Bayern Munich
Transfer Live Updates: City not after Kovacic, Chelsea to get Milinkovic-Savic & more
Transfer Live Updates: City not after Kovacic, Chelsea to get Milinkovic-Savic & more
Manchester City are unwilling to meet the £80m valuation of Croatia and Real Madrid midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The Citizens are still in the market for a defensive midfielder. (Source: Sky Sports)
Liverpool are willing to bid for Barcelona goalkeeper Jasper Cillissen after Loris Karius’ horrendous form continues in the pre-season. The Reds are reportedly ready to bid £30m for the Dutchman. (Source: The Kop Times)
Newcastle United and Celtic are interested in Uruguayan midfielder Giorgian de Arrascaeta, who is valued around £18m by Cruzeiro. (Source: Sun)
Southampton have distanced themselves from reports suggesting that they are after Liverpool striker Danny Ings. (Source: Daily Echo)
Chelsea are looking to sign Serb Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio after the arrival of new manager Maurizio Sarri. The Italian club reportedly wants £115m for the attacking midfielder. (Source: A Stamford Bridge too Far)
Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson insists that Wilfried Zaha is going nowhere. The winger has been a target of Everton, Tottenham and Dortmund this summer. (Source: Liverpool Echo)
Real Madrid can sell Gareth Bale to Manchester United, provided they get two signings to cover the loss of the Welshman and also Cristiano Ronaldo. United will have to pay around £90m to get their man. (Source: We All Follow United)
Blow for Tottenham Hotspur as the World Cup star Benjamin Pavard may sign for Bayern Munich and reject a move to North London. (Source: To the Lane and Back)
Leicester City forward Ahmed Musa is being heavily linked with a move to a Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr. (Source: Leicester Mercury)
Fenerbahce have made Tottenham midfielder Mousa Dembele as their target to further strengthen their squad for the upcoming Champions League campaign along with league duties. (Source: Fanatik, via 90min)
Arsenal Dragon
Georgia Stanway Reveals Why Bayern Munich Were “Overexcited” Before Stunning Arsenal Comeback
Georgia Stanway attributed Bayern Munich’s slow start against Arsenal to nerves playing at the Allianz Arena, explaining the German champions got “overexcited” before orchestrating their dramatic 3-2 comeback from two goals down.
Read More: Injury Update From International Camp About Key Defender Brings Relief to Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta
Allianz Arena Pressure Creates First-Half Problems
Bayern trailed 2-0 at halftime after Emily Fox and Mariona Caldentey goals put Arsenal in control. Stanway admitted the 75,000-capacity stadium creates unusual pressure for a team accustomed to playing at the FC Bayern complex, which holds just 2,500 spectators.
“It always happens to us first half when we play here,” Stanway told Disney+ after the match. “The more that we play here, the more that we’ll get comfortable being in this environment. It’s a little bit abnormal, and sometimes we get a little bit overexcited, feeling the emotions a little bit.”
The England international explained Bayern’s desire to entertain fans creates additional nerves. “The reality is we want people to come back. The nerves are on in order to create a good environment, a good game, to keep fans here and provide this stadium for us as much as possible.”
Halftime Adjustments Sparked Transformation
Bayern’s coaching staff addressed tactical deficiencies during the break, analyzing pictures and identifying solutions that transformed the second half completely. Stanway acknowledged the team’s relief after recovering from their disappointing opening 45 minutes.
“It feels good but it’s also a bit of a relief. We were very unsatisfied with the first half, and I think second half was just a completely different game and a massive show of character.”
Pernille Harder’s introduction proved pivotal, with the substitute scoring Bayern’s equalizer before Glodis Viggosdottir completed the turnaround. The crowd’s energy grew with each goal, creating momentum Arsenal couldn’t resist.
“It’s special and I think the second half when we got the goal, we hear the crowd, we get it again, we hear the crowd, every single defensive action we heard the crowd again,” Stanway reflected.
Bayern face Paris Saint-Germain next in Champions League action.
Arsenal Women surrendered a commanding two-goal lead at the Allianz Arena, collapsing spectacularly after dominating the first half. The defeat represents an early blow to the holders’ Champions League defense and exposes fundamental weaknesses in Renee Slegers’ side.
Defensive High Line Proved Disastrous
Arsenal’s backline held an extremely high defensive position throughout, which Bayern ruthlessly exploited during their second-half comeback. Stephanie Catley and Lottie Wubben-Moy were caught flat-footed for Alara Sehitler’s 67th-minute goal, with Bayern breaking quickly while Arsenal pushed high up the pitch.
Sehitler found herself in acres of space to clip past Daphne van Domselaar, highlighting catastrophic positioning from Arsenal’s defenders. The same defensive naivety appeared for Pernille Harder’s equalizer, with both center-backs standing off and allowing the substitute uncontested shooting space on the box edge.
Read More: Experienced Vet Wins Arsenal Women’s October Player of the Month After Breaking Goal Drought
Second-Half Tactical Capitulation
Arsenal dominated the opening 45 minutes completely, making Bayern look ordinary through high pressing and controlled possession. But Slegers failed adjusting tactically after halftime, allowing Bayern to completely dominate proceedings and turn the match around.
The manager receives a damning 4/10 rating for her inability to respond as Bayern’s momentum grew. Her substitutions failed stemming the tide, with Chloe Kelly and Frida Maanum making minimal impact. Maanum particularly disappointed by squandering a glorious opportunity with 10 minutes remaining after excellent Alessia Russo work.
Pernille Harder Continues Arsenal Curse
Harder’s 80th-minute equalizer marked her seventh goal against Arsenal following her Chelsea career. The Danish striker’s unorthodox but brilliant looping shot over Van Domselaar demonstrated her instinctive finishing ability that has consistently punished the Gunners.
Arsenal’s inability to handle Harder’s movement and shooting prowess reflects deeper issues defending against intelligent forwards who exploit space between lines. Her goal sparked Bayern’s late surge, with Glodis Viggosdottir completing the turnaround four minutes later following another Klara Buhl assist.
Arsenal Dragon
Arsenal Women Player Ratings vs. Bayern Munich: Pernille Harder Haunts Gunners as Champions Squander Two-Goal Lead
Arsenal Women surrendered a commanding two-goal advantage to lose 3-2 at the Allianz Arena, suffering a devastating Champions League defeat that threatens their title defense. Emily Fox and Mariona Caldentey established control before Bayern’s second-half onslaught overturned the deficit.
The Standout Performers:
Mariona Caldentey – 7/10 Thrashed home Arsenal’s second goal after capitalizing on dreadful Bayern defending. Shifted the ball brilliantly before unleashing an unstoppable 20-yard drive into the roof of the net.
Provided creative spark throughout, constantly threatening with technical quality whenever receiving possession.
Alessia Russo – 7/10 Deserved more for her efforts after seeing plenty of possession in dangerous areas. Forced excellent save from Mala Grohs with long-distance strike and created wonderful opportunity for Frida Maanum late on. Her attacking intent couldn’t prevent the collapse.
Emily Fox – 7/10 Opened scoring by capitalizing on goalkeeper error, heading home from close range after Beth Mead’s powerful shot.
Faced significantly more defensive work after halftime as Bayern dominated proceedings.
The Solid Showings:
Beth Mead – 6/10 Credited with assist for opener after her fierce low shot was palmed down into Fox’s path. Involved in buildup for second goal and shrugged off heavy challenge in the 50th minute. Productive evening overall.
Stina Blackstenius – 6/10 Nearly scored spectacular goal when fierce strike crashed off crossbar. Constant threat before 60th-minute substitution but couldn’t add to Arsenal’s tally.
Caitlin Foord – 6/10 Productive display cut short after hour mark when replaced by Chloe Kelly.
Katie McCabe – 6/10 Relatively quiet evening before 75th-minute substitution.
Victoria Pelova – 6/10 Covered significant ground with tireless running before replacement by Kyra Cooney-Cross.
Daphne van Domselaar – 5/10 Virtual spectator during dominant first half. Exposed completely for Alara Sehitler’s 67th-minute goal and helpless preventing Pernille Harder’s brilliant looping equalizer or Glodis Viggosdottir’s winner.
Stephanie Catley – 5/10 Caught flat-footed holding high line for Bayern’s opener. Stood off Harder disastrously for equalizer.
Lottie Wubben-Moy – 5/10 Similar struggles to defensive partner Catley. Slow closing down Harder for leveller after being caught off-guard by Bayern’s quick break.
Chloe Kelly – 5/10 Struggled making impact after 60th-minute introduction with Arsenal pinned back.
Frida Maanum – 5/10 Squandered glorious chance after excellent Russo work with 10 minutes remaining.
Renee Slegers – 4/10 Shell-shocked after watching commanding position evaporate. Failed adjusting tactically after halftime as Bayern completely dominated.
- Liverpool13 years ago
Raheem Sterling Age 17 Kids 3 Women 2
- Arsenal13 years ago
Etienne Capoue To Become An Arsenal Player In Summer
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Defender Nacho Monreal Doesn’t Agree The Direction The Club Is Going.
- Arsenal13 years ago
Robin van Persie wants to move back to Arsenal
- Arsenal13 years ago
Report: Arsenal Could Sign A Striker Next Week
- Headlines13 years ago
Manchester United Preparing A (Javier Hernandez + De Gea + 55 Million) Bid For Ronaldo
- Arsenal13 years ago
Arsenal Planning To Bring In ‘Next Fabregas’
- Headlines13 years ago
Three Reasons Why Manchester United Must Sign This “Next Vidic”