Whether you’re ready for it or not, club soccer is back. Following the recent international break, some players return to their clubs after achieving incredible success with their home country (Mohamed Salah, anyone?). Others return after suffering indelible defeats. These important six players could cost their teams points if they struggle to overcome heartbreak at the international level.
Jupp, he’s back, again. Jupp Heynckes was appointed to be the new Bayern Munich coach through the end of the season on Friday, the German’s fourth stint with the club dating back to 1987. Heynckes replaces Carlo Ancelotti, who was canned in September after a 3-0 hiding from Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League combined with a slow start in the Bundesliga.
Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski is now Poland's all-time leading scorer after nailing two free kicks in the first half of a World Cup qualifier against Armenia Thursday, plus a tap-in in the second half. Lewandowski's hat trick gives him 50 international goals, including 15 in the current World Cup qualifying campaign.
First, Lewandowski lined up a superb free-kick to put Poland up 2-0.
¡GOLAZO!
If you’re curious as to why you’re suddenly being inundated with photos of Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti looking quizzical with his eyebrow cocked, it’s because Bayern Munich have parted ways with the coach following their 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
First things first before we move on to lesser talking points: there was no penalty awarded to PSG on Wednesday, but Neymar and Edinson Cavani took turns on direct free kicks. They also shared moments of slightly frigid tenderness, Cavani comforting Neymar after a terrible miss and Neymar belatedly arriving to congratulate Cavani on his superbly taken goal.
So this is it. The 2017 portion of Paris Saint-Germain’s 2017-18 season boils down to Wednesday’s match against Bayern Munich at the Parc des Princes, followed by their clash on December 5 at the Allianz. Will Neymar do enough in those two matches to kick-start his campaign for the 2018 Ballon d’Or?
Bayern Munich goalkeeper and Germany No. 1 Manuel Neuer is out until January after undergoing foot surgery recently. While Neuer is considered one of the best goalies in the world, most assumed Bayern would have the strength and depth to maintain its high standars without him. That was until a Sven Ulreich howler cost the German giants two points on Friday.