Lennart Karl on IG:
'I honestly don't know where to begin, but it hurts beyond words to have to miss the biggest tournament of all. I did everything I could to be fit for the World Cup. Unfortunately, injuries often come at the worst possible moment.
I wish my team the greatest possible success, and of course I'll be supporting them every single minute. I'll come back stronger - I promise. 💪🏻
Thank you for all the incredible messages and support. ❤️ Good luck, @DFB_Team 🖤♥️💛
Mathew Leckie... what a WARRIOR.
He has worn the green and gold at three World Cups. In Qatar, it was his goal against Denmark that dragged the Socceroos into the knockouts and sent a nation wild.
It had been 718 days since his last international match and the last two years have tested him like nothing before. Injuries, surgery, long months watching from the sidelines. Many would give up on their World Cup dream.
He didn't. At the Rose Bowl he was back in green and gold, 35 years old and still chasing a fourth World Cup.
Ridiculous decision.
Every World Cup brings the nation together, hundreds of thousands of Aussies standing shoulder to shoulder, around the country, often through the night, even in the cold and rain to share in their passion for the @TheMatildas or @Socceroos
Kids, families, all cultures, faiths.
It’s an important time for Aussies to feel together, watch the world’s largest sporting event, share in the national spirit.
The vision of fans in different cities all sharing in the experience has become a hallmark of both female and male World Cups, connecting the country through ⚽️
All stakeholders should be working to overturn this absurd decision.
Whether @FootballAUS@aleaguemen, the PFA as whole of game, along with members of @VicParliament, @cityofmelbourne
And @JacintaAllanMP should intervene.
Windhorst on the hoop collective today kept trying to say Detroit doesn’t have the defense on the wings the raptors did and McMahon/Bontemps both were like “did you forget Ausar Thompson?”
Then Windy tried talking about Mitchell getting a favorable matchup, and they both, again, responded with “uhm, Ausar Thompson will probably be on him the entire series”
Then Windy tried saying they can get him off of DM, and again it was like “they have Ausar Thompson”
😭😭
Jalen Duren held Wendell Carter Jr to 5 rebounds in the final two games of this series, btw.
WCJ also walked off the court without shaking hands after the loss.
I think we know who got the final laugh and won the war.
Out of superstition, PSG asked to stay at the Infinity Hotel in Munich ahead of Wednesday's return leg against Bayern, the same hotel where they stayed last year when they won the Champions League. However, the Infinity Hotel is where Bayern usually stay before their home games. Located just 20 km (around 15 minutes) from the Allianz Arena, it's ideal for traveling to the stadium. For Bayern, it was out of the question to let PSG have it.
Vincent Kompany and Christoph Freund insisted when they were asked about that: "This is our city. We're staying at Infinity." - "We're not giving up our home hotel. This is our home game and our city"
Therefore, PSG will have to look for another hotel and will stay at the Andaz hotel at Schwabinger Tor – also conveniently located near the A9 motorway to the Allianz Arena
[@lequipe & @BILD]
Duncan Robinson’s love of basketball started with his big brother, Eli. But when Eli got older, he began to struggle.
It takes incredible strength to share a story like this. Thank you, Duncan, for your vulnerability. Well done @mcten. I know this hit close to home.
Leeds United closer to European places than relegation. Things looking up rather than down for Leeds. What a job Daniel Farke has done since half-time at the Etihad. #LUFC
I don't think people have given just enough credit to Bayern's season...
They have scored 167 goals in 49 matches, 3.4 goals per match.
113 of which have been scored in the Bundesliga.
Only 7 sides have ever scored more in a Top 5 League season, and they still have 3 matches to go, 2 of which are against Heidenheim and Wolfsburg, the teams with the worst defensive record in the Bundesliga.
2 sides have broken 120 League goals in a Top 5 League, Jose Mourinho's 2011/12 Real Madrid and Torino's 1947/48 team.
If Bayern can break 120 League goals in a 34 match League campaign, it'll be a phenomenal feat!
Leeds United can take pride in their season. Leaving Wembley disappointed and frustrated actually shows what they have achieved this season. They under-performed compared to some of their more vibrant, assertive form on that seven-game unbeaten run. Leeds lost (deservedly) to a newly-motivated Chelsea side whose starting XI cost £551m. Leeds’ starting XI cost £103m. It's not a level playing field for starters.
Leeds went out with a whimper, too meek in the first half, but have over-achieved this season. Plenty of reasons for positivity. Close to confirming they’re staying up, against gloomy pre-season predictions of many rivals. Six points clear of the drop zone with four games remaining and Burnley at home on Friday. Showing a togetherness in the team and between players and supporters that others covet. Generating atmospheres in stadia that few can match.
Guided by a likeable head coach in Daniel Farke who made the right decision when the pressure was on most, changing the tactics and mood (Etihad, Nov 29). Good players like Gudmundsson and Ampadu stepping up, Calvert-Lewin getting back in England contention, Stach class.
A fully fit Stach would have helped against Wembley (arrived at the break). An earlier tweak to 3-4-2-1 to combat Chelsea’s control and give DCL some support might have helped (Farke did go to a back-four at half-time but Chelsea closed down the game, including time-wasting and tactical time-outs).
Leeds can still take pride in reaching the semi-final of the Cup, taking 34,000 to Wembley, and could easily have sold out the stadium on their own. That river of white and yellow flowing from all parts towards football's HQ confirmed the size of the club and the passion it stirs. Need to strengthen further in the summer, keep key players, and continue building. A bad day at Wembley, a missed opportunity, a sense of dismay, cannot slow Leeds United's revival. #LUFC