-term absences of Alphonso Davies and Dayot Upamecano, who both look set to be out for the season due to injuries picked up on international duty.
In the off-season, Stuttgart spent a combined 48 million euros ($51 million) to sign strikers Deniz Undav and Ermedin Demirovic, but their shrewdest forward acquisition — Nick Woltemade — cost nothing at all.
The 1.98-meter tall Woltemade, who arrived on a free transfer from Werder Bremen, was expected to be a clear third in the forward pecking order, but has become Stuttgart’s most reliable source of goals in recent months.
Woltemade has eight goals in his past 14 league games, but his showing on Tuesday, where he scored a hat-trick for Germany’s Under-21 side against Spain, has German media asking if he is ready for a call-up to the senior team.
Asked if he would want to play in the European Under-21 Championship or for Julian Nagelsmann’s side in June’s Nations League, Woltemade said: “I don’t think they overlap... I’ve got enough power for both.”
1 — Stuttgart have won just one of their past eight league games.
3 — Augsburg last conceded a league goal on February 1 and have only let in three in 2025 — the lowest mark in Europe’s top five leagues.
4 — Borussia Dortmund have not beaten Mainz in four games, including their infamous final-day 2-2 draw in May 2023 that handed Bayern the title.

Fixtures (1430 GMT unless stated)
Friday
Bayer Leverkusen v Bochum (1930)
Saturday
Bayern Munich v St. Pauli, Holstein Kiel v Werder Bremen, Borussia Moenchengladbach v RB Leipzig, Wolfsburg v Heidenheim, Hoffenheim v Augsburg, Eintracht Frankfurt v Stuttgart (1730)
Sunday
Freiburg v Union Berlin, Borussia Dortmund v Mainz (1630)


Emmy-winning director R. J. Cutler’s docuseries ‘Esports World Cup: Level Up’ starts June 6

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Emmy-winning director R. J. Cutler’s docuseries ‘Esports World Cup: Level Up’ starts June 6

  • The 5-part series on Prime Video takes a behind-the-scenes look at the inaugural Esports World Cup, an 8-week, $60m competition in Riyadh in 2024
  • ‘What drew me to the EWC was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,’ Cutler says

RIYADH: “Esports World Cup: Level Up,” a new, five-part documentary series from Emmy-winning director R. J. Cutler begins on Jun. 6 on Prime Video, with new episodes released weekly.

It offers viewers a look behind the scenes of the inaugural Esports World Cup that took place in Riyadh in 2024. Described as a defining moment in global electronic sports, with more than $60 million in prize money up for grabs, it ignited a high-stakes, multinational battle to land the title of the world’s top esports club.

The makers of the series, which is produced by This Machine, part of Sony Pictures Television, describe it as a rare look inside a global competition that is redefining what it means to be a champion for a new generation of athletes and fans.

They said Cutler and his team embedded themselves at the eight-week tournament, which was watched by more 500 million fans worldwide, to uncover the personal sacrifices, rivalries and high stakes driving the digital action.

Shot in cinema verite style, with minimal interference from the filmmakers, the series reportedly combines visits to the homes of competitors around the world with on-the-ground coverage of the event. It follows a wide range of participants, from club CEOs attempting to orchestrate million-dollar strategies, to rising stars chasing a life-changing win.

“What drew me to the EWC was the compelling human stories unfolding within this high-stakes arena,” Cutler said.

“‘Level Up’ isn’t just about the incredible competition and prize money; it’s about the dedication, the passion and the sheer will of these athletes and teams pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

“Under high pressure, we discover the true character of the competitors who vie for $60 million but who also expose their humanity in the process.”

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “A win might make the headlines but the real story is the people behind it.

“’Level Up’ dives into the human side of e-sports: the pressure, the ambition, the sacrifices. It’s about what it really takes to compete at the highest level and why it matters. R. J. is the best at bringing those stories to life, and this one captures the heart of what we’re building.”

Cutler’s previous work includes the 2009 documentary movie “The September Issue,” about American Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour and her team as they prepare to publish a particularly significant edition of the magazine, and films about celebrities including Marlon Brando, John Belushi, Billie Eilish, Elton John and Martha Stewart.


Bahrain game ‘crucial’ for Saudi World Cup qualification hopes, says coach Herve Renard

Updated 04 June 2025
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Bahrain game ‘crucial’ for Saudi World Cup qualification hopes, says coach Herve Renard

  • With 2 games left to play in 3rd round of the qualifiers and the Green Falcons sitting 3rd in Group C, he warns that 6 points are a ‘must’
  • The squad’s final preparations are going well, he adds, with a renewed spirit and clear determination among the players to perform well

MANAMA: Saudi Arabia’s match against Bahrain on Thursday is “crucial” to their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, coach Herve Renard said on Wednesday.

The away game will be followed by a showdown with Australia at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah on Tuesday, as the third round of the qualifiers draws to a close.

The Saudis are sitting third in the six-team Group C, 10 points behind already qualified Japan and trailing Australia by three. The top two in the group qualify automatically for the finals, while those who finish third and fourth will fight it out with four other teams for the last three spots. At this point no outcome is certain for the Green Falcons, who are just four points ahead of bottom-of-the-group China.

Speaking at the prematch press conference in Manama, Renard said the Saudis must take maximum points from their remaining games.

“We have to win the six points in the next two matches,” the Frenchman said. “Knowing the outcome of the Australia-Japan match (on Thursday) in advance gives us an important psychological boost ahead of the Bahrain match, and it may also determine my final message to the players.”

The squad’s final preparations for the game were going well, he added, with a renewed spirit and clear determination among the players to perform at a level worthy of the team, despite the difficult task ahead.

The position they are in reflects the team’s stumbling start to this phase of the qualifiers, Renard said, but everyone is determined to restore balance to the team and win.


Boisson ‘going for the dream’ at French Open after injury nightmare

Updated 04 June 2025
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Boisson ‘going for the dream’ at French Open after injury nightmare

  • Boisson swept past world number six Mirra Andreeva in a thrilling two-set battle 7-6 (8/6), 6-3
  • The 22-year-old had already eliminated US third seed Jessica Pegula two days ago

PARIS: Lois Boisson has “resilience” tattooed above her right elbow and the 361st-ranked Frenchwoman demonstrated she had plenty as she stormed into semifinals of the French Open on Wednesday.

Boisson swept past world number six Mirra Andreeva in a thrilling two-set battle 7-6 (8/6), 6-3 in just over two hours on Court Philippe Chatrier.

The 22-year-old had already eliminated US third seed Jessica Pegula two days ago.


A wildcard entry, Boisson is making her Grand Slam debut in Paris after seriously injuring her left knee a week before Roland Garros 12 months ago.

On Wednesday, the French national anthem rang out in the crowd as Boisson and 18-year-old Andreeva warmed up.

“It gave me the chill, I have to say,” said Boisson. “But it was extraordinary to have the crowd supporting me so much.

“Even though sometimes it’s a bit raucous and there is a lot of noise between two points.”

Boisson had trailed 3-1 and 5-3 in the first set but saved set points to turn the match in her favor.

She kept her cool as last year’s semifinalist Andreeva unraveled from a 3-0 lead in the second set to win the last six games.

A frustrated Andreeva received a warning from the umpire for blasting the ball into the crowd. She was then booed when she argued with the umpire over a line call.

“Obviously I expected it,” said the Russian of the partisan home crowd.

“I think that in the first set I managed it pretty well.. but obviously with nerves and with pressure, it became a little harder.”

Andreeva struggled with the pressure, hitting nine double-faults in total, and made 43 unforced errors to Boisson’s 27.

She conceded the final game to love as Boisson wrapped up victory on her first match point.

The player from Dijon advances to meet US world number two Coco Gauff, who battled back from a set down to beat Australian Open champion Madison Keys 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-1.

“For sure I will go for the dream, because my dream is to win it, not to be in the semifinal,” warned Boisson.

“My routine won’t change, it’s been the same since the start of the tournament,” she added of her preparation for Thursday’s semifinal.

Former US Open winner Gauff, 21, said she would just pretend the home crowd was “cheering for me.”

“Just using it and not letting that get to you.”

Boisson becomes the lowest-ranked major semifinalist in the last 40 years.

Winner of the Saint Malo tournament on the secondary circuit in 2024, she was ranked 152nd before her injury.

“(It) was the toughest moment of my life,” said Boisson, who had only won one match on the main circuit before Roland Garros — at the modest WTA 250 event in Rouen on clay in April.

Her earnings this year have been 18,470 euros ($21,100) for a career-total 130,000 euros ($148,000).

Reaching the singles semifinals at Roland Garros will earn her a paycheck of 690,000 euros.

The winner receives 2.55 million euros and the runner-up half that.

“She’s probably a better player than her ranking right now,” said Andreeva.

“I think that if she keeps playing like this, freely and not being scared or afraid... I think everyone can win.

“It’s going to be pretty interesting to watch. I think if maybe she believes in herself enough, maybe she can.”

Boisson is the third player to reach the semifinals in her Grand Slam main-draw debut since 1980, following Monica Seles and Jennifer Capriati who also did it at Roland Garros in 1989 and 1990.

She becomes the first French semifinalist at her home Grand Slam event since Marion Bartoli in 2011 — and the first in the Open Era to do it as a wildcard.


Saudi footballer Abdulmalik Al-Jaber shines on European stage

Updated 04 June 2025
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Saudi footballer Abdulmalik Al-Jaber shines on European stage

  • Al-Nassr star’s performances in Bosnia put him at top of list of 9 Saudi players across 7 of Europe’s football leagues
  • Faisal Al-Ghamdi played as key midfielder for Beerschot in Belgium

BEIRUT: Midfielder Abdulmalik Al-Jaber has been a guiding light among Saudi players making their mark in Europe following his impressive spell at Bosnia’s FK Zeljeznicar.

Al-Nassr announced on Monday the capture of 21-year-old Al-Jaber on a four-year contract after his strong season with FK Zeljeznicar where played 33 times, scored three goals and assisted in three more.

Al-Jaber’s performances put him at the top of a list of nine Saudi players who played across seven different European leagues last season.

Faisal Al-Ghamdi, 23, played 29 times for Belgian club Beerschot where he was a key player in midfield, scoring one goal and assisting in the creation of another.

Clubmate and forward Marwan Al-Sahafi also impressed, the 21-year-old scoring six times and making one assist across 28 games.

Mohanad Al-Saad, 21, played for Dunkerque in France and scored four goals in 15 matches — one of them against Paris Saint-Germain in the French Cup semifinal, a proud moment despite the 4-2 defeat.

Saud Abdulhamid, 25, got some valuable minutes with AS Roma in Italy where he played eight matches, scoring once and making one assist. Four of his appearances were in Serie A, the top tier.

Midfielder Mohammed Al-Rashidi, 23, boasted eight appearances for Greece’s Panserraikos and a total of 184 minutes on the pitch.

Three other young players had a taste of European football. Hussain Al-Taha, 19, played three matches for Croatian side Vukovar, while Mishal Haddad, 20, appeared in two games for Vinkovci, also in Croatia. Yazan Madani, 20, played twice as left-back for Albania’s Egnatia.

With more Saudi players heading to Europe, it is clear that the future looks bright for talented footballers from the KIngdom.

These youngsters are gaining experience, growing in confidence, and helping to raise the profile of Saudi football on the international stage.


Middlesbrough sack manager Michael Carrick

Updated 04 June 2025
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Middlesbrough sack manager Michael Carrick

  • The former Manchester United midfielder had been in charge at Boro since October 2022
  • “Middlesbrough Football Club has today parted company with head coach Michael Carrick,” the club said

LONDON: Middlesbrough on Wednesday sacked manager Michael Carrick after the Championship club missed out on a play-off place during the 2024/25 season.

The former Manchester United and England midfielder, who previously had a spell as caretaker boss at Old Trafford, had been in charge at Boro since October 2022.

The 43-year-old guided Middlesbrough to the Championship play-offs in the 2022/23 season but they have missed out on the top six in the past two campaigns.

“Middlesbrough Football Club has today parted company with head coach Michael Carrick,” the club said in a statement.

“Michael’s assistants Jonathan Woodgate and Graeme Carrick have also departed the club.

“We’d like thank Michael, Jonathan, and Graeme for all their hard work and unwavering commitment. We wish them all the very best for the future.”

Middlesbrough won just one of their final six league games to finish 10th in the Championship table, four points off the play-off spots.