GELSENKIRCHEN, Germany: With players keen to avoid injury risks ahead of the World Cup, Bayern Munich stretched their Bundesliga lead to six points after a 2-0 win over Schalke on Saturday in their last game before the tournament in Qatar.
Bayern lacked some of their usual intensity as Julian Nagelmann’s team cruised to victory against last-place Schalke thanks to goals from Serge Gnabry and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting.
Bayern were without Sadio Mané — because of a fibula injury which has made the Senegal forward a World Cup doubt — while Canada left back Alphonso Davies has a muscle issue and Nagelsmann opted not to risk Thomas Müller after the experienced German had a run of minor injuries.
Schalke held Bayern at bay until the 38th minute when Gnabry ran onto Jamal Musiala’s smart backheel pass to score the opener. Choupo-Moting, heading to his third World Cup with Cameroon, finished off a quick counterattack in the 52nd for his seventh goal in his last seven Bundesliga games.
Bayern forward Leroy Sané’s younger brother Sidi made his league debut off the bench for Schalke. The brothers weren’t on the field together as Leroy was taken off five minutes before his 19-year-old brother came on.
Around the country, German fan groups continued to display banners urging fans not to watch the upcoming World Cup. A large banner reading “Boycott Qatar 2022” was displayed along one side of Hertha Berlin’s stadium, and similar messages were shown at Schalke, Werder Bremen, Augsburg and at other games.
Leipzig rose to second with a 2-1 win at Bremen. Xaver Schlager surged into the penalty area and held off a stern challenge from Amos Pieper to restore Leipzig’s lead in the 71st minute after a fortunate deflected equalizer for promoted Werder. Leipzig could drop back to fourth depending on results Sunday.
Bayer Leverkusen continued their recent resurgence under coach Xabi Alonso, beating Stuttgart 2-0 for their third consecutive win to move up to 11th after weeks of hovering just above the relegation zone. Forward Moussa Diaby scored for the sixth time in Leverkusen’s last seven league games.
Ecuador midfielder Carlos Gruezo covered his face with his jersey and was comforted by his Augsburg teammates as he limped off with an injury that could put his World Cup chances in jeopardy. Bochum beat Augsburg 1-0 for their third win in five league games but remain second from last.
Ridle Baku was overlooked for Germany’s World Cup squad, but the Wolfsburg wing back responded by scoring the winning goal in a 2-1 defeat of Hoffenheim. Goals from Wilfried Kanga and Marco Richter lifted Hertha Berlin to a 2-0 win over Cologne to stay clear of the relegation places.
Bayern stretches Bundesliga lead ahead of World Cup break
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Bayern stretches Bundesliga lead ahead of World Cup break
- Nagelsmann opted not to risk Thomas Müller after the experienced German had a run of minor injuries
- Leipzig rose to second with a 2-1 win at Bremen
Saudi Pro League clubs dismiss claims of talks with Liverpool striker Mohamed Salah
- Asharq Al-Awsat report describes media hints at possible Salah move to Kingdom as ‘baseless rumors’
- Sources say major clubs Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli, along with Al-Qadisiyah and NEOM, have not considered contacting Salah, Liverpool, or his agent
RIYADH: Saudi football clubs have not considered negotiating a move by Liverpool’s Egyptian striker Mohamed Salah to the Saudi Pro League, official Saudi sources told Asharq Al-Awsat on Wednesday.
Media speculation concerning possible talks between Salah and clubs in the Kingdom surfaced earlier this week after the player spoke out against Liverpool Football Club’s management and coach Arne Slot.
However, Saudi sources dismissed claims of a possible move as “promotional news” placed in the media by Salah’s agent and entourage.
Roshn Saudi League clubs “have not taken any steps” in that direction, basically due to Salah’s current contract that extends until mid-2027, added the sources.
Involving Saudi clubs has become a common practice among many international players experiencing problems with their clubs, with the aim of increasing their market value or creating false interest, the sources added.
Clubs including Al-Hilal, Al-Nassr, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli, along with Al-Qadisiyah and NEOM, have not held talks or even considered contacting Salah, Liverpool, or his agent, the sources said.
Asharq Al-Awsat published on Tuesday an official denial from an Al-Hilal source on the matter and described the reports as “baseless rumors.”
The newspaper also carried a similar denial from sources within Al-Qadisiyah, who confirmed that the club, owned by Aramco, has no intention of pursuing Salah.
Omar Maghrabi, SPL’s CEO, said during his address at the World Football Summit on Wednesday that Salah would be welcome in the Saudi league, but the clubs are the parties responsible for negotiating with players.
