The fourth installment of UEFA's Nations League is over after Tuesday's slate of matches. Here's ...

The fourth installment of UEFA's Nations League is over after Tuesday's slate of matches. Here's a look at how promotion, relegation, and the eight spots in the Nations League quarterfinals were determined across the various tiers.<h3>League A</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756222/cropped_GettyImages-2185212093.jpg?ts=1732035276" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756222/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185212093.jpg?ts=1732035276 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756222/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185212093.jpg?ts=1732035276 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756222/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185212093.jpg?ts=1732035276 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756222/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185212093.jpg?ts=1732035276 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756222/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185212093.jpg?ts=1732035276 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Marvin Ibo Guengoer - GES Sportfoto / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Qualified for the quarterfinals<ul>
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Group A1: Portugal, Croatia</li>
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Group A2: France, Italy</li>
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Group A3: Germany, Netherlands</li>
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Group A4: Spain, Denmark</li>
</ul>Euro 2024 winner Spain, the teams it beat in the quarterfinals and semifinals of that tournament - Germany and France - and Portugal are seeded as group winners in Friday's quarterfinal draw. Germany, the top scorer of the league phase with 18 goals, is the only team in that quartet yet to win the Nations League.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Second-place teams Croatia, Italy, the Netherlands, and Denmark can't be pitted against an opponent they faced in the opening phase during the Nations League quarterfinals, which will take place in March. The semifinals and final will be played in June.Relegated to League B<ul>
<li>
Group A1: Poland</li>
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Group A2: Israel</li>
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Group A3: Bosnia and Herzegovina</li>
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Group A4: Switzerland</li>
</ul>Group A1 boasted the most dramatic finale when Scotland avoided automatic relegation and dropped its opponent Poland into League B with Andy Robertson's 92nd-minute winner Monday. Belgium - along with Scotland, Hungary, and Serbia - will compete in the League A/B playoffs after Domenico Tedesco's side finished above bottom-place Israel thanks to its superior head-to-head record.<h3>League B</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756281/cropped_GettyImages-2185631357.jpg?ts=1732054316" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756281/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185631357.jpg?ts=1732054316 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756281/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185631357.jpg?ts=1732054316 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756281/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185631357.jpg?ts=1732054316 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756281/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185631357.jpg?ts=1732054316 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756281/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185631357.jpg?ts=1732054316 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Catherine Ivill - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Promoted to League A<ul>
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Group B1: Czechia</li>
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Group B2: England</li>
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Group B3: Norway</li>
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Group B4: Wales</li>
</ul>The uncertainty over England's next coach barely impacted the Three Lions on their way to sealing automatic promotion under interim boss Lee Carsley. England will be joined by Norway, as <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleagueb/players/159222" href="https://thescore.com/natleagueb/players/159222">Erling Haaland</a>'s seven goals helped the country secure a place in League A for the first time.Czechia beat Georgia 2-1 and Wales thrashed Iceland 4-1 to confirm automatic promotion on the final day, leaving runners-up Ukraine, Greece, Austria, and Turkey to compete in the A/B playoffs in March.Relegated to League C<ul>
<li>
Group B1: Albania</li>
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Group B2: Finland</li>
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Group B3: Kazakhstan</li>
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Group B4: Montenegro</li>
</ul>Finland and Montenegro regressed big time this season, suffering relegation after amassing just three combined points. League B also proved too overwhelming for a Kazakhstan side that lost all of its games by a combined score of 15-0. The most compelling finish was in group B1, with Albania falling on the last day to lose its place in League B.<h3>League C</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756282/cropped_GettyImages-2185014374.jpg?ts=1732054379" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756282/w220xh124_GettyImages-2185014374.jpg?ts=1732054379 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756282/w320xh180_GettyImages-2185014374.jpg?ts=1732054379 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756282/w640xh360_GettyImages-2185014374.jpg?ts=1732054379 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756282/w768xh432_GettyImages-2185014374.jpg?ts=1732054379 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756282/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2185014374.jpg?ts=1732054379 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Promoted to League B<ul>
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Group C1: Sweden</li>
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Group C2: Romania</li>
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Group C3: Northern Ireland</li>
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Group C4: North Macedonia</li>
</ul><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguec/players/101459" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguec/players/101459">Viktor Gyokeres</a>' domestic domination carried over to the international stage, where he added nine goals - including the four he scored in Tuesday's 6-0 win over Azerbaijan - to help Sweden get promoted back to League B. Northern Ireland also booked a return to the second tier alongside a North Macedonia side that's never been higher than League C.Romania won promotion after being awarded three points retroactively after its last Nations League match was abandoned because Kosovo players walked off the pitch before full-time.Relegated to League DLithuania bowed out of League C after losing all six games, while Azerbaijan also failed to maintain its place in the third tier. Luxembourg and Latvia will play for League C survival in the C/D playoffs with League D's Malta and Gibraltar.<h3>League D</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756223/cropped_GettyImages-2169763631.jpg?ts=1732035471" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756223/w220xh124_GettyImages-2169763631.jpg?ts=1732035471 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756223/w320xh180_GettyImages-2169763631.jpg?ts=1732035471 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756223/w640xh360_GettyImages-2169763631.jpg?ts=1732035471 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756223/w768xh432_GettyImages-2169763631.jpg?ts=1732035471 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/756223/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2169763631.jpg?ts=1732035471 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> DeFodi Images / DeFodi Images / Getty</figcaption></figure>Promoted to League C<ul>
<li>
Group D1: San Marino</li>
<li>
Group D2: Moldova</li>
</ul>In the most surprising story of this Nations League campaign, San Marino - a fixture at the bottom of the FIFA men's rankings - earned promotion after registering its first and second competitive wins in national team history against Liechtenstein. Moldova will join the microstate in League C after finishing above Malta and Andorra in Group D2.

LISBON, PORTUGAL - SEPTEMBER 05: Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal celebrates during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1 match between Portugal and Croatia at Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica on September 05, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal.

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Nations League review: Finalists, promotion, and relegation decided

Barcelona official Enric Masip has dropped a huge hint over the identity of the club that submitt...

Barcelona official Enric Masip has dropped a huge hint over the identity of the club that submitted a gargantuan bid for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/193783" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/193783">Lamine Yamal</a> last summer."It came from France," Masip, who advises Barcelona president Joan Laporta, told Spanish TV show "El Chiringuito," as translated by <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42481878/barcelona-official-confirms-psg-bid-250m-lamine-yamal">ESPN's Sam Marsden and Moises Llorens</a>.Laporta claimed in October that the club turned down a €250-million offer for the teenage attacker. Qatari-backed Paris Saint-Germain have struck the 15 most expensive incoming deals in Ligue 1 history, according to figures from <a href="https://www.transfermarkt.us/ligue-1/transferrekorde/wettbewerb/FR1/plus//galerie/0?saison_id=alle&amp;land_id=alle&amp;ausrichtung=alle&amp;spielerposition_id=alle&amp;altersklasse=alle&amp;leihe=&amp;w_s=&amp;zuab=zu">Transfermarkt</a>, and were linked with Yamal while they sought a replacement for <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/66967" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/66967">Kylian Mbappe</a> during the summer transfer window.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Masip said the offer "was rejected and never even considered."Asked whether the approach came from PSG, Masip replied: "When you have the money to spend, you can aspire to try and sign whoever you want."Yamal was on the periphery of the first-team squad when Barca won La Liga in 2023. His reputation soared the next season when he made 37 league appearances and featured 10 times in the Champions League. He then played in all seven matches of Spain's victorious Euro 2024 run despite turning 17 the day before the final.The Catalonian-born winger became the youngest-ever scorer for Spain in September 2023. He broke the record as the youngest player to feature at a European Championship in June 2024, then became the youngest-ever Euros scorer with his memorable curling finish from outside the box in La Roja's semifinal against France.Despite Yamal's tender years, Masip described him as "the most decisive player" in the world. He's scored five goals and contributed seven assists in 12 La Liga appearances this season but is currently sidelined with an ankle injury."I wouldn't say we have won the lottery, but the year that Mbappe decides to go to (Real) Madrid - which was the cherry on top of the cake for a team that had won La Liga and the Champions League - you have a 16-year-old kid appear who wins the European Championship and becomes a global phenomenon in a very short time," Masip said of Yamal.He added: "Every game he does something that leaves you with your mouth open. It's a privilege for La Liga and Barca to have a player like that."

MADRID, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: Lamine Yamal of Barcelona celebrates with his teammates after scoring a goal during LaLiga football match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid, Spain on October 26, 2024.

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Barca official suggests PSG behind €250M bid for Yamal

Manchester United have asked Ruben Amorim to work with what he's got at Old Trafford as the club ...

Manchester United have asked Ruben Amorim to work with what he's got at Old Trafford as the club keeps a close eye on transfer and wage budgets at the start of the new head coach's reign, a source told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42482733/ruben-amorim-denied-january-man-united-transfer-spree-source">ESPN's Rob Dawson</a>.Amorim is the sixth full-time boss at United since Sir Alex Ferguson retired after clinching the club's last Premier League title in 2013. The Portuguese tactician's record at Sporting CP and reputation for improving players have increased hopes that he can finally return the club to England's summit.However, a spending spree to reshape his squad isn't expected this January. It's also unlikely Amorim will be afforded the same transfer funds as predecessor Erik ten Hag, who spent more than £600 million on 15 first-team players across three summer windows, while the club deals with financial concerns.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Sporting director Dan Ashworth and technical director Jason Wilcox are the key figures in United's revamped recruitment structure under co-owner Jim Ratcliffe, but they'll consult Amorim when striking incoming and outgoing deals next summer.The Amorim era officially begins Sunday when 13th-place United travel to Ipswich Town.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 18: Ruben Amorim, Manager of Manchester United reacts during the Manchester United training session at Carrington Training Ground on November 18, 2024 in Manchester, England.

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Lee Carsley called replacements into his England squad Monday after almost one-third of his 26-ma...

Lee Carsley called replacements into his England squad Monday after almost one-third of his 26-man squad pulled out due to injury.Liverpool's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleagueb/players/69665" href="https://thescore.com/natleagueb/players/69665">Trent Alexander-Arnold</a>, Chelsea's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/183455" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/183455">Levi Colwill</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/166109" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/166109">Cole Palmer</a>, Manchester City's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleagueb/players/90747" href="https://thescore.com/natleagueb/players/90747">Phil Foden</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleagueb/players/17264" href="https://thescore.com/natleagueb/players/17264">Jack Grealish</a>, Southampton's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleagueb/players/68746" href="https://thescore.com/natleagueb/players/68746">Aaron Ramsdale</a>, and Arsenal's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleagueb/players/90903" href="https://thescore.com/natleagueb/players/90903">Declan Rice</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleagueb/players/106844" href="https://thescore.com/natleagueb/players/106844">Bukayo Saka</a> all returned to their clubs.Aston Villa's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/101913" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/101913">Morgan Rogers</a> earned his first senior call-up after the eight withdrawals, while West Ham United attacker <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/85171" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/85171">Jarrod Bowen</a>, Everton defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/160604" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/160604">Jarrad Branthwaite</a>, Newcastle United full-back <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/182238" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/182238">Tino Livramento</a>, and Burnley goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engch/players/168160" href="https://thescore.com/engch/players/168160">James Trafford</a> were also late additions.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Carsley now has 23 players at his disposal for Thursday's trip to Greece and Sunday's visit from the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.<h3>Updated England squad</h3>Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Burnley)Defenders: Jarrad Branthwaite (Everton), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Hall (Newcastle), Taylor Harwood-Bellis (Southampton), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Rico Lewis (Manchester City), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Kyle Walker (Manchester City)Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid), Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest), Angel Gomes (Lille), Curtis Jones (Liverpool), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Chelsea), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham), Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)

DORTMUND, GERMANY - JULY 10: Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer of England during the UEFA EURO 2024 semi-final match between Netherlands and England at Football Stadium Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany.

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New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is prepared for a "very difficult" challenge at Old...

New Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is prepared for a "very difficult" challenge at Old Trafford.The Portuguese boss officially starts his role at United this week. He inherits a team that's positioned 13th in the Premier League - but only four points adrift of third-place Chelsea - and that has recorded three draws and just one win in the opening round of the Europa League.United have the record number of English titles with 20 but haven't finished atop the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson's final season at the helm in 2012-13. Amorim is the sixth full-time boss hired in Stretford since Ferguson relinquished the reins.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I feel ready for the new challenge," he told reporters after ending his Sporting CP tenure Sunday with a 4-2 comeback victory at Braga, as quoted by <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/new-man-united-boss-amorim-says-hes-ready-challenge-2024-11-11/">Reuters</a>."I'm not naive, I know it's going to be very different, very difficult. I'm at peace now, I can focus on my new job and I'm looking forward to starting tomorrow."Amorim joins United after breaking the Benfica-Porto duopoly in Portugal. He delivered Sporting their first top-flight title since 2002 in the 2020-21 campaign and followed that up with another Primeira Liga crown last season. He's also won three Taca da Ligas as a coach: one with Braga and two with Sporting.Sporting currently hold a six-point lead over Porto at the Primeira Liga summit. They've won every game this season and last tasted defeat in the league in December 2023."I know it will be difficult to reproduce what I have here elsewhere, but there are other places with different exposure and pressure ... It's been a fantastic adventure," Amorim said."I apologize for this midseason decision, but I felt it was my time and my way."Amorim already endeared himself to Manchester United fans when Sporting trounced Manchester City in the Champions League with a 4-1 win last Tuesday. To add extra intrigue to the clubs' rivalry in the north-west, another architect of Sporting's recent success, sporting director Hugo Viana, officially swaps the Estadio Jose Alvalade for Manchester City's Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.Amorim's first match in charge of United is set to be a trip to Ipswich Town on Nov. 24 following the international break.

Sporting Lisbon's Portuguese coach Ruben Amorim yells to players during the Portuguese League football match between SC Braga and Sporting CP at the Municipal stadium of Braga on November 10, 2024.

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Amorim braced for tough challenge at Man United: 'I'm not naive'

Jordi Alba declared the Major League Soccer postseason format "unfair" after Inter Miami tumbled ...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1341" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1341">Jordi Alba</a> declared the Major League Soccer postseason format "unfair" after Inter Miami tumbled out of the opening round Saturday night following a shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of Atlanta United.Inter Miami broke the record for the most points in a single regular season (74) as they clinched the MLS Supporters' Shield. However, goals from <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/159502" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/159502">Matias Rojas</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a> weren't enough to keep the Herons alive in the third game of their Eastern Conference series.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/178185" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/178185">Bartosz Slisz</a>'s 76th-minute header eliminated Miami and put Atlanta among the final eight teams vying for MLS Cup glory.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"It was a good season, but what we wanted was to win this more," Alba said post-match, according to <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42301274/inter-miamis-jordi-alba-calls-mls-postseason-format-unfair">ESPN's Lizzy Becherano</a>. "This format seems a little unfair to me."It is clear that it has been done this way for many years, but if you ask me, if it were up to me, I would have to be the champion of one conference against the champion of the other, to make it as fair as possible, that's how it is," Alba continued. "I repeat, congratulations to the rival team. I think they competed very well against us, they knew their weapons, the goalkeeper was spectacular and good, I think that is what clearly marked the difference."<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Only 8 remain. // Audi <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MLSCupPlayoffs?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MLSCupPlayoffs</a> <a href="https://t.co/q5a53l8Weu">pic.twitter.com/q5a53l8Weu</a>— Major League Soccer (@MLS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MLS/status/1855456212424298498?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 10, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>MLS adopted its latest playoff format in 2023, starting with two wild-card matches between conference rivals who finish eighth and ninth. That's followed by a best-of-three series before moving on to knockout matches from the last-eight stage. Before that change, the postseason only featured single-elimination games, with the top seeds from the East and West getting a bye to the Conference Semifinals.Inter Miami won 2-1 at home to open their best-of-three showdown with Atlanta before losing by the same scoreline in Georgia. Miami outshot Atlanta 25-9 and had 64% possession for the decisive fixture back in Florida, but 40-year-old goalkeeper <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1693" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1693">Brad Guzan</a> made seven saves in a huge victory for Rob Valentino's Atlanta United."Today I think we have been superior, we have dominated, but they attacked four times and they scored three goals," Alba said. "And well, there's things to correct, clearly."The Messi-led era at Inter Miami won the Leagues Cup in 2023 but failed to reach the MLS postseason later that year after finishing the campaign in 14th place of the Eastern Conference. They also lost the U.S. Open Cup final to the Houston Dynamo.In 2024, Inter Miami impressed en route to clinching Supporters' Shield, with Messi and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/4433" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/4433">Luis Suarez</a> scoring 20 goals apiece. Gerardo Martino's team was also booted from the CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinals by Monterrey and turfed out of the Leagues Cup round of 16 by the Columbus Crew.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 09: Jordi Alba #18 of Inter Miami looks to shoot the ball against Atlanta United during the second half of the Audi 2024 MLS Cup playoffs at Chase Stadium on November 09, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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Alba labels MLS postseason 'unfair' after Inter Miami's elimination

Pep Guardiola lost a fourth straight match for the first time in his managerial career Saturday a...

Pep Guardiola lost a fourth straight match for the first time in his managerial career Saturday after Manchester City fell 2-1 at Brighton &amp; Hove Albion.Defeats to Tottenham Hotspur (League Cup), Bournemouth (Premier League), and Sporting CP (Champions League) led to forecasts of a destabilizing crisis at the reigning English champions. Those predictions may ring true after quickfire second-half goals from Seagulls substitutes <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/165016" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/165016">Joao Pedro</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/95027" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/95027">Matt O'Riley</a> condemned City to yet another loss.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/159222" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/159222">Erling Haaland</a> put the visitors ahead midway through the opening period. It was a deserved lead until after the break when Brighton gradually increased the pressure on <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/58740" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/58740">Ederson</a>'s goal and it was finally breached in the 78th and 83rd minutes.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
1 - Pep Guardiola has lost four games in a row in all competitions for the very first time in his managerial career, while Manchester City have lost four straight games for the first time since August 2006, when Stuart Pearce was manager of the club. Unthinkable. <a href="https://t.co/yAnz6ct8dn">pic.twitter.com/yAnz6ct8dn</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1855332643853815819?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Guardiola may gesture toward injuries to explain his team's dour run. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/67114" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/67114">Rodri</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/68136" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/68136">Ruben Dias</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/14100" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/14100">John Stones</a>, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17264" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17264">Jack Grealish</a>, and long-term absentee <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/187298" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/187298">Oscar Bobb</a> were all unavailable for the trip to the south coast. Still, his side had no shots on target in the second half despite boasting Haaland up front, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/90747" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/90747">Phil Foden</a> in midfield, and other stars including <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/9965" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/9965">Kevin De Bruyne</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/29076" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/29076">Bernardo Silva</a>, who were introduced off the bench when City held a one-goal advantage.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/13191" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/13191">Mateo Kovacic</a>'s perfectly weighted pass set up Haaland's opener but he and fan favorite <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/3137" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/3137">Ilkay Gundogan</a> are among the notable players who've failed to make amends for the absence of 2024 Ballon d'Or winner Rodri. Since the start of the last Premier League campaign, Manchester City have lost five matches - and Rodri didn't feature in any of those games.Pedro's scrappy close-range finish after some desperate City defending and O'Riley's well-taken goal also dealt Guardiola with the unfamiliar sensation of tasting a Premier League defeat after leading at halftime. The last time it occurred was another fixture at Brighton in May 2021, although City had already clinched the top-flight title by that date.<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
1 - Erling Haaland has lost a Premier League match in which he scored a goal for the very first time, having won 40 and drawn six of the previous 46 he’d scored in before today. Humbled. <a href="https://t.co/o6fBiyew4J">pic.twitter.com/o6fBiyew4J</a>— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) <a href="https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/1855333701430976945?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 9, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>"Last season we dropped too many points and the gaffer told us to believe in ourselves this season," Brighton's Pedro told Sky Sports post-match, according to <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/clywvkqp91vt?post=asset%3A3221343f-fba6-4779-b25a-94451a630d40#post">BBC Sport</a>, "and we are doing well this season against the big teams."Brighton are now fourth in the Premier League table, four points behind second-place Manchester City.Liverpool plumped up a five-point cushion in top spot with a 2-0 win over Aston Villa in Saturday's late kickoff.

BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 9: Josep Guardiola Manager of Manchester City looks disappointed & dejected during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Manchester City FC at Amex Stadium on November 9, 2024 in Brighton, England.

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Jesse Marsch welcomed Tajon Buchanan and Ismael Kone back into the Canada men's national team fol...

Jesse Marsch welcomed <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///seri/players/148092" href="https://thescore.com/seri/players/148092">Tajon Buchanan</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/184447" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/184447">Ismael Kone</a> back into the Canada men's national team fold Friday after the pair missed recent camps for their country.Canada is preparing for two legs against Suriname in the Nations League quarterfinals. The opening fixture is set for the Surinamese capital of Paramaribo next Friday before the decisive leg is contested in Toronto on Nov. 19.Buchanan is yet to feature for Inter Milan this season after he injured his shin at Copa America in July. Kone skipped international duty in September and October with separate injury complaints but should be close to full fitness after featuring in Marseille's last three outings.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div><a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///fran/players/99764" href="https://thescore.com/fran/players/99764">Derek Cornelius</a>, who plays with Kone at Marseille, is unavailable for club and country after suffering a chest injury in last weekend's Ligue 1 meeting with Nantes."We are looking forward to getting the group together again with the mindset that there is a trophy on the line," Marsch said. "We want to end 2024 the right way with two excellent performances against a competitive Suriname squad and continue building on our tremendous growth this past summer."Goalkeepers: Maxime Crepeau (Portland Timbers), Jonathan Sirois (CF Montreal), Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)Defenders: Moise Bombito (Nice), Alphonso Davies (Bayern Munich), Alistair Johnston (Celtic), Jamie Knight-Lebel (Crewe Alexandra), Richie Laryea (Toronto FC), Kamal Miller (Portland Timbers), Joel Waterman (CF Montreal)Midfielders: Ali Ahmed (Vancouver Whitecaps), Tajon Buchanan (Inter Milan), Mathieu Choiniere (Grasshoppers), Stephen Eustaquio (FC Porto), Junior Hoilett (Hibernian), Ismael Kone (Marseille), Jonathan Osorio (Toronto FC), Jacob Shaffelburg (Nashville), Niko Sigur (Hajduk Split)Forwards: Theo Bair (Auxerre), Jonathan David (Lille), Cyle Larin (Mallorca), Tani Oluwaseyi (Minnesota United)

ROTTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 6: Tajon Buchanan of Canada looks on prior to the international friendly match between Netherlands and Canada at De Kuip on June 6, 2024 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

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On the first Tuesday of every month during the 2024-25 season, we'll debate which clubs are among...

On the first Tuesday of every month during the 2024-25 season, we'll debate which clubs are among Europe's elite in our Soccer Power Rankings. In our November edition, we're making one bold prediction for the rest of the season for each team on the list.Jump to: <a href="#Arsenal">ARS</a> | <a href="#Atalanta">ATA</a> | <a href="#Atletico%20Madrid">ATM</a> | <a href="#Barcelona">BAR</a> | <a href="#Chelsea">CHE</a> | <a href="#Bayern">FCB</a> | <a href="#Fiorentina">FIO</a> | <a href="#Inter">INT</a> | <a href="#Juventus">JUV</a> | <a href="#Lille">LIL</a> | <a href="#Leverkusen">LEV</a> | <a href="#Liverpool">LIV</a> | <a href="#Man%20City">MCI</a> | <a href="#Napoli">NAP</a> | <a href="#Forest">NFO</a> | <a href="#PSG">PSG</a> | <a href="#Leipzig">RBL</a> | <a href="#Real%20Madrid">RMA</a> | <a href="#Sporting">SCP</a> | <a href="#Frankfurt">SGE</a><h3>1. <a id="Barcelona" name="Barcelona">Barcelona</a> 🇪🇸</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751702/cropped_GettyImages-2180583092.jpg?ts=1729880172" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751702/w220xh124_GettyImages-2180583092.jpg?ts=1729880172 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751702/w320xh180_GettyImages-2180583092.jpg?ts=1729880172 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751702/w640xh360_GettyImages-2180583092.jpg?ts=1729880172 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751702/w768xh432_GettyImages-2180583092.jpg?ts=1729880172 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751702/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2180583092.jpg?ts=1729880172 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Pedro Salado / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Previous rank: 6 📈<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Barcelona might be toiling in 10th place, but Hansi Flick's well-rounded team is going to cement its place as Champions League favorites after winning the league phase of the tournament. After dominating Bayern Munich before a 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid in El Clasico, there's no reason why Barcelona can't claim top spot in the revamped opening round of the Champions League. That belief is boosted by a run of games against manageable opponents - aside from Atalanta - over the remaining five matches. - Gordon Brunt<h3>2. <a id="Liverpool" name="Liverpool">Liverpool</a> 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</h3>Previous rank: 1 📉Arne Slot has a more pragmatic approach than his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp - and he's delivering. But this still feels like the end of an era, where the Dutchman is trying to find out which players he'll be working with next season. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk are all out of contract in June 2025, and their exits leave Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes with a nightmarish summer on Merseyside. - Daniel Rouse<h3>3. <a id="Real Madrid" name="Real%20Madrid">Real Madrid</a> 🇪🇸</h3>Previous rank: 2 📉The goals haven't piled up for Kylian Mbappe like he would've expected after last summer's blockbuster transfer to Real Madrid. Joining the Champions League holders was supposed to turn Real Madrid into an unbeatable powerhouse. But the wins and the goals haven't materialized ... yet. Eight goals in 14 games is admirable for most players, but Mbappe has set the bar so high that his output this season is a bit of a letdown. His lackluster first season in Spain will persist, with Mbappe's frustrations leading to a career low in goals. - Brunt<h3>4. <a id="Man City" name="Man%20City">Manchester City</a> 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</h3>Previous rank: 4 ⚖️Aymeric Laporte's arrival in January 2018 marked the last time Manchester City struck an expensive midseason deal. A range of factors indicate City will make a huge splash in the transfer market in two months, including last summer's low spend, Rodri's long-term injury, the lack of backup for Erling Haaland, and the likes of Matheus Nunes and James McAtee making unconvincing cases for regular starts. Incoming sporting director Hugo Viana is already working behind the scenes. - Rouse<h3>5. <a id="Bayern" name="Bayern">Bayern Munich</a> 🇩🇪</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751991/cropped_GettyImages-2180643718.jpg?ts=1730047354" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751991/w220xh124_GettyImages-2180643718.jpg?ts=1730047354 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751991/w320xh180_GettyImages-2180643718.jpg?ts=1730047354 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751991/w640xh360_GettyImages-2180643718.jpg?ts=1730047354 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751991/w768xh432_GettyImages-2180643718.jpg?ts=1730047354 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751991/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2180643718.jpg?ts=1730047354 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Rene Nijhuis/MB Media / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Previous rank: 3 📉Bayern Munich enjoyed a dominant start to the season that had some believing winning the Bundesliga and Champions League was possible. Vincent Kompany's men were hammering inferior opponents early on. But when Bayern started to get tested, the German giants crumbled. While they'll likely go on to win another Bundesliga title, they'll only do so because they were afforded more time to focus on domestic duties after an early elimination from the Champions League in the round of 16. - Brunt<h3>6. <a id="PSG" name="PSG">Paris Saint-Germain</a> 🇫🇷</h3>Previous rank: 7 📈Predicting Paris Saint-Germain will limp out of the Champions League knockout rounds after some naivety or chaos isn't bold. So let's up the ante: PSG won't emerge from the league phase. With four points from three matches, they're three points adrift of the qualification spots and only have a one-point cushion in the playoff places. Their next opponents? Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich this month - and those two need results - before meetings with Red Bull Salzburg, Manchester City, and Stuttgart. - Rouse<h3>7. <a id="Atalanta" name="Atalanta">Atalanta</a> 🇮🇹</h3>Previous rank: N/A 📈If Atalanta taught us anything over the years, it's to never discount Gian Piero Gasperini's squad. They've consistently finished in the top 10 in Serie A since he took over in 2016. That success hasn't resulted in silverware at home, but it's opened the doors to Europe. After winning the club's first continental trophy in the Europa League last season, Atalanta will have their sights on the ultimate prize: the Champions League. They won't go all the way, but Atalanta are going to solidify their reputation as a European force with a run to the semifinals. - Brunt<h3>8. <a id="Napoli" name="Napoli">Napoli</a> 🇮🇹</h3>Previous rank: 17 📈A humbling defeat to Atalanta wasn't an ideal way for Napoli to kick off a crucial juncture in their season. Antonio Conte's side conceded more goals (three) to Atalanta than it did in the previous eight games combined. But the defeat wasn't enough to knock Napoli off their perch atop the Serie A table. The defense will bounce back from Sunday's lopsided loss and prove vital again in helping Napoli win another surprise Scudetto. Their failure to qualify for Europe last season will benefit a Napoli side that can focus solely on winning Serie A for the second time in three years. - Brunt<h3>9. <a id="Arsenal" name="Arsenal">Arsenal</a> 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</h3>Previous rank: 5 📉Martin Odegaard's long-awaited return from injury won't be enough to save Arsenal's season. After their promising title bid in 2023-24, a lack of discipline and underperforming players this term have contributed to Arsenal's regression. Forget mounting a title bid, Mikel Arteta's men won't qualify for the Champions League next season at this rate. It's early, so there's still time to solidify a place in the top four, but the recent downward spiral suggests things are going to get worse before they get better. - Brunt<h3>10. <a id="Fiorentina" name="Fiorentina">Fiorentina</a> 🇮🇹</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752095/cropped_GettyImages-2181395184.jpg?ts=1730072974" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752095/w220xh124_GettyImages-2181395184.jpg?ts=1730072974 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752095/w320xh180_GettyImages-2181395184.jpg?ts=1730072974 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752095/w640xh360_GettyImages-2181395184.jpg?ts=1730072974 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752095/w768xh432_GettyImages-2181395184.jpg?ts=1730072974 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752095/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2181395184.jpg?ts=1730072974 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Image Photo Agency / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Previous rank: N/A 📈Moise Kean seemed to commit career suicide when he joined Everton in 2019 after his scoring touch deserted him completely at Juventus. But he's now found his groove, scoring five goals in 10 Serie A appearances to help Fiorentina rise to fourth place. He was Dusan Vlahovic's backup last season but can outscore the Juve marksman in this campaign. - Rouse<h3>11. <a id="Inter" name="Inter">Inter Milan</a> 🇮🇹</h3>Previous rank: 11 ⚖️The Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram partnership is lethal enough to boost Inter Milan's prospects of winning the Scudetto. The duo has scored 12 league goals combined to help put Inter Milan in contention to successfully defend their Serie A title. But scoring is only effective so long as opponents aren't enjoying the same success on the other end of the pitch. Inter's potent attack has masked defensive woes that will ultimately cost them a chance to return to the Champions League next season. - Brunt<h3>12. <a id="Sporting" name="Sporting">Sporting CP</a> 🇵🇹</h3>Previous rank: 16 📈In the Golden Shoe race, goals in Europe's top five leagues are multiplied by two, while goals in leagues like Portugal's Primeira Liga and Turkey's Super Lig are multiplied by 1.5. That puts Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres (third place with 24 points) at a considerable disadvantage in his battle with Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski (first place with 28 points). Nevertheless, Gyokeres will become the first player from outside the elite leagues to collect the award since Sporting's Mario Jardel 22 years ago. - Rouse<h3>13. <a id="Leipzig" name="Leipzig">RB Leipzig</a> 🇩🇪</h3>Previous rank: 19 📈Klopp's appointment as head of Red Bull's soccer operations won't make much difference at RB Leipzig. The Saxony outfit hopes he'll help the team find ways to unpick low blocks and attract bigger signings. However, there's no clear idea of what Klopp's main responsibilities are while he splits his time between the Red Bull clubs. It could be little more than a roving consultancy role, and he won't be able to give enough attention to Leipzig to make a real impact. - Rouse<h3>14. <a id="Juventus" name="Juventus">Juventus</a> 🇮🇹</h3>Previous rank: 8 📉Kenan Yildiz is already a game-changer for Juventus. At just 19, he thrived in the heated atmosphere of the Derby d'Italia to salvage a 4-4 draw with two goals off the bench against Inter on Oct. 27. He completed three take-ons and drew two fouls in Saturday's 2-0 win at Udinese. Arda Guler was supposed to be the finest Turkish player of his generation, but Yildiz is in the process of pinching that title and never surrendering it. - Rouse<h3>15. <a id="Frankfurt" name="Frankfurt">Eintracht Frankfurt</a> 🇩🇪</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748739/cropped_GettyImages-2176211375.jpg?ts=1728239040" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748739/w220xh124_GettyImages-2176211375.jpg?ts=1728239040 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748739/w320xh180_GettyImages-2176211375.jpg?ts=1728239040 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748739/w640xh360_GettyImages-2176211375.jpg?ts=1728239040 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748739/w768xh432_GettyImages-2176211375.jpg?ts=1728239040 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/748739/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2176211375.jpg?ts=1728239040 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> picture alliance / picture alliance / Getty</figcaption></figure>Previous rank: N/A 📈Dino Toppmoller will succeed Ruben Amorim as the hottest coaching prospect in Europe. As Julian Nagelsmann's former assistant, the 43-year-old unsurprisingly favors high pressing and rapid counterattacks. But what's most impressive about Toppmoller's management is how free-scoring Omar Marmoush, PSG flop Hugo Ekitike, and other players whose careers were at risk of fading are now flourishing. Eintracht Frankfurt haven't scored this many goals after nine Bundesliga matches since the Tony Yeboah and Jay-Jay Okocha days of the early 1990s. - Rouse<h3>16. <a id="Chelsea" name="Chelsea">Chelsea</a> 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</h3>Previous rank: 10 📉Cole Palmer's exploits in attack are nothing new. Anyone who watched Chelsea last year knows that he was a significant reason the underperforming Blues weren't in a relegation battle. The English attacker has been just as impressive this season, but Chelsea aren't going to win anything without contributions from Nicolas Jackson. He's been the Premier League's most-improved player, but he won't stop there. Jackson looks primed to continue turning heads when he breaks into the Premier League Golden Boot conversation to help the Blues finish ahead of Arsenal. - Brunt<h3>17. <a id="Atletico Madrid" name="Atletico%20Madrid">Atletico Madrid</a> 🇪🇸</h3>Previous rank: 9 📉There isn't a great deal that Diego Simeone can do about injuries, but it'll be hard to find consistency while there are so many changes to his lineup. Just two Atletico Madrid players have started 10 or more La Liga matches this season - for comparison, Barcelona and Real Madrid are on five apiece - while the coach struggles to work out his best XI. Get it right, Simeone, or Atleti will finish outside the top four for the first time since 2012. - Rouse<h3>18. <a id="Leverkusen" name="Leverkusen">Bayer Leverkusen</a> 🇩🇪</h3>Previous rank: 12 📉It would make sense if the coach who delivered a first-ever top-flight trophy was given a longer leash if things didn't go well the following season. But loyalty doesn't last long in football - just ask Claudio Ranieri, the coach who was sacked the season following Leicester City's miraculous Premier League triumph after a rough start. Xabi Alonso is going to follow in the Italian's footsteps and be used as a scapegoat when European and domestic duties prove overwhelming, causing Bayer Leverkusen to fall out of contention. - Brunt<h3>19. <a id="Forest" name="Forest">Nottingham Forest</a> 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</h3>Previous rank: N/A 📈Nottingham Forest sit third in the Premier League. It won't last, but there are enough encouraging signs to suggest they can battle for Conference League qualification. That would mean a lot for the two-time European Cup winners, who haven't appeared in a continental competition since 1996. However, the biggest obstacle to that goal would be volatile owner Evangelos Marinakis rather than the team's quality. Expect some hasty and ultimately disruptive transfer business if Forest are still flying high in January. - Rouse<h3>20. <a id="Lille" name="Lille">Lille</a> 🇫🇷</h3><figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751887/cropped_GettyImages-2180508435.jpg?ts=1729987891" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751887/w220xh124_GettyImages-2180508435.jpg?ts=1729987891 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751887/w320xh180_GettyImages-2180508435.jpg?ts=1729987891 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751887/w640xh360_GettyImages-2180508435.jpg?ts=1729987891 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751887/w768xh432_GettyImages-2180508435.jpg?ts=1729987891 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751887/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2180508435.jpg?ts=1729987891 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> SAMEER AL-DOUMY / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>Previous rank: N/A 📈One thing Jonathan David needs to do to win the Ligue 1 scoring title is stay healthy. The Canadian striker is near the top of the scoring chart, trailing PSG's Bradley Barcola by one with seven goals so far. David has all the tools to overtake his counterpart. However, the other important thing he has to do is stay with Lille. David's chances of claiming the scoring title are going to be wiped out after Lille agree to sell the 24-year-old abroad in January. - BruntOn the cusp: Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray, PSV Eindhoven

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The hate was inescapable. RB Leipzig's rise to become a Bundesliga title challenger started with ...

The hate was inescapable. RB Leipzig's rise to become a Bundesliga title challenger started with a trip to Jena in 2009, but the obscure setting didn't protect them from what would become a constant theme for the next 15 years. Throughout the journey of over 100 kilometers, there were regular warnings to turn back."The bridges were covered with paint and with some signs: 'You are not allowed to play football in Jena,'" Stefan Krause, head of newspaper Bild's sports coverage in eastern Germany, told theScore.Little-known Carl Zeiss Jena were in the third division - but they weren't RB Leipzig's opponents that day. The angry demonstrations instead dominated the newly established team's meeting with Carl Zeiss Jena's reserve side down in the fifth tier.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"There were a lot of very angry fans. In the game, there were some fans who spat beer at the players," he said.One banner implored fans to "Boycott and fight Red Bull Leipzig." Cups were flung from the stands. Krause remembers the squad skipping post-match showers and rushing onto the bus to escape the hostility. They traveled back to Leipzig "with police cars in front and behind."Leipzig anticipated more spite during Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund. BVB supporters have arguably provided the most vociferous opposition against Red Bull's presence in German soccer. Anti-RB banners have dominated the Westfalenstadion's iconic "Yellow Wall" during Leipzig matches, but the fans' protests have also turned violent.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752310/cropped_GettyImages-1037003284.jpg?ts=1730164706" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752310/w220xh124_GettyImages-1037003284.jpg?ts=1730164706 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752310/w320xh180_GettyImages-1037003284.jpg?ts=1730164706 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752310/w640xh360_GettyImages-1037003284.jpg?ts=1730164706 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752310/w768xh432_GettyImages-1037003284.jpg?ts=1730164706 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752310/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1037003284.jpg?ts=1730164706 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">A banner in Dortmund's Sudtribune promotes the slaughtering of bulls picture alliance / picture alliance / Getty</figcaption></figure>The most shameful episode occurred in 2017 when RB Leipzig first journeyed to Borussia Dortmund's home. Some visiting supporters were targeted with bottles and stones. Punches and kicks were thrown. "Any person who could be identified as a Leipzig fan, regardless of whether they were small children, women, or families" was a target, Dortmund police said.Borussia Dortmund denounced the scenes, and the wide condemnation seemed to stem the flow of similarly aggressive acts in the matches that followed. However, the intensity increased before this weekend's latest installment of the teams' rivalry. Jurgen Klopp guided Dortmund to back-to-back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012, forging a powerful bond with the supporters during his seven-year tenure, but he's faced a fierce backlash from some of the club's fans since he agreed in October to take over Red Bull's global soccer operations beginning in the new year."It felt like a betrayal," said Gregor Ryl, co-host of popular German football podcast "Copa TS.""It was a big shock that he went to the bad side," he added.Ryl, a Dortmund fan born and raised near Leipzig, says Klopp has lost his legendary status in the Ruhr Valley through his association with Red Bull. He says even winning a World Cup with Germany wouldn't fix the damage Klopp's caused to his reputation among Dortmund supporters. The self-described "Normal One" has backed a project that's widely viewed as a scourge on German football.<h3>Killing 'vermin'</h3>The main source of Ryl's dislike of RB Leipzig is how they circumvent one of German football's most cherished and unique elements: The 50+1 rule.The system states that fans with memberships should own 50% of the club plus hold an extra vote, thereby giving them final say over how the club is run. It means supporters can overrule an investment group that doesn't look after the best interests of the club.Red Bull maintains control over RB Leipzig's day-to-day operations by having the power to approve or deny someone the opportunity to invest and become a member - and to say it's a selective process is an understatement. There are just 23 RB Leipzig members with voting rights. Bayern Munich, by contrast, have over 360,000."German clubs live through what members want to create in the club. That's not possible within RB Leipzig," Ryl said.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752309/cropped_GettyImages-531522108.jpg?ts=1730163896" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752309/w220xh124_GettyImages-531522108.jpg?ts=1730163896 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752309/w320xh180_GettyImages-531522108.jpg?ts=1730163896 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752309/w640xh360_GettyImages-531522108.jpg?ts=1730163896 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752309/w768xh432_GettyImages-531522108.jpg?ts=1730163896 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752309/w1080xh607_GettyImages-531522108.jpg?ts=1730163896 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">One of Duisburg fans' banners in 2016 calls RB Leipzig a 'marketingprodukt' Christof Koepsel / Bongarts / Getty</figcaption></figure>The "RB" stands for RasenBallsport, a clunky and clumsy phrase meaning "lawn ball sport." Simply referencing Red Bull's initials instead of using them outright was the next-best option after the league turned down the company's efforts to rename fifth-tier SSV Markranstadt - who it took over in 2009 - "Red Bull Leipzig." But a company featuring in a German club's name isn't new. Pharmaceutical giant Bayer has always preceded Leverkusen in the club's name since it was established as a works team in 1904.Other huge companies and investors have proudly pumped money into the German game. Volkswagen and Wolfsburg are inextricably linked. Software billionaire Dietmar Hopp took Hoffenheim, his village team that had never climbed higher than the fifth tier of German soccer, from the ninth division to the Champions League. Like RB Leipzig, it's a rise fueled by finance and lacking in romance, but perhaps unlike RB Leipzig, Hoffenheim would struggle to remain at their current level without their benefactor's spending.But there's one key element that differentiates the cases of Leverkusen, Wolfsburg, and Hoffenheim from the Austrian energy drink's flagship club, according to Heidelberg University research associate Dr. Pavel Brunssen."These businesses are seen as local and traditional and so not as evil as Red Bull and Leipzig, which is seen as this global business which only came into the sport to make profits," Brunssen told theScore. "(Rival supporters) have this split of good capitalism and bad capitalism."The hatred of RB Leipzig unites the rest of Germany. Traditional clubs -traditionsverein - and long-standing values in soccer are a huge point of pride in the country, and Brunssen says RB Leipzig and their fans will never be part of that community."They see RB Leipzig as an intruder, as an outsider, as an alien, as a club that is not really a club but a plastic club that is artificial, that is global, that does not belong into the sport of the German people," Brunssen explains.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752790/cropped_20241023_081310.jpg?ts=1730391856" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752790/w220xh124_20241023_081310.jpg?ts=1730391856 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752790/w320xh180_20241023_081310.jpg?ts=1730391856 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752790/w640xh360_20241023_081310.jpg?ts=1730391856 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752790/w768xh432_20241023_081310.jpg?ts=1730391856 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752790/w1080xh607_20241023_081310.jpg?ts=1730391856 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">An anti-RB sticker near Wilhelm-Kulz-Park in Leipzig Daniel Rouse</figcaption></figure>As part of his research, Brunssen explored the words used in the 2016 rap song "Anti RB," which was spearheaded by Dortmund fan M.I.K.I but featured numerous artists.In addition to some objectionable clips in the music video, Brunssen found the song revealed how language about RB Leipzig, and not just matchday violence, can be deeply problematic."He equates RB Leipzig with rats or other kinds of vermin, and how he wants to be the person who kills them," Brunssen said of one of the rapper's parts. "So he has these metaphors that have a long history, of course, in antisemitism."<h3>Exposing hypocrisy</h3>Bulls flex muscles and flare their nostrils on the walls of RB Leipzig's training complex as academy players test their acceleration on the indoor running track and first-team stars walk down the tunnel to six immaculate practice pitches. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. Fridges are everywhere, stocked with a kaleidoscope of Red Bull flavors.Johann Plenge cracked a Red Bull and sat at the head of the table in one of the facility's meeting rooms."Our club is based in the city center," the RB Leipzig managing director told theScore. "It was a decision in 2017 not to build a new stadium somewhere next to the autobahn with perfect parking lots and great infrastructure to easily go to the stadium. We took the decision to buy the Red Bull Arena because it's in the heart of Leipzig."He added: "Our coach, our players, and everybody here from the club is really in touch with the people here in Leipzig."RB Leipzig's local presence, and the achievements of two German Cups and a pair of second-place Bundesliga finishes so early in the club's history, seems to be paying off. Plenge says RB Leipzig have overtaken Borussia Dortmund as the most popular team in Mitte Deutschland - the central part of Germany with no big clubs - and now stand sixth or seventh in Bundesliga popularity.Bild journalist Krause says the aggression toward RB Leipzig isn't as intense as it was five to seven years ago. But the resentment still simmers through the German football pyramid. This past summer, RB Leipzig had one friendly match against fourth-tier FC Rot-Weiss Erfurt canceled after protests from fans. Another game, against Erzgebirge Aue, was played with no supporters, and fans of the third-division side boycotted their team's next two matches to express their disgust with the fixture.A growing factor in the Dortmund rivalry is the most simplistic of all: RB Leipzig are a threat. Currently on 20 points apiece with Bayern at the top of the Bundesliga, Leipzig are challenging Dortmund's position as the second-most powerful side in the country.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752526/cropped_GettyImages-2149561555.jpg?ts=1730256774" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752526/w220xh124_GettyImages-2149561555.jpg?ts=1730256774 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752526/w320xh180_GettyImages-2149561555.jpg?ts=1730256774 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752526/w640xh360_GettyImages-2149561555.jpg?ts=1730256774 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752526/w768xh432_GettyImages-2149561555.jpg?ts=1730256774 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752526/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2149561555.jpg?ts=1730256774 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">RB Leipzig general manager Johann Plenge picture alliance / picture alliance / Getty</figcaption></figure>"It's not our objective to be the most-liked club, but for people to have an opinion on us," Plenge said. "Bayern Munich, for example, are the most-liked club in the Bundesliga, but they are also the most disliked club, because you either like them or you don't like them. But you have an opinion on them, right?"Perhaps RB Leipzig is exposing an uncomfortable truth for Germany. They aren't ashamed of their corporate identity: Directly borrowing from Red Bull's slogan, Manuel Baum, who heads the youth academy in Leipzig, told theScore that the club was "giving wings" to young players. Meanwhile, other Bundesliga clubs are also fully invested in modern soccer's brash capitalism, and in some cases in a shadier, more distasteful manner than the much-maligned RB Leipzig. But many fans in Germany seem to be in denial while they obsess over Red Bull's involvement at the peak of the game.Borussia Dortmund recently boosted their coffers with a deeply controversial commercial deal with Dusseldorf-based weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall. Affluent Bayern Munich won the league 11 times in a row until Bayer Leverkusen snapped their hegemony. Hoffenheim are competing in their 17th straight top-flight campaign, and Wolfsburg boast the fourth-longest spell in the league at 28 seasons. Schalke, one of the nation's greatest football institutions, have fallen to the lower reaches of the second tier due to financial problems that include the abrupt end of a 15-year partnership with Gazprom, a company majority-owned by the Russian state.This is simply the money-mad environment of modern professional football. Much to the dismay of most German fans, the country's most outwardly corporate club, RB Leipzig, happens to be really good at operating within it.

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Germany hates RB Leipzig. Is the hostility deserved?

Vinicius Junior's club and international teammates have expressed support for the attacker and an...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/101248" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/101248">Vinicius Junior</a>'s club and international teammates have expressed support for the attacker and anger at the apparently flawed Ballon d'Or voting process after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/67114" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/67114">Rodri</a> was <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3111070" href="https://thescore.com/news/3111070">crowned</a> the world's best player on Monday.Real Madrid <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3110964" href="https://thescore.com/news/3110964">released</a> a statement after boycotting the ceremony, claiming the Ballon d'Or and UEFA, the latter of which acts as co-organizer of the event with magazine France Football, showed no respect to the club and that it "does not go where it is not respected."The Ballon d'Or result was a "historic robbery," a club source told <a href="https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/42067979/ballon-dor-real-madrid-brazil-stars-back-vinicius-snub">ESPN's Alex Kirkland and Rodrigo Faez</a>. Vinicius offered no congratulations to Rodri while he <a href="https://x.com/vinijr/status/1851023004496789695">wrote</a> on X: "I'll do it 10x if I have to. They're not ready."<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Real Madrid midfielder <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/140079" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/140079">Eduardo Camavinga</a> <a href="https://x.com/Camavinga/status/1851018740470628390">declared</a> Vinicius' snub was "football politics" on X, adding that his teammate is "the best player in the world and no award can say otherwise."<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/99111" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/99111">Aurelien Tchouameni</a> <a href="https://x.com/atchouameni/status/1851025024888750496">echoed</a> Vinicius' belief that the football community is "not ready" for what the Brazilian will do next. Defender <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/102257" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/102257">Eder Militao</a> chimed in, <a href="https://x.com/edermilitao/status/1851021046490521895">saying</a>, "You are the best and no one can take that away from you! The best!"In the statement released Monday, Real Madrid said that if Vinicius didn't satisfy the award criteria, then right-back <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/15906" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/15906">Dani Carvajal</a> - who won La Liga and the Champions League with the club before being a key part of Spain's Euro 2024 triumph with Rodri - should've collected the Ballon d'Or.Real Madrid dominated the higher spots in the Ballon d'Or rankings. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/161381" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/161381">Jude Bellingham</a> followed Vinicius in third place, while Carvajal (fourth), <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/66967" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/66967">Kylian Mbappe</a> (sixth), and the now-retired <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///eurc/players/2229" href="https://thescore.com/eurc/players/2229">Toni Kroos</a> (ninth) finished in the top 10.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752383/cropped_GettyImages-1950247717.jpg?ts=1730206995" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752383/w220xh124_GettyImages-1950247717.jpg?ts=1730206995 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752383/w320xh180_GettyImages-1950247717.jpg?ts=1730206995 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752383/w640xh360_GettyImages-1950247717.jpg?ts=1730206995 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752383/w768xh432_GettyImages-1950247717.jpg?ts=1730206995 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752383/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1950247717.jpg?ts=1730206995 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Florencia Tan Jun / Getty Images Sport / Getty</figcaption></figure>Prominent figures from Brazilian soccer have also expressed surprise and dismay at the Ballon d'Or result. Kaka was the last player from the country to win the award in 2007, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///olymsm/players/14263" href="https://thescore.com/olymsm/players/14263">Neymar</a> finishing third on two occasions (2015 and 2017)."Don't get me wrong, Rodri is a great player who deserves to be among the best," Tottenham Hotspur's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/95037" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/95037">Richarlison</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DBryFX8N6O7/?hl=en">argued</a> on Instagram, with translation from ESPN. "But Vini not winning this Ballon d'Or was embarrassing, and the only thing that lost today was football."Brazil icon <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///wwcup/players/159314" href="https://thescore.com/wwcup/players/159314">Marta</a>, the top scorer across the country's men's and women's teams, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/stories/martavsilva10/3489009090070853852/?hl=en">posted</a> an angry rant on Instagram. "I waited a whole year to see Vini Junior deservedly be recognized as the current best player," she said in the video. "And now you tell me that they are not giving him the Ballon d'Or to him? What Ballon d'Or is that!"West Ham United's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/101941" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/101941">Lucas Paqueta</a>, who played with Vinicius at Flamengo, said on Instagram that he roots for the 24-year-old "more than any victory of mine" and admires his journey to become the best - "even if they say otherwise!"Dutch great Clarence Seedorf suggested Vinicius missing out on the Ballon d'Or was due to some underlying issues between UEFA and Real Madrid. The Spanish club has won six of the last 11 Champions League finals.“I think there are problems between Real Madrid and UEFA, which affected some things in the results," Seedorf told TNT Sports, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/ballon-dor-2024-live-updates-winners-time-vinicius-messi/iznIEpM4wJW6/1sUXyN1agq93/">The Athletic</a>."Vinicius Junior is the one who definitely deserves the award. It is a shame," he added.

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri receives the Ballon d'Or award in front of second-placed Real Madrid's Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior during the 2024 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28, 2024.

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Real Madrid, Brazil players lash out at Ballon d'Or after Vinicius snub

Rodri won the 2024 Ballon d'Or, capturing the most prestigious individual accolade in men's socce...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/67114" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/67114">Rodri</a> won the 2024 Ballon d'Or, capturing the most prestigious individual accolade in men's soccer on Monday after another superlative season in which he won the Premier League title with Manchester City and Euro 2024 with Spain.The midfielder trumped Real Madrid's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/101248" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/101248">Vinicius Junior</a>, who finished in second place but didn't attend the ceremony, along with the rest of the Real Madrid delegation that was expected to be at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris. They <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3110964" href="https://thescore.com/news/3110964">reportedly</a> decided to skip the event because they learned in advance that the Brazilian wouldn't take home the honor.Vinicius' Real Madrid teammates <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/161381" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/161381">Jude Bellingham</a> and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/15906" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/15906">Dani Carvajal</a> finished third and fourth, respectively.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"A very special day for me, my family, and my country," Rodri said, with translation from <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/ce8yevg34v1o">BBC Sport</a>.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///mls/players/1126" href="https://thescore.com/mls/players/1126">Lionel Messi</a>, last year's recipient and record eight-time winner of the award, was not among the 30 nominees. With <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///natleaguea/players/1310" href="https://thescore.com/natleaguea/players/1310">Cristiano Ronaldo</a> also omitted - as he was last year - this was the first time since 2003 that neither has been in contention for the coveted trophy. Rodri is also the first male Ballon d'Or winner aged under 31 since 2015.Rodri finished fifth in last year's Ballon d'Or rankings, as he collected a historic treble with Manchester City. Although his club exploits in the 2023-24 campaign understandably fell short of that almost imperceptibly high bar, the 28-year-old continued to earn plaudits throughout world football as the nucleus of Pep Guardiola's lineup. He registered his fourth successive Premier League title and his first successes in the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752289/cropped_GettyImages-1676988442.jpg?ts=1730154684" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752289/w220xh124_GettyImages-1676988442.jpg?ts=1730154684 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752289/w320xh180_GettyImages-1676988442.jpg?ts=1730154684 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752289/w640xh360_GettyImages-1676988442.jpg?ts=1730154684 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752289/w768xh432_GettyImages-1676988442.jpg?ts=1730154684 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752289/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1676988442.jpg?ts=1730154684 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> OLI SCARFF / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>The former Villarreal and Atletico Madrid player led the Premier League and Champions League for progressive passes last season, and he ranked fourth in England's top tier and second in Europe's flagship competition for the total distance that he carried the ball upfield. Rodri missed four Premier League matches, and Manchester City lost three of them. Since the start of the 2019-20 term, his club has collected 1.90 points per match without him and 2.37 with him.Rodri tore his ACL on Sept. 22. The previous week, he <a href="https://thescore.com/news/3077181">warned</a> that players were close to going on strike due to the ever-expanding schedule in European soccer.Arguably the biggest achievement that led to Rodri's Ballon d'Or award was his triumphant run with Spain at last summer's European Championship. He was also named the tournament's best player. He acted as the composed figure in the center of a largely young, exciting lineup - or, as the team's head coach Luis de la Fuente <a href="https://thescore.com/news/2939665">described</a>, Spain's "perfect computer." Spain beat Croatia, Italy, Germany, France, and England during its unbeaten seven-match march to glory."Today is not a victory for me, it is for Spanish football, for so many players who have not won it and have deserved it, like (Andres) Iniesta, Xavi (Hernandez), Iker (Casillas), Sergio Busquets, so many others," Rodri said. "It is for Spanish football and for the figure of the midfielder."Perhaps how Rodri and Vinicius fared on the international stage was what ultimately separated the two. Vinicius, 24, won La Liga and the Champions League with Real Madrid and was awarded the top player in the latter competition. However, Brazil is positioned fourth in South America's World Cup qualifiers after defeats to Uruguay, Colombia, Argentina, and Paraguay, and it fell to Uruguay in a penalty shootout in the quarterfinals of last summer's Copa America.Vinicius wasn't immune from criticism during those disappointments, as his immense club form sometimes proved elusive on Brazil duty. He's scored in just one competitive international match since he helped the Selecao reach the last eight of the 2022 World Cup.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752215/cropped_GettyImages-2162141788.jpg?ts=1730137641" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752215/w220xh124_GettyImages-2162141788.jpg?ts=1730137641 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752215/w320xh180_GettyImages-2162141788.jpg?ts=1730137641 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752215/w640xh360_GettyImages-2162141788.jpg?ts=1730137641 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752215/w768xh432_GettyImages-2162141788.jpg?ts=1730137641 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/752215/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2162141788.jpg?ts=1730137641 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Michael Regan - UEFA / UEFA / Getty</figcaption></figure>"From today on he is finally not 'underrated' anymore," Rodri's Manchester City teammate <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/3137" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/3137">Ilkay Gundogan</a> <a href="https://x.com/IlkayGuendogan/status/1851019761628422239">tweeted</a>.Gundogan added: "I'm especially happy that someone on a defensive position is winning this title and not always just the offensive players! Rodri is the perfect midfielder and there's no one that plays his position better than he does - there are so many clubs in Europe that are looking for a world class holding midfielder, but in the end there's only him!"<h3>2024 Men's Ballon d'Or rankings</h3><figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Club</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>1. Rodri 🇪🇸</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2. Vinicius Junior 🇧🇷</td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3. Jude Bellingham 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4. Dani Carvajal 🇪🇸</td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>5. Erling Haaland 🇳🇴</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>6. Kylian Mbappe 🇫🇷</td>
<td>PSG/Real Madrid</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7. Lautaro Martinez 🇦🇷</td>
<td>Inter Milan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>8. Lamine Yamal 🇪🇸</td>
<td>Barcelona</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>9. Toni Kroos 🇩🇪</td>
<td>Real Madrid (retired)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>10. Harry Kane 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</td>
<td>Bayern Munich</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>11. Phil Foden 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>12. Florian Wirtz 🇩🇪</td>
<td>Bayer Leverkusen</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>13. Dani Olmo 🇪🇸</td>
<td>RB Leipzig/Barcelona</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>14. Ademola Lookman 🇳🇬</td>
<td>Atalanta</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>15. Nico Williams 🇪🇸</td>
<td>Athletic Bilbao</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>16. Granit Xhaka 🇨🇭</td>
<td>Bayer Leverkusen</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>17. Federico Valverde 🇺🇾</td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>18. Emiliano Martinez 🇦🇷</td>
<td>Aston Villa</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>19. Martin Odegaard 🇳🇴</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>20. Hakan Calhanoglu 🇹🇷</td>
<td>Inter Milan</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>21. Bukayo Saka 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>22. Antonio Rudiger 🇩🇪</td>
<td>Real Madrid</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>23. Ruben Dias 🇵🇹</td>
<td>Manchester City</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>24. William Saliba 🇫🇷</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>25. Cole Palmer 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</td>
<td>Manchester City/Chelsea</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>26. Declan Rice 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿</td>
<td>Arsenal</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>27. Vitinha 🇵🇹</td>
<td>PSG</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>28. Alejandro Grimaldo 🇪🇸</td>
<td>Bayer Leverkusen</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T29. Mats Hummels 🇩🇪</td>
<td>Borussia Dortmund/Roma</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>T29. Artem Dovbyk 🇺🇦</td>
<td>Dnipro-1/Girona/Roma</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>Other men's awards</h3>Real Madrid's no-show meant <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///gerdfbp/players/3804" href="https://thescore.com/gerdfbp/players/3804">Harry Kane</a> collected his Gerd Muller Trophy alone despite sharing the distinction of the most goals scored for club and country between Aug. 1, 2023, and July 31, 2024, with <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/66967" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/66967">Kylian Mbappe</a> (52 each). Real Madrid were named the best men's club and Carlo Ancelotti won Johan Cruyff Trophy as the best men's coach, but no one collected either award.The other men's winners were Aston Villa and Argentina's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///engcc/players/49561" href="https://thescore.com/engcc/players/49561">Emiliano Martinez</a>, who was honored with a second straight Yachine Trophy as the top goalkeeper, and Barcelona and Spain's <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///liga/players/193783" href="https://thescore.com/liga/players/193783">Lamine Yamal</a>, who took home the Kopa Trophy as the best Under-21 player."You will win one of these trophies one day, my friend," Rodri told Yamal during his speech, with translation from <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cr5m475z7ngt?post=asset%3Add2997f8-dcb0-4e25-9b80-b98ac7fce1d8#post">BBC Sport</a>. "Keep working hard."

Manchester City's Spanish midfielder Rodri receives the Ballon d'Or award during the 2024 Ballon d'Or France Football award ceremony at the Theatre du Chatelet in Paris on October 28, 2024.

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Bukayo Saka immediately justified Mikel Arteta's decision to hand him a start Sunday, converting ...

<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/106844" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/106844">Bukayo Saka</a> immediately justified Mikel Arteta's decision to hand him a start Sunday, converting the first shot of Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Premier League title rivals Liverpool.The winger missed his side's last two matches due to injury but showed no signs of rust when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/84966" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/84966">Ben White</a> picked him out with a long ball in the ninth minute. Saka cut inside, sending an unbalanced <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/30847" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/30847">Andy Robertson</a> to the turf, before smashing an explosive effort past <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/84917" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/84917">Caoimhin Kelleher</a>.At 23 years and 52 days, Saka is the youngest Arsenal player to score 50 Premier League goals.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>(Available to view in U.S. only)<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
BUKAYO SAKA MAKES HIS MARK. ARSENAL LEAD LIVERPOOL AT THE EMIRATES. 📺 Peacock | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ARSLIV?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ARSLIV</a> <a href="https://t.co/psIpZMYC2N">pic.twitter.com/psIpZMYC2N</a>— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBCSportsSoccer/status/1850579235594797132?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>(Available to view in Canada only)<figure class="article-segment--embed"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Bukayo Saka SCORES!! ⚽ 1-0 Arsenal FC vs Liverpool FC WATCH EVERY GOAL 👉 <a href="https://t.co/2w98QqADfX">https://t.co/2w98QqADfX</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PremierLeague?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PremierLeague</a> <a href="https://t.co/bG9OrDHACy">pic.twitter.com/bG9OrDHACy</a>— FuboCanada 🇨🇦 (@fuboTVCanada) <a href="https://twitter.com/fuboTVCanada/status/1850579111225246035?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 27, 2024</a>
</blockquote> <script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></figure>Arsenal were undone by a corner-kick routine for the second Premier League match in a row when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/22556" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/22556">Virgil van Dijk</a> headed home in the 18th minute. Van Dijk had space to nod the ball in after <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/69665" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/69665">Trent Alexander-Arnold</a>'s delivery was flicked on by <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/101948" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/101948">Luis Diaz</a>.<a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/58163" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/58163">Mikel Merino</a> put Arsenal back in the lead in the 43rd minute with an emphatic header following a <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/90903" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/90903">Declan Rice</a> free-kick.The Gunners were denied their first-choice center-back pairing due to <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/101707" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/101707">William Saliba</a>'s suspension, and the issue was made worse when the other half of the defensive duo, <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/91475" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/91475">Gabriel</a>, was substituted with an injury in the 54th minute. <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/163739" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/163739">Jurrien Timber</a> was also withdrawn with an apparent fitness complaint.Arsenal's attempts to hold onto their one-goal advantage eventually fell short in the 81st minute when <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///epl/players/17673" href="https://thescore.com/epl/players/17673">Mohamed Salah</a> struck his 11th Premier League goal against the Gunners.

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 27: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammate Kai Havertz during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Liverpool FC at Emirates Stadium on October 27, 2024 in London, England.

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Watch: Saka leaves Robertson scrambling before rifling in unstoppable shot

LEIPZIG - A moment's hesitation can be the difference.  RB Leipzig sprung forward and ran at Live...

LEIPZIG - A moment's hesitation can be the difference.RB Leipzig sprung forward and ran at Liverpool at the start of Wednesday's Champions League encounter, but that extra split second in possession and the opportunity was gone, whether it was a passing lane shutting off or a late cutback skipping behind the attacker. The final ball was too late or simply never came. A little more belief, and a bright opening could've turned into a positive result.Liverpool were experienced, almost cocksure, and perhaps the exact team Leipzig want to emulate. It was one of the strongest examples of the more measured approach implemented by Arne Slot. It was decisive and dogged; winning duels, nudging the ball onto the next red shirt, and aiming for control more than anything else.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>There was no rush, no needless or wasted touches when Kostas Tsimikas pushed the ball to Cody Gakpo, ran between two opponents to meet the return pass on the other side, and then clipped a first-time cross to the edge of the 6-yard box.Mohamed Salah aimed a header toward the bottom corner. It seemed to be going in, but Darwin Nunez stretched to make sure with a short-range redirection, scoring the only goal of the game."We started well but went behind from Liverpool's first chance," Leipzig head coach Marco Rose said after the match.From then on, the contest was largely played on Liverpool's terms.Slot credited Virgin van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate's oft-domineering center-back partnership and some good saves from Caoimhin Kelleher in his postgame press conference. But overall, he was pleased with Liverpool's response after he felt they lacked control in Sunday's 2-1 Premier League win over Chelsea."We had for a large part of the game, total dominance," Slot reflected, adding, "This is how I like to see our team play."Within minutes of the second half, Dominik Szoboszlai took his turn to pick at the stitches that Leipzig were trying to thread between their defense and midfield. He darted at Arthur Vermeeren. The under-pressure Belgian midfielder jabbed at a pass, the subsequent exchanges were hurried, and Liverpool soon pinched the ball and carved out another opening.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751364/cropped_GettyImages-2180570407.jpg?ts=1729726529" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751364/w220xh124_GettyImages-2180570407.jpg?ts=1729726529 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751364/w320xh180_GettyImages-2180570407.jpg?ts=1729726529 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751364/w640xh360_GettyImages-2180570407.jpg?ts=1729726529 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751364/w768xh432_GettyImages-2180570407.jpg?ts=1729726529 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751364/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2180570407.jpg?ts=1729726529 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> Oliver Hardt - UEFA / UEFA / Getty</figcaption></figure>Leipzig have developed a reputation for playing with ambition and risk, but on this occasion they simply weren't able to go toe to toe with Liverpool.The German side didn't seem fully convinced of its ability to wriggle through the press or attempt intricate play through the middle."I didn't like how we played in possession in certain phases of the game," Rose said. "We had moments in which we had to suffer, but they were mostly our own fault. We gave the ball away too quickly, lost our rhythm, and invited Liverpool to transition quickly."Rose stressed the importance of Leipzig seizing their moments. The times that they were able to play vertically were most promising, bypassing the midfield with a quick ball into the attackers, but they didn't happen often enough or simply ended in disappointment.Lois Openda had two disallowed goals from the three times he was called offside, and although the third occasion wouldn't have mattered regardless of its outcome, it didn't reflect well on his decision-making. Presented with an inviting opportunity to shoot in the 91st minute, he somewhat perplexingly and inaccurately squared the ball for Yussuf Poulsen. The chance disappeared, and Leipzig's hope of grabbing a last-gasp draw went with it.Most tellingly, Leipzig's best player was goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi. His best save of all was an excellent first-half stop to thwart a Nunez header. After the break, he impressively tipped over a Van Dijk header and produced a one-handed save to deny a powerful 89th-minute blast from Gakpo.There was little Gulacsi could do when Alexis Mac Allister collected a slick Szoboszlai backheel and guided a shot toward goal from the edge of the box. The Argentine's effort clipped the bar and went over."Our position in the Champions League hasn't exactly improved, but we have a chance with our remaining five games," Rose said after three straight losses to begin the league phase. "We will keep working hard and believing in ourselves."

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LEIPZIG - David Raum believes Jurgen Klopp's appointment at Red Bull could change how RB Leipzig ...

LEIPZIG - <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///chlg/players/91167" href="https://thescore.com/chlg/players/91167">David Raum</a> believes Jurgen Klopp's appointment at Red Bull could change how RB Leipzig are perceived across Germany.Klopp will oversee Red Bull's global operations starting in January, sparking excitement among the club's supporters, players, and staff, but indignation from some fans of the ex-Liverpool manager's former clubs, Mainz and Borussia Dortmund.For Raum, the backlash is predictable. The criticism of the club stems from its ownership: Many rival supporters claim it's contravening the Bundesliga's 50+1 rule, which states that members should own 50% of the club plus hold an extra vote so they have the final say on decisions on how it's run. But RB Leipzig has a small number of members and Red Bull can refuse membership applications.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"I'm not surprised," Raum told theScore about the angry reactions. "It's typical in Germany. In the Premier League, it's not so common, there are some big investors. In Germany, a lot of people are talking about tradition in football, but I think Leipzig also have a tradition."The full-back added: "It's a big sign that a guy like Jurgen Klopp joins the Red Bull family, so maybe it's also a sign for the other fans outside that they have to start to accept us. They have to accept what we've achieved and what we want to do."Raum felt the anti-RB Leipzig sentiment on social media immediately after his 2022 transfer from Hoffenheim and has heard it while playing. He hasn't ruled out the possibility of RB Leipzig gradually integrating into the German football scene, though, because a figure as respected as Klopp is committed to the Red Bull project."I was feeling it when I joined the club. You get the comments and you have the fans at every away game shouting and hating us," Raum, currently sidelined with an ankle injury, said. "Maybe he can help to make us big and give us also a good standing in Germany for all the fans of the other clubs."RB Leipzig won back-to-back DFB-Pokals in 2022 and 2023, and the DFL-Supercup in 2023. The club currently sits in second place in the Bundesliga, behind Bayern Munich on goal difference.

02 October 2024, Saxony, Leipzig: Soccer: Champions League, RB Leipzig - Juventus Turin, preliminary round, matchday 2 at the Red Bull Arena. Leipzig player David Raum reacts. Photo: Jan Woitas/dpa

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Klopp could change rival fans' perception of RB Leipzig, says Raum

LEIPZIG - What Jurgen Klopp already knew about the Red Bull way didn't seem to help him. Ten mont...

LEIPZIG - What Jurgen Klopp already knew about the Red Bull way didn't seem to help him. Ten months into his Liverpool tenure by the time RB Leipzig debuted in Germany's top tier, it was left to Red Bull Salzburg to provide the first true indicator of what the energy drink's soccer enterprise was all about.Liverpool barely eked out a 4-3 win after surrendering a three-goal advantage at Anfield, but Klopp wasn't downbeat. That match in 2019 was a learning experience. Issues with his team's tactics and mindset were improved upon and the Reds ended their 30-year wait to win the English title later that season. For the German manager, the match confirmed that Salzburg's pace, pressing, and proliferation of young talent neatly aligned with his own footballing beliefs."It's not hard to see why Salzburg is a favored destination for players with real talent and hunger," Klopp <a href="https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/379046-a-wonderful-signing-jurgen-klopp-on-takumi-minamino">said</a> when Takumi Minamino's switch from Salzburg to Liverpool was revealed just two-and-a-half months after that frenzied Champions League fixture.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"From our experiences dealing with, and facing, Salzburg on and off the pitch in recent months, their reputation as a benchmark modern European club will only grow."Klopp left Liverpool at the end of last season and will take over as head of Red Bull's global soccer operations in January, but his long-term admiration of the company's multi-club model is still evident on Merseyside. Two former RB Leipzig players - Ibrahima Konate and Dominik Szoboszlai - took on their ex-club in Liverpool's 1-0 Champions League win in eastern Germany on Wednesday.Former Leipzig or Salzburg players during Liverpool's Klopp era<figure class="article-segment--table"><div class="table-responsive"><table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Player</th>
<th>Leipzig</th>
<th>Salzburg</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Naby Keita</td>
<td>✅</td>
<td>✅</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Ibrahima Konate</td>
<td>✅</td>
<td>❌</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sadio Mane</td>
<td>❌</td>
<td>✅</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alex Manninger</td>
<td>❌</td>
<td>✅</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Takumi Minamino</td>
<td>❌</td>
<td>✅</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Dominik Szoboszlai</td>
<td>✅</td>
<td>✅</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table></div></figure><h3>Links live on</h3>Red Bull began its soccer operations in Salzburg in 2005, but the organization keenly stresses that the club was no longer part of its group since 2017. To allow both RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg to compete in the 2017-18 Champions League, UEFA said Red Bull had to prove it didn't have a "decisive influence" over both clubs. A subsequent shake-up of Salzburg's boardroom included the resignation of the club chairman and tweaks to the Austrian side's Red Bull sponsorship. Other agreements, like loan deals between Leipzig and Salzburg, were cut.However, Leipzig and Salzburg's playing philosophies and kits - which both carry the charging bulls as their sponsor - bear more than a passing resemblance. When Salzburg met Liverpool in 2019, it was only two years after, from UEFA's perspective, they'd moved aside after 12 years under the Red Bull umbrella. The identity was still strong then. At least eight players have passed directly between the clubs since the changes until now.Salzburg's Liverpool links endure. Pep Lijnders, who was Klopp's assistant at Anfield, is currently at the helm, and two Liverpool academy graduates - Stefan Bajcetic (loan deal) and Bobby Clark (permanent transfer) - are in the squad. Leipzig and Liverpool are no strangers, either. The pipeline usually flows in one direction, as outlined earlier, but former Reds player Fabio Carvalho - now at Brentford - tried to get his career back on track last season via a loan spell at Leipzig.Klopp's new role further tightens the Red Bull association with Liverpool.<h3>What to expect</h3>One word regularly crops up when discussing what the Red Bull model and Klopp's approach have in common: intensity. The manager first gained wide acclaim through Borussia Dortmund's gegenpressing (German for "counter-pressing"). He added to his reputation for relentlessness through the swarm of red attackers at Liverpool and his boisterous, snarling celebrations. Klopp's team was unfettered but clearly well trained - a credit to the conditioning and training at the club's Melwood base.The expectations are similar at RB Leipzig. Belgian striker Lois Openda, who previously played for Lens, was taken aback by his Red Bull initiation.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751189/cropped_GettyImages-2179432252.jpg?ts=1729637351" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751189/w220xh124_GettyImages-2179432252.jpg?ts=1729637351 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751189/w320xh180_GettyImages-2179432252.jpg?ts=1729637351 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751189/w640xh360_GettyImages-2179432252.jpg?ts=1729637351 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751189/w768xh432_GettyImages-2179432252.jpg?ts=1729637351 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/751189/w1080xh607_GettyImages-2179432252.jpg?ts=1729637351 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption"> picture alliance / picture alliance / Getty</figcaption></figure>"I can tell you that the first day when I was here, one year ago, after the first training, I went to my bed and slept for four hours because I was dead," Openda told theScore. "They told me that it would 'be really easy for you today.' And after the session, I said, 'That's really easy?'"Another aspect where it's hoped Klopp can help RB Leipzig is finding solutions against defensive-minded opponents. Manuel Baum, head of RB Leipzig's academy, believes the team would benefit from fresh ideas to unpick the increasingly common sight of deep-lying opponents since rising to the top of German football. This is an issue Klopp resolved himself when he reestablished Liverpool as a leading English force. His team never lost its explosiveness, but it could be more patient and precise. There was a plan B."A few years ago, (we did) more the defending and transition part after winning the ball, but now it changed," Baum explained to me about RB Leipzig's challenge. "So now you have to be really, really good and clear in a lot of phases."He added: "A lot of opponents stand very deep against us. So, you need different solutions."Finally, there's Klopp's reputation. Although RB Leipzig find it easier to attract talent after many success stories of players who've passed through the club - and the fact they can consistently compete for domestic honors - it's clear that Klopp's presence makes selling the project that much easier. It's what could result in the next Dani Olmo or Josko Gvardiol staying on longer while the quality of recruitment rises.

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How Klopp's Red Bull romance started in Liverpool - and what happens next

LEIPZIG - RB Leipzig head coach Marco Rose is excited about reuniting with his former manager Jur...

LEIPZIG - RB Leipzig head coach Marco Rose is excited about reuniting with his former manager Jurgen Klopp.Klopp will begin a role as head of Red Bull's global soccer operations in January. His former club, Liverpool, are in Saxony to face RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday, but he's not expected to attend the match.The conversation ahead of the game has largely focused on Klopp's upcoming job at Red Bull. Rose, who spent six seasons playing for Klopp at Mainz earlier in his career, provided a glowing review of his experiences alongside the former tactician during Tuesday's press conference. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"He always brought energy to our team (for us as players)," Rose said. "We had situations at Mainz when we felt helpless, but Kloppo gave us the feeling that we wanted to play again the next day."He added: "We didn't always (have) the same opinion. But I learned a lot from him, and he is a great person, and I am very much looking forward to working together with him."Klopp spent 18 years with Mainz as a player and manager, but some fans have criticized his decision to accept a job overseeing the football wing of energy drink giant Red Bull's sporting ventures."Have you forgotten everything we gave you?" <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3102762" href="https://thescore.com/news/3102762">asked</a> one banner unveiled by Mainz fans during the club's 2-0 Bundesliga defeat to Leipzig this past weekend.Mainz earned promotion to the Bundesliga in 2004 with Klopp at the helm. He subsequently won two Bundesliga titles and the DFB-Pokal over a seven-year spell with Borussia Dortmund before clinching a Champions League title, Premier League crown, FA Cup, two League Cups, and the Club World Cup with Liverpool.

22 October 2024, Saxony, Leipzig: Soccer: Champions League, before the match between RB Leipzig and Liverpool FC, final training session. Leipzig coach Marco Rose observes the training session. Photo: Hendrik Schmidt/dpa

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Rose excited to reunite with Klopp at RB Leipzig: 'He is a great person'

We spoke with RB Leipzig and Hungary goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi about his early years in Budapest a...

We spoke with RB Leipzig and Hungary goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi about his early years in Budapest and Liverpool, his good and bad experiences in England's lower leagues, the Red Bull group's secrets of success, and why he speaks up about social issues. The conversation's been edited for length and clarity.theScore: Was it a culture shock to move from Budapest to Liverpool at such a young age?Peter Gulacsi: I moved to the academy of MTK Budapest when I was 15, and we spent the whole week there and only went home for the weekends. So, I kind of got used to being away from my family during those two years. But of course, moving to another country is a whole different story. I was very lucky that I lived with a really nice family in Liverpool at the beginning, so I kind of had a second home there. That helped me to settle in, to get to know the city, and to stay in a familiar environment. I got my own apartment after one year, but by that time I was already ready for this step. I was used to being abroad.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>theScore: How long did it take you to understand Scouse?Gulacsi: I learned English in school but it's a completely different story when you arrive and you hear people talking. I think I got used to it quite quickly. I left Liverpool almost 12 years ago now, but I still understand Scouse a lot better than any other accent. Once you live there, it's not that difficult. I know that people outside of Liverpool say it's maybe not the nicest accent, but I think it's a nice one.theScore: Was there something in particular that sums up the differences in the facilities and expectations at MTK and Liverpool?Gulacsi: MTK at that time had a really nice academy. But of course, training at Melwood with the first team of Liverpool - this is just like a whole completely different world. We had everything there. But it's not just about the facilities - it's more about the environment, the people, and the players. So, for example, I started training in preseason, when the national team players were still on holidays, but we still had players like Jamie Carragher there. Then, a couple of weeks later, the national team players returned: Xabi Alonso, (Steven) Gerrard, Fernando Torres. Having the chance to train with these players and then be a regular first-team member was an unbelievable experience at 17.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750462/cropped_GettyImages-159603682.jpg?ts=1729278885" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750462/w220xh124_GettyImages-159603682.jpg?ts=1729278885 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750462/w320xh180_GettyImages-159603682.jpg?ts=1729278885 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750462/w640xh360_GettyImages-159603682.jpg?ts=1729278885 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750462/w768xh432_GettyImages-159603682.jpg?ts=1729278885 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750462/w1080xh607_GettyImages-159603682.jpg?ts=1729278885 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">Gulacsi challenges Daniel Sturridge during Liverpool training John Powell / Liverpool FC / Getty</figcaption></figure>theScore: You worked under Rafael Benitez, Roy Hodgson, Kenny Dalglish, and Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool. Who do you think gave you the biggest chance?Gulacsi: Having the same manager in Rafa, and the same goalkeeping coach with Xavi Valero, for the first three years gave me the chance to develop. I played for the reserves before I was loaned out in my second season to Hereford United and in my third season to Tranmere Rovers. Then the changes happened. It's not easy for an inexperienced, young 'keeper to get a chance and make steps forward when the club is going through difficult times. Managers are always under pressure from the beginning. So, I would say the second part of my Liverpool time was not so easy. But still, I managed to go on loan one more time to Tranmere and then to Hull City. I sat on the bench, I think, over 50 times for the first team but I never played a minute. It was a fantastic experience to work with different managers - really, really good managers - and also with (goalkeeping coach) John Achterberg for three years. The whole six years were a very important experience for me.theScore: Hereford, Tranmere, and Hull seem to be unlikely destinations for a future Bundesliga star. What did you learn at those clubs?Gulacsi: Different things. In Hereford, that was the first time I was a No. 1 after being third choice at Liverpool and playing for the reserves. You realize straight away, it's a whole different level. It's very physical, a lot of action. You're under pressure. It was an important experience. In Tranmere, the situation was really good for me, because I could train with Liverpool and only had to do the prematch training and the games at Tranmere. So, I kind of stayed in a top football environment, but had the chance to play regularly on a very good level.At Hull City, I had the chance to play in the Championship, which is a very competitive, very tough league. I was on the bench after I didn't perform well in the first three games. I was not convincing, I was maybe taking too many risks, and I wasn't clever enough as a goalkeeper. It's not always about the good experiences. Sometimes it's about learning from those mistakes you make and the time at Hull was definitely one where I could learn a lot. When I got the chance in Salzburg, I knew how to be a No. 1 'keeper.theScore: How did Red Bull Salzburg know you were ready to play first-team football for them after your experience at Hull?Gulacsi: I heard they scouted me when I played for Hungary Under-21s. After the season at Hull, I went back again for a whole season at Liverpool while still playing for the Under-21 team in Hungary.I think Salzburg were looking for a goalkeeper who was playing for a top team; a modern goalkeeper who is playing well behind the defense, good with his feet, and reading the game. And of course, if you play for Liverpool, you're mainly dominating the games - even with the reserves. You always have to make good decisions and to build up the game. They were looking for this type of goalkeeper, so they scouted me and chose me in the end.theScore: How did the training environment in Salzburg differ to what you experienced before?Gulacsi: I was mainly second or third goalkeeper when I trained with Liverpool's first team. You're mainly there to support the No. 1 'keeper and stay out if the outfield players want to do extra shooting practice.When you come to a club and you're the No. 1 'keeper, it's a different story. Your main objective is to prepare yourself for the game at the weekend. You have to be fully mentally and physically fit. The professionalism at Salzburg was something you could compare to Liverpool. It's a really organized top professional club in a smaller league, but with fantastic facilities and possibilities. It was a really good opportunity.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750464/cropped_GettyImages-475315813.jpg?ts=1729279034" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750464/w220xh124_GettyImages-475315813.jpg?ts=1729279034 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750464/w320xh180_GettyImages-475315813.jpg?ts=1729279034 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750464/w640xh360_GettyImages-475315813.jpg?ts=1729279034 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750464/w768xh432_GettyImages-475315813.jpg?ts=1729279034 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750464/w1080xh607_GettyImages-475315813.jpg?ts=1729279034 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">Gulacsi after Salzburg beat Ajax in Europa League knockout game SAMUEL KUBANI / AFP / Getty</figcaption></figure>theScore: When did you know a move to Leipzig was a possibility?Gulacsi: We started talking about it sometime in April or May of my second season. I played exactly 100 games for Salzburg in two years; the games in the Europa League were fantastic opportunities to show myself to an international audience, and then you play in the league where you have a lot of games, you can learn, you can make mistakes. But after two years, I felt I wanted something more competitive than the Austrian league. An opportunity from Leipzig came very early and I was convinced. At that time, the club was in the second division, but with the potential and the vision to go to the first division. I liked the challenge: a young team with talented players playing in a similar way to Salzburg. That's why I think I made the right decision very, very quickly.theScore: What do you think the Red Bull clubs do differently to other clubs?Gulacsi: I think most clubs are trying to do similar things. You try to find talents and develop them into top players. Of course, the clubs at the very, very top don't have the need to do that. They can just buy already complete, finished players for a lot of money. But Red Bull always has the vision to find young talents - maybe not complete players - with the potential to bring them to another level. Recent years have shown this approach is very successful.theScore: What do you think the other key ingredients were to Leipzig's rise since you joined the club?Gulacsi: We had a very strong team already in the second league. We had probably seven or eight players from the team playing six or seven years later in the Champions League semifinals. It just shows the desire of these players to play for this club. That's the spine of the team. Of course, we always manage to bring in top talents who later develop into top players and maybe make the next step in their career, but the continuity in the club, to keep the quality and maintain the performances - it's very special.theScore: Out of all the talented players you've played with at Leipzig, who's been the new arrival who's made you go, 'Wow, who's this guy?'Gulacsi: Wow, it's difficult. We've had so many great players. If I start naming any, I would forget someone. This is maybe not fair toward the others, but based on the Euros recently, I think a player who was very special - and it's a joy to watch him - is Dani Olmo. I think Dani is a very special player. But we had Christopher Nkunku, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Timo Werner. We had fantastic defenders with "Ibu" Konate, Josko Gvardiol, Dayot Upamecano. We always manage to replace these players with quality. We have a really strong team now as well. This club is the perfect platform for players to develop and perform on the highest level.theScore: How did you find playing for RB Leipzig against Liverpool in an empty stadium in 2021?Gulacsi: We weren't allowed to enter the UK because of the coronavirus, so we had to play in Budapest - our home stadium for the national team - twice. I still wish for the chance to play at a full Anfield. That would be special. Fortunately or unfortunately, we will play at home (on Wednesday). So, hopefully we'll have that home advantage. It's an important game for us and it's one we would like to win.<figure class="article-segment--image"><img src="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750466/cropped_GettyImages-1231206354.jpg?ts=1729279232" srcset="https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750466/w220xh124_GettyImages-1231206354.jpg?ts=1729279232 220w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750466/w320xh180_GettyImages-1231206354.jpg?ts=1729279232 320w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750466/w640xh360_GettyImages-1231206354.jpg?ts=1729279232 640w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750466/w768xh432_GettyImages-1231206354.jpg?ts=1729279232 768w, https://assets-cms.thescore.com/uploads/image/file/750466/w1080xh607_GettyImages-1231206354.jpg?ts=1729279232 1080w"><figcaption class="article-segment--image-caption">Gulacsi and Jordan Henderson chat after a match Trenka Attila - PA Images / PA Images / Getty</figcaption></figure>theScore: What do you think RB Leipzig can achieve in the Champions League this season?Gulacsi: Our situation is not easy at the moment. We started with two defeats in two games where we weren't the worst team. We lost against Atletico (Madrid) in the last minute, and Juventus got a red card against us and we were 2-1 in front before we lost the game. It's disappointing. So against Liverpool, we're in a situation where we have to start collecting points, and we'll see how the game goes. But in general our target stays the same: We would like to qualify for the next round, and then we'll see how far we can go.theScore: You returned from a serious knee injury a couple of years ago. What don't people know about what you went through during that rehabilitation?Gulacsi: I'll always talk openly about it. I had an ACL ligament injury. I had surgery six weeks later and they found a bacterium in my knee, so I had to have two extra surgeries. That's why my rehab was typical for an ACL injury. It took me eight months to start running, which is a very long time for a professional athlete when you're used to training every day. It's a very frustrating time. It took me one year to play another competitive game, and it took me almost one-and-a-half years to be the No. 1 again. I learned a lot about football and about myself. I think I improved as a person and as an athlete as well. And for sure, I had the time to recover from the amount of games we played in the past. I'm enjoying every moment now and I'm very happy that I'm playing 100% fit.theScore: Is the players' workload a big issue in football? Do you support the likes of Rodri coming forward and talking about this?Gulacsi: One problem is, of course, the amount of games. But the other problem is the pressure of not being able to rest players. If coaches lose three games on the bounce, they're out of the job. So of course, you always want to use the best players. It's not easy to always think long term. It's more about thinking short term and trying to win the next game. And now with the amount of games, the load will be more and more. So I don't know what the solution is. There aren't many options for the players, but I hope that one day maybe this topic will be discussed, maybe on another level. But at the moment, we accept the situation and we just have to get on with it.theScore: You've been very outspoken about social issues, including LGBTQ+ rights in Hungary. Do you think it's important that footballers use their platform to speak up about things like that?Gulacsi: It depends what kind of person you are. And it's not something we have to do, but we have the possibility and the tools. I think we are responsible not just for our life, but also for other people's lives. If we can change the world to a better one, then it's something we have to do or we should do.theScore: Where do you think you get that perspective from?Gulacsi: I grew up like this. My parents always thought these values are important: Respect other people and accept other people. This is also what I've experienced in my life. I've been living in foreign countries now for around 17 years. I went to England first, then I lived in Austria, then I came here to Germany. I was always treated and accepted really well in these countries and I'm very grateful for that. This is how I try to treat people and I think if we're all like this, then maybe we can make this world a bit better.

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Q&A: Peter Gulacsi on life in Liverpool, keys to Red Bull's success

Pep Guardiola hasn't ruled out the possibility of taking control of England's men's team while he...

Pep Guardiola hasn't ruled out the possibility of taking control of England's men's team while he remains undecided about his future at Manchester City."Leaving City? It's not true, I haven't decided yet," Guardiola told Italian TV show Che Tempo Che Fa, as reported by <a href="https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/guardiola-dichiarazioni-news">Sky Sport Italia's Gianluca Di Marzio</a> and translated by <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/oct/14/anything-can-happen-guardiola-discusses-england-job-link-on-italian-tv">The Guardian</a>. "And it is not even true that I will be the next England coach. If I had decided I would say it … I don't know either, anything can happen."Guardiola's contract at the Etihad Stadium expires at the end of the season. Speculation that the trophy-hoarding manager will depart City increased following Tuesday's news that sporting director Txiki Begiristain - who shares a close relationship with the Spanish tactician - would step down from his role at the club next summer. Hugo Viana has since been confirmed as Begiristain's successor.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The questions around Guardiola's future coincide with the Football Association's search for Gareth Southgate's successor as the next full-time England boss. Lee Carsley took interim charge of the men's team in August but <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3097241" href="https://thescore.com/news/3097241">revealed</a> that he hasn't applied to take the job on a permanent basis and <a data-in-app-uri="thescore:///news/3096305" href="https://thescore.com/news/3096305">lost support</a> following Thursday's defeat to Greece and his confusing post-match comments.England has appointed foreign managers in the past: Sven-Goran Eriksson and Fabio Capello. However, Guardiola has won more trophies than that pair and already boasts experience working in the country. The FA has tried to appoint managers closer to Guardiola's profile before, attempting to hire Jose Mourinho in 2007 and Arsene Wenger in 2016, according to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5838293/2024/10/13/pep-guardiola-england-manager/">The Athletic's Tim Spiers</a>.

MILAN, ITALY - OCTOBER 13: Pep Guardiola attends the "Che Tempo Che Fa" TV show at Nove Studios on October 13, 2024 in Milan, Italy.