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High Stakes As Bayern Munich Host PSG Amid European Wobbles

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Bayern Munich host Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday in a battle between two sides flying high domestically but seemingly struggling to adjust to the new Champions League format. After four games, Bayern have lost twice — including a 4-1 defeat by Barcelona, led by their former boss Hansi Flick — and sit 17th, which would leave them unseeded for the knockout phase play-off. PSG’s situation is even worse, with the French champions in 25th — one spot outside the knockout places entirely. 

For two teams who contested the Champions League final just four years ago, and who both lead their leagues by six points, the lowly rankings are already cause for concern. 

Bayern’s struggles are a far cry from their exploits in the old group stage, where the six-time European champions signed off with a record 40-match unbeaten run, featuring 36 wins and four draws. 

Their last loss in the group phase came back in 2017 — a 3-0 defeat to Tuesday’s opponents PSG. 

This season, other than Bayern’s loss in Barcelona, which led to whispers new coach Vincent Kompany may struggle against top sides, the German giants have impressed. 

Unbeaten in the league, Bayern’s only other defeat came in the Champions League away at Aston Villa — a 1-0 loss in a repeat of the 1982 European Cup final. 

As it would be for PSG, a league phase elimination remains an unthinkable possibility — and one which could have real ramifications for Kompany.

The crowded football calendar provides a real incentive for finishing in the top eight and avoiding the extra play-off round for teams finishing from ninth to 24th.

Thomas Mueller knows PSG, who still have to play Manchester City, will be eager to gain ground after an underwhelming start in Europe.

“Paris’ position in the table does not reflect their performance. They’re a super team with super individual players,” the Bayern veteran told BR24 on Saturday. 

“A lot is at stake. I’m happy it’s at home.”

‘Married couple’

PSG’s loss to Bayern in the 2020 final — when their former academy product Kingsley Coman scored the winner against them — remains the closest the French side have come to Champions League glory.

Collectively, Bayern and PSG have won 21 of the past 24 league titles on offer at home, and the two have made a habit of running into each other in Europe. 

Tuesday’s meeting marks the fourth time in six seasons the pair will meet. Bayern have won four of the five past games but PSG did eliminate them in the quarter-finals of the 2020-21 competition. 

“In the Champions League, you almost feel we’re a married couple,” Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen said earlier this year after the draw was made.

PSG’s swift attackers will hope to trouble a Bayern side missing defensive midfielders Aleksandar Pavlovic and Joao Palhinha.

The out-of-form Leon Goretzka deputised well in Friday’s 3-0 home win over Augsburg, but PSG are likely to pose a different level of threat. 

Bayern defender Dayot Upamecano is better placed than most to know what to expect from France team-mates Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola.

“It’s an important game for us,” Upamecano told Telefoot on Sunday.

“If you look at the table, it’s not great — we are not where we want to be.”

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

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Ex-RCB Fast Bowler Handed Major Punishment By ICC For ‘Abusing Fourth Umpire’

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West Indies bowler Alzarri Joseph has been fined 25 per cent of his match fee for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct by using offensive language in an exchange with a match official, during the first ODI match against Bangladesh, which the hosts won by five wickets. Joseph was found to have breached Article 2.3 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to “the use of an audible obscenity.” In addition to this, one demerit point has been added to Joseph’s disciplinary record, for whom it was the first offence in a 24-month period, the ICC informed in a statement on Tuesday, minutes ahead of the start of the second ODI.

The incident occurred on Sunday before the start of play when Joseph used offensive and abusive language in an exchange with the fourth umpire after the umpire had asked Joseph to refrain from stepping onto the pitch with his spikes on.

Joseph admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Jeff Crowe of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing.

On-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Leslie Reifer, third umpire Asif Yaqoob and fourth umpire Gregory Brathwaite levelled the charge.

Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player’s match fee, and one or two demerit points.

Joseph went on to claim 2-67 and with Romario Shepherd, who claimed 3-51, helped West Indies restrict Bangladesh 294/6, propped up by skipper Mehidy Hasan Miraz (74), Tanzid Hasan (60), Mahmudullah (50 not out) and Jaker Ali (48).

West Indies rode on an 80-ball 113 by Sherfane Rutherford and an 86 by skipper Shai Hope to reach 295/5 with 14 balls to spare.

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Pep Guardiola Confirms Manchester City Will Be His Last Club As Manager

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Pep Guardiola, who signed a new contract with Manchester City in November, has stated that his time in Manchester will be his last managerial stint as a club head coach. “I want to leave it and go and play golf but I can’t. A time will come when I feel it’s enough and I’ll definitely stop then. I’m not going to manage another team. I’m not talking about the long-term future but what I’m not going to do is leave Manchester City and go to another country to do the same thing as I am now,” said Guardiola on Desmontadito’s YouTube channel. The Catalan’s new deal means he will spend more than a decade as City manager. Guardiola’s time at City is one laden with success. He has so far won 18 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and one UEFA Champions League.

One of the most successful coaches in football history, Guardiola went on to confirm his interest in coaching a national team. The 53-year-old was recently linked to the England head coach role before the job was offered to Thomas Tuchel.

“I wouldn’t have the energy to do so. I’m still here doing what I am today. But the thought of starting off somewhere else, with all the process of the training and so on… no, no, no! Maybe a national team but that’s different,” he added.

Guardiola has been under immense pressure since signing his new contract after Manchester City has gone through the worst period under his tenure. The team has struggled to win in both the Premier League and UEFA Champions League which has seen the team fall down to fourth and 17th in the respective tables.

“I should stop, like these chefs that go to other countries, stop and see what we’ve done well and what we could do better and when you’re busy all day day after day you don’t have time to do that. I think stopping would do me good,” he concluded.

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Formula 1: Charles Leclerc Tops Abu Dhabi Post-Season, Carlos Sainz Impresses On Williams Debut

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Charles Leclerc ended the 2024 F1 season on a high note, leading the post-season test at the Yas Marina Circuit for Ferrari. Leclerc set the fastest lap, edging out former teammate Carlos Sainz, who impressed in his Williams debut, and Mercedes’ George Russell, who claimed third. The nine-hour test featured both rookies and regular drivers, with teams experimenting with different setups and testing Pirelli’s homologated 2025 tyres. While teams like Ferrari and Mercedes worked to refine their packages, the focus was also on significant driver transitions.

Carlos Sainz, in his first outing with Williams, made an early impact by topping the morning session. Building on a brief filming run the day before, Sainz adjusted quickly to his new surroundings, finishing just a tenth behind Leclerc by the end of the day.

McLaren, fresh off a strong outing in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, divided their test duties between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Norris finished 16th during his morning stint, with Piastri slotting in a few places lower after taking over in the afternoon. Both drivers focused on testing new components rather than outright lap times.

Red Bull welcomed Yuki Tsunoda for his first test with the main team after several seasons at AlphaTauri. Tsunoda completed valuable mileage, finishing in the midfield, as Red Bull continued refining their 2024 car for further dominance next year.

Williams, aside from Sainz’s headline-grabbing debut, also fielded rookie Luke Browning, who showcased promise by completing solid laps and slotting into the top 12.

The day was not just about seasoned drivers. Mercedes’ highly anticipated junior, Kimi Antonelli, continued his preparations for a future F1 debut, while Williams and McLaren also worked with their younger reserves to test future talent.

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