Preview: Dortmund, Bayern on knife-edge as German title race goes to wire

Bayern Munich coach Thomas Tuchel. AFP 

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Borussia Dortmund are on the brink of being crowned German champions for the ninth time as they prepare to face Mainz on the final day of the Bundesliga season on Saturday, breaking Bayern Munich's decade-long hold on the title.

European spots are also up for grabs alongside one of the tightest relegation battles in recent memory as the campaign comes to an end.

At the top of the table, Dortmund know a win over mid-table Mainz will secure the title, while Bayern can claim their 11th straight championship with a win at Cologne, if of course the leaders slip up.

Dortmund manager Edin Terzic called on his side not to lose focus, with one game to play.

"We're not done yet, but we're ready to take the final step," Terzic said, "As a team, as a club, as a city."

Terzic was called "the best Dortmund coach since Jurgen Klopp" on Thursday by Germany's Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, putting the 40-year-old ahead of Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel, perhaps a sign how far the former Chelsea mentor's stock has fallen since taking the job.

Bayern have closed ranks ahead of a week which could see them go trophyless for the first time since 2011-12, but veteran Thomas Mueller called on fans to "stick together for one more week".

Writing on Instagram, Mueller -- who has won the last ten Bundesliga titles in a row with Bayern -- told his 12.8 million Instagram followers "everything is still possible".

Further down the pecking order, one of Union Berlin or Freiburg will join RB Leipzig in the Champions League for the first time.

Level on points, Union hold a slight advantage on goal difference and can all but secure a top four spot by beating Werder Bremen at home, where they have not lost a league match this season.

Union manager Urs Fischer said "there's a lot at stake in this game" but urged his side to "stay relaxed, otherwise we'll cramp up."

Guaranteed at least fifth and a spot in the Europa League, Freiburg face a slightly tougher task if they want to overtake Union and claim a first Champions League appearance, travelling to Eintracht Frankfurt.

Despite lifting the Europa League trophy almost exactly 12 months ago, Frankfurt have only a slight mathematical chance of a return to European football, needing a big win while hoping both Wolfsburg and Bayer Leverkusen lose.

At the other end of the table, while last-placed Hertha Berlin's return to the second division after a decade was sealed last week, any one of four clubs -- Schalke, Bochum, Stuttgart and Augsburg -- could join them.

Schalke likely have the toughest challenge, travelling to face RB Leipzig, while Bochum host Leverkusen and Augsburg visit Borussia Moenchengladbach.

The third-last side escapes the automatic trapdoor to the second division but must play a relegation playoff against the third-best side in the second division over a two-legged tie.

One to watch: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund)

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham is in a race against time to be fit for Saturday's title-defining match against Mainz, in what may be his last game for the club.

Bellingham missed Dortmund's 3-0 win away at Augsburg on Sunday with a knee issue, only the second game the teenager has missed in the past two seasons due to injury.

Despite a contract which runs until 2025 at Dortmund, the 19-year-old is being courted by Real Madrid and Manchester City.

"I feel good" Bellingham said on social media on Wednesday, but sporting director Sebastian Kehl revealed the midfielder was sticking to an "incredibly ambitious" regime to return to the pitch.

Manager Edin Terzic said on Thursday Bellingham would "definitely be in the squad" but was still working hard to make the starting XI.

"We hope that the diligence he has shown will be rewarded."

Man City ready to grab 'once in a lifetime' treble chance

Manchester City s Spanish manager Pep Guardiola poses with the Premier League trophy after the presentation ceremony following the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on May 21, 2023. Photo: AFP

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Pep Guardiola believes his Manchester City players are ready to take the chance to deliver a historic treble of the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League.

The English champions sealed their third consecutive league title with three games to spare and will face Manchester United in the FA Cup final and Inter Milan in the Champions League decider next month.

Only United's class of 1998/99 have ever previously won the treble in English football.

"Everybody knows what position we are in. It comes once in a lifetime," Guardiola said on Friday.

"Once we are there, first of all you have to relax and enjoy and do your best, but no one can be sure we will be in that position again.

"They are ready. I see many details -- how they come up on days off to make treatments, how many hours they stay to make the treatments, how players are individually concerned maybe they cannot play the FA Cup final and Champions League final.

"When you see that you don't have to tell anything and do anything."

Guardiola's scrupulous attention to detail is often hailed as a key to his success.

But he said some time off after Sunday's final league game away to Brentford is the best preparation for two huge matches.

"When I started, it was 'I have to prepare the final. I have to make a lot of videos'. Now it's completely the opposite," said the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss, who has won 11 league titles in 14 seasons as a coach.

"We need to disconnect. Even our physios and doctors and cooks, they work incredibly hard in this period. They don't have time off. They need to disconnect.

"Go with your families. If the sun is shining, play golf, do whatever you want and (have) quality (rest) to prepare for the finals. Arrive in the best conditions for the finals."

Everton missing Calvert-Lewin for survival mission

File Photo: Everton s Dominic Calvert-Lewin reacts after a failed tackle. Photo: AP

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Everton will be without talismanic striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin as they aim to extend their 69-year stay in the English top flight with victory over Bournemouth on Sunday. 

The England international has suffered a series of injury setbacks over the past two seasons.

But his return in recent weeks had finally given Sean Dyche's men a focal point up front, most notably in a 5-1 win at Brighton that could be the key to Everton's survival.

"We haven't had Dom for two-thirds of my time here. We have still won games, still got points on the board and performed," Dyche said at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

"We realised when he got injured in the first game that it wasn't going to be a short injury. We knew we would have to find a way of working with that. We have found that way and it's important we do that."

Dyche has other injury problems with Nathan Patterson out and Vitalii Mykolenko doubtful, meaning he could have no natural full-backs available.

A win for the Goodison Park club would guarantee their survival regardless of results elsewhere.

Everton also face an uncertain future off the field with the club in takeover talks and Dyche admitted his surprise at reports this week the club may already be looking for his successor.

"It's fair to say 'interesting' reports, but I don't know where they come from," added the former Burnley boss.

"At the end of the day, good businesses should be succession planning. I've got no problem with that, even if that were true."

Guardiola tells Spain to follow Premier League example after Vinicius abuse

Manchester City s head coach Pep Guardiola claps after the English Premier League soccer match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester City at the AMEX stadium in Brighton, England, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Photo: AP

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Pep Guardiola has urged Spanish football to follow the Premier League's example in the fight against racism after the abuse suffered by Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.

Brazil winger Vinicius said Spain now "belongs to racists" after he was abused by fans during Real's game at Valencia in La Liga last week.

It is not the first time Vinicius has been the victim of racism and the latest incident has triggered widespread criticism of Spanish football culture and the way their authorities handle the issue.

Manchester City boss Guardiola believes the Premier League has set an example to the rest of the football world with their "strict" reaction to any outbreaks of racist abuse.

Asked if Spain could learn from the way English football has tackled racism since the dark days of the 1980s, Guardiola said: "They should. Here they are so strict. They know what they have to do."

While the Spanish game has suffered a high number of racist incidents in recent years, Guardiola acknowledges the problem is not just limited to his homeland.

"Of course racism is a problem everywhere, not just in one specific place. Everywhere we have people thinking we are better than our neighbours, we are better than the other ones, for all generations everywhere," he said.

"Not just for gender but for colour, for attitudes. We believe that our language is better than the other one, our country is better than the other one.

"We need to accept the diversity as a strength and still right now, we are far away from that."

As a former Barcelona manager who also played for the Catalan giants for more than a decade, Guardiola fears it will hard to completely erase racism from La Liga.

"Hopefully it can be one step to getting better in Spain but I'm not optimistic. I know a little bit the country and I'm not really optimistic," he said.

"There are a lot of black people stepping forward to defend what they should not have to defend.

"Hopefully justice can help to do it but in the same time is it going to change anything in Spain?"

Premier League title tilt only getting harder for Arsenal: Arteta

Arsenal s manager Mikel Arteta shouts during the English Premier League soccer match between Nottingham Forest and Arsenal at City ground in Nottingham, England, Saturday, May 20, 2023. Photo: AP

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta warned his side will face even stiffer competition next season as they bid to win a first Premier League title since 2004.

The Gunners topped the table for most of this season, but stumbled down the final stretch to allow Manchester City to retain their crown.

On top of the challenge of dethroning City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Saudi-backed Newcastle are aiming to come back stronger next season.

"The competition is going to be even harder next season," said Arteta. "In my opinion it's been the hardest this season in 22 years that I've been in this league.

"In order to (compete) we have a really promising plan. We have to reflect a little bit, take a step back, make sure this is the right one and go again with more determination and hunger in the tummies to do even better."

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the title, Arteta is keen to give the Arsenal fans something to celebrate in their final game of the season against Wolves on Sunday.

Rival fans have ridiculed the lack of atmosphere at the Emirates over many years but the enthusiasm generated by Arteta's young side has brought the stadium to life this season.

Late winners at home to Bournemouth and Manchester United provoked wild scenes of celebration when it seemed a long wait to win the title may be coming to an end.

"(We) received a lot of incredible energy they have given us throughout the season," said Arteta. "We have to wrap it up in the best possible way. It's been some journey, full of emotions.

"Looking with a bit of perspective, there's a lot of things not only on the field that have happened at the club that deserve a lot of credit for a lot of people.

"We have to nail everything that we do, we have to seek excellence in everything that we touch."

Allardyce won't rule out return even if Leeds go down

Leeds United manager Sam Allardyce applauds the fans, after the English Premier League soccer match between West Ham United and Leeds United, at the London Stadium, in London, Sunday May 21, 2023. Photo: AP

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Sam Allardyce has refused to rule out returning as Leeds boss next season even if the Premier League strugglers are relegated after Sunday's "live or die" clash against Tottenham.

Allardyce has been in charge for Leeds' past three matches after replacing the sacked Javi Gracia until the end of the season.

But the former England coach has been unable to stop the Yorkshire club's slide towards the Championship.

Regardless of their result at Elland Road this weekend, Leeds' three-year stay in the Premier League will be over if fourth-bottom Everton beat Bournemouth.

Allardyce's side, second from bottom, are behind Leicester on goal difference and trail Everton by two points.

The former Newcastle, Everton and West Ham boss had been out of football for two years before accepting Leeds' offer to return.

The 68-year-old plans to discuss his future with the Leeds' hierarchy once the season is over.

"That's to be decided at the end. It's always been a case of we will discuss whatever we need to discuss at the end of the season based on where we are," Allardyce said Friday.

"Also based on what I think the club needs to go forward and based on what the club thinks and if that's aligned with each other, then we'll wait and see.

"But that discussion, it doesn't happen in a morning or one day, it happens over a period of time and I just hope that we're talking on a very positive nature on Monday morning and I have a hangover."

Allardyce has collected just one point in his first three games, but he insists the team spirit is better than when he arrived.

"I've loved the mood and loved the application. We're going to live or die on Sunday in terms of the result," he said.

"We trained here at Elland Road for three days building up to the game. Familiarity, it's all about this arena on Sunday with obviously the fantastic atmosphere that will go with it."

Spanish court opens investigation into racist abuse targeting Vinicius

Spectators sit behind a photo of Real Madrid s Vinicius Junior prior to a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Photo: AP

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A Spanish court opened a judicial investigation Friday into an alleged hate crime perpetrated by the three people arrested this week for racially abusing Real Madrid player Vinicius Junior during a game.

inicius, who is Black, was subjected to racist taunts on Sunday in Valencia at Mestalla Stadium, which will have parts of its stands closed for the next five games. The Brazil forward has repeatedly been targeted by similar abuse this season.

The Valencia-based court said in a statement that Vinicius will be asked to give testimony via video-conference at some point.

The judge also asked for the Valencia club to identify the security guards at the game so they could possibly give testimony and to conserve any audiovisual material of the match from the 72nd minute for possible study.

Brentford vow to help banned Toney over 'gambling addiction'

(FILES) Brentford s English striker Ivan Toney reacts after losing at the end of the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on May 6, 2023. Brentford striker Ivan Toney was on May 17, 2023, handed an eight-month ban from all football activity for breaching Football Association rules on betting. Toney was charged by the FA in November for 262 alleged breaches of betting rules over a four-year period. Photo: AFP

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Premier League club Brentford have pledged to help Ivan Toney after an independent commission report revealed the banned England striker has a gambling addiction.

Toney is serving an eight-month suspension after he admitted 232 breaches of the Football Association's betting rules.

The independent regulatory commission imposed the sanctions, which included a £50,000 ($62,000) fine, following a personal hearing.

He is not able to train with Brentford until September 17, with his return to match action set for January next year.

Psychiatrist Philip Hopley attended Toney's personal hearing and diagnosed that the forward has a gambling addiction.

As a result of that verdict, the commission reduced an 11-month sanction by three months in their final ruling.

"The commission finds that a significant reduction should be made to reflect the diagnosed gambling addiction identified by Dr Hopley," the written reasons document, published on Friday, said.

"The lack of control the player has in respect of gambling is clearly a reflection of his diagnosed gambling addiction."

Toney's breaches of FA rules took place over five seasons, from 2017 to 2021 when he played for Newcastle, Peterborough and moved to Brentford in 2020.

The forward placed 13 bets on his own team to lose in seven different matches during the 2017/18 season -- 11 of those bets were against Newcastle when he was out on loan away from the St James' Park club.

Two other bets were placed on a game between Wigan and Aston Villa, but Toney, on loan at Wigan at the time, was not involved in the matchday squad.

The England international also bet on his own team to win 15 different matches and himself to score in nine different matches, the commission found.

But the regulatory commission ruled Toney's case was not one of match-fixing.

"There is no evidence that Mr Toney did or was even in a position to influence his own team to lose when he placed bets against them winning," it said. "He was not in the squad or eligible to play at the time."

Brentford issued a statement saying they were committed to supporting the 27-year-old with his betting problem.

"Ivan and Brentford FC accept that offences were committed, and sanctions were inevitable," the club said.

"The commission noted that none of the charges related to events where Ivan could negatively impact his own team. The detail is included in the written reasons.

"The club will now be doing everything possible to provide support to Ivan and his family to deal with the issues raised in this case."

Toney has scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League games this season and made his debut for England against Ukraine in March.

England manager Gareth Southgate said earlier this week it was important to support the player during his time away from the game.

Real Madrid still without Vinicius for Sevilla trip: Ancelotti

Real Madrid s head coach Carlo Ancelotti, left, gives instructions to Real Madrid s Vinicius Junior during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Valencia and Real Madrid, at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, May 21, 2023. Photo AP

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Vinicius Junior subjected to racial abuse last weekend will miss a second successive match due to a knee problem Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Friday.

The 22-year-old Brazilian winger has received worldwide support since being racially abused by Valencia fans last Sunday.

Vinicius did not play against Rayo Vallecano in Madrid's midweek win because of some knee discomfort, but was present as his team-mates showed him their support by wearing his number 20 shirt before the game.

He has failed to shake off the problem for Saturday's away match with Europa League finalists Sevilla.

"Vinicius will not travel because he will not play, he'd go if he had the chance of playing (but) his knee is still giving him problems," Ancelotti told a news conference Friday.

"It doesn't matter if it's home or away, he can't play. I hope that he can play in the last game."

Vinicius was sent off against Valencia but his ban was later overturned by the Spanish football federation's Competition Committee.

One Sevilla fan group are encouraging supporters to protest against Real Madrid and their president Florentino Perez because of the decision by waving white handkerchiefs at the game.

La Liga president Javier Tebas apologised to Vinicius on Thursday after appearing to criticise him on Twitter for his complaints about the Spanish top flight belonging to "racists".

"I didn't want to criticise Vinicius," Tebas told reporters.

"My frustration was my mistake. I understand that Vinicius is frustrated because he doesn't understand about the division of powers (for dealing with racism), but I'm also frustrated because I do know about it and there were no sanctions."

Ancelotti said Madrid were also without Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio with other injury issues.

Los Blancos are second in the table, a point ahead of city rivals Atletico.

Sevilla, 10th, still have a chance of qualifying for next season's UEFA Conference League, sitting just a point behind Osasuna in seventh.

Klopp optimistic for future despite Liverpool's disappointing season

File photo Liverpool s manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates after winning the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, in London. AP 

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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says he has "lots of reasons" for optimism despite the crushing disappointment of missing out on Champions League qualification.

Manchester United's 4-1 win against Chelsea on Thursday sealed their place in Europe's elite club competition next season alongside champions Manchester City, Arsenal and Newcastle.

Writing on social media after United's victory consigned Liverpool to Europa League football, forward Mohamed Salah said he was "devastated" and there was no excuse for not making the top four.

Klopp, whose team are guaranteed to finish fifth, told his pre-match press conference on Friday he had expected United and Newcastle to get the points they needed this week after Liverpool's 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

It means Liverpool, who narrowly missed out on a historic quadruple last year, have failed to qualify for the competition after featuring for six straight seasons.

"For a long time it was clear this will not be a historically good season," said Klopp.

"I think I said everything about it, that we are absolutely not happy with it, that we made mistakes, that we couldn't deliver, ultimately we weren't consistent enough."

But he said Liverpool's late-season form, including a seven-match winning run in the league, had been impressive.

"If we could have done that over the whole season we would be in a different place," said the German.

"Of course there are reasons for optimistic views because of the things we showed in the last few weeks. That's definitely the case.

"We have other reasons for an optimistic view because of the atmosphere our people created in the last home game.... All these kinds of things are absolutely the basis for a fantastic future so we don't have to make it bigger than it is. It's a football season.

"We didn't deliver what everybody wanted and everybody expected, rightly so, but we are still really united and that's the good thing about it."

Klopp acknowledged Liverpool would take a financial hit as a result of their failure to qualify for the Champions League but said he was still looking forward to next season.

"From a financial point of view that's the only problem really," he said. "That's a big problem in football, I know that. But besides that we have European nights next year.

"Instead of Tuesday, Wednesday, it's a Thursday. Who cares? Great games, atmosphere, we have the chance to do it all.

"The FA Cup will happen again, the League Cup will happen again, so great, we have the chance to do that. Obviously the Premier League is there as well so let's give it a go.

"When everything goes in the right direction it's always easy to feel this togetherness. If it's not going in the right direction it's much more challenging. I didn't want to prove that point but we did and for me that's the trophy we won this year."

PSG's Qatari owners in talks over Sampdoria investment: report

Paris Saint-Germain and Qatar Sports Investments president Nasser al-Khelaifi. Photo AFP

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Qatar Sports Investments, the owners of French champions Paris Saint-Germain, are in negotiations over acquiring a stake in Italian club Sampdoria, a source with knowledge of the matter told AFP on Thursday.

QSI, whose president Nasser al-Khelaifi is also the president of PSG, has owned the French club since 2011, transforming a struggling outfit into one of the most powerful in Europe.

It also owns a 22 percent stake in leading Portuguese side Braga and is hoping to further expand its footballing empire to create a "diverse portfolio", the same source said.

The source said that QSI is hoping to acquire a "minority stake" in Sampdoria, the club from the Mediterranean port city of Genoa who are already condemned to relegation from Serie A with two games of this season remaining.

Sampdoria were one of Italy's leading sides in the 1980s and early 1990s. They won Serie A in 1991 and were European Cup runners-up the following year, losing to Barcelona in the final.

The same source also confirmed that QSI are interested in investing in Brazilian club Santos, the former team of Pele and current PSG star Neymar, as well as Spanish outfit Malaga.

It has become increasingly commonplace in recent years for multiple clubs in different countries to be in the hands of the same owners.

Abu-Dhabi owned Manchester City are the flagship club of the City Football Group, which also owns La Liga side Girona, French club Troyes, Melbourne City and New York City FC, among other teams.

At the same time as expanding its portfolio, QSI is interested in opening up PSG to outside investment and is "examining different offers", according to the same source, who claimed that US fund Arctos Sports Partners is "very enthusiastic about the idea of investing" in the French giants.

Dortmund or Bayern? Bundesliga up for grabs on final day

Bayern s Jamal Musiala, left, challenges for the ball with Leipzig s Konrad Laimer during the German Bundesliga soccer match between FC Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig at the Allianz Arena stadium in Munich, Germany, Saturday, May 20, 2023. AP

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The closest Bundesliga title race for years ends on the final day of the season on Saturday when Borussia Dortmund or Bayern Munich will be crowned champion. 

Dortmund leads by two points and needs to beat Mainz at home to be sure of ending Bayern’s 10-year reign, while Bayern will be hoping for a Dortmund slip-up as it visits Cologne at the same time.

Bayern’s goal difference is better than Dortmund’s so a draw won’t be enough for Dortmund if Bayern beats Cologne.

“We have to win once more. That’s all that counts,” Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl said.

It would be Dortmund’s first German league title since Jürgen Klopp led the “black and yellows” to back-to-back triumphs in 2011 and 2012. Bayern has won every season since.

The fact that the Bavarian powerhouse doesn’t have the title already wrapped up means the season will be considered a failure – even if Mainz does Bayern a favor and causes an upset on Saturday.

Bayern’s total of 68 points is the lowest it’s had at this stage of the season since 2011, when interim coach Andries Jonker led the team to third place after Louis van Gaal was fired.

Bayern also fired its coach this season, when Julian Nagelsmann made way in March because the club felt its targets in the Champions League, German Cup and Bundesliga were in danger.

Bayern was subsequently knocked out of the first two under new coach Thomas Tuchel, but he may yet salvage some lost pride if his former team Dortmund fails to beat Mainz – where he started his senior coaching career.

Dortmund’s 70 points are just one more than it managed last season, when it finished 10 behind Bayern.

The story of the Bundesliga this season is one of Bayern’s decline, rather than any huge leap made by Dortmund – though the team has developed a new resilience under coach Edin Terzić.

“It means everything to him,” Kehl said of what would be Terzić’s first Bundesliga title.

Champions League

Leipzig is assured of third place regardless of its result at home to Schalke, but fourth – the last qualification spot for Europe’s premier competition – is still in contention between Union Berlin and Freiburg.

Both teams are level on points, with Union ahead by four goals’ difference. Union can book its Champions League place with a win at home over Werder Bremen, or by matching Freiburg’s result at Eintracht Frankfurt – provided Freiburg doesn’t score four goals more than Union.

It’s already a remarkable achievement for Union and Freiburg – both clubs of modest resources – to be in this position going into the final round.

Europa League/Europa Conference League

One of Union or Freiburg will finish fifth and qualify for the Europa League.

Sixth-placed Bayer Leverkusen and seventh-placed Wolfsburg hope to join, depending on what happens in the German Cup final on June 3 between Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt.

Because the cup winner gets a European qualification spot, Leverkusen and Wolfsburg will be cheering for Leipzig in the final. If Leipzig successfully defends its title, it will free another Europa League qualification spot (sixth in the Bundesliga), because it has already qualified for the Champions League. If Frankfurt wins, then the sixth-placed finisher goes to the Europa Conference League.

Leverkusen visits Bochum on the final day. Wolfsburg is just a point behind Leverkusen and can be confident of taking three more against already-relegated Hertha Berlin. Frankfurt, three points behind Leverkusen, has only a slim chance of finishing sixth.

Fighting For Survival

Augsburg, Stuttgart, Bochum and Schalke are all still playing for survival on the final day. The bottom two are relegated and the team that finishes above them goes into a two-leg relegation-promotion playoff against the second division’s third-placed finisher to see which plays in the Bundesliga next season.

All of the final round’s matches are played at the same time on Saturday.

Inter retains its Italian Cup title by defeating Fiorentina

Inter striker Lautaro Martinez AFP

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Inter retained the Italian Football Cup competition title for the second year in a row, by defeating Fiorentina 2-1, on Wednesday, at the Stadio Olimpico in the capital, Rome.

Argentine striker Lautaro Martinez imposed himself as a star in the final match by scoring Inter's goals in the 29th and 37th minutes, in response to Fiorentina's goal of progress through the other Argentine, Nicholas Gonzalez, 3 minutes after the start whistle.

Inter, who is preparing for the Champions League final against Manchester City, raised the number of its titles in the competition to nine.

Inter is also equal to Roma as the second most crowned champion after Juventus, who has the record number of victories (14).

Fiorentina was aspiring to win its first title in the Italian Cup since 2001, knowing that it was preparing to compete in the final of the Conference League competition against West Ham, England.

The two teams played the meeting with two different formations from their last confrontations in the local league, as the coaches of the two teams rested their stars in preparation for the cup final. Inter lost to Napoli 1-3 and Fiorentina tied with Turin 1-1.

Fiorentina started the match strongly, stunning its opponent with the goal of advancing through Gonzalez, who hit the net with a shot in the far corner, following an elaborate pass from Giacomo Bonaventura, amid the mad joy of the team's fans (3).

Coach Simone Inzaghi's men responded by taking possession of the ball, despite some outright attacks by Fiorentina, most notably by midfielder Bonaventura, who had a long shot that passed by the goal (19).

Inter almost equalized the score, but Bosnian Edin Dzeko's single shot hit Fiorentina goalkeeper Pietro Terracciano after a pass from Martinez passed over the goal (24).

And Martinez managed, through a low shot in the narrow corner, to equalize, after a wonderful through ball from Croatian Marcelo Brozovic (29).

Inter continued his pressure and gave Martinez Inter the lead with a shot on the fly after a pass from Niccolo Barella (37), in his third goal in the cup this season and his 101st in the “Nerazzurri” shirt.

The second half witnessed unevenness in its course, as Fiorentina started it strongly, with a close convergence in the percentage of possession, as neither team was able to fully impose its rhythm.

Fiorentina made five substitutions in the middle of the second half, with attacking players such as Serbian Luka Jovic, Rolando Mandragora and Ricardo Sotil.

Jovic wasted two chances to equalize in the 79th and 82nd minutes, while his colleague Gonzalez (87) was not successful, to keep Inter ahead.

Tens of thousands of fans prepare to salute Dortmund before facing Mainz

Borussia Dortmund Fans

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Dortmund city police announced that they expect at least two hundred thousand fans to line up on the roadsides to greet Borussia Dortmund players as they head from the club's headquarters to the stadium for the upcoming match against Mainz on Saturday.

And the city's police official stated that they are fully prepared to deal with the huge crowds that will want to encourage the players before the league title-clinching match, inviting them to adhere to civilized behavior.

It is scheduled that the Dortmund players will take a four-hour tour of the city streets after the match, in the event that the team is crowned the Bundesliga title.

Lampard questions wisdom of Premier League sacking culture

Chelsea s head coach Frank Lampard observes during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Chelsea at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, May 21, 2023. Photo AP

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Frank Lampard said on Wednesday that Chelsea have to create a long-term vision for the club if the Blues are to bounce back under new ownership.

Co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali have sacked two managers during a miserable first season in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea will finish with a record low number of points in the Premier League era and in the bottom half of the table for the first time since 1996.

Lampard was part of a hugely successful era for the club as a player despite the hire-and-fire culture under Roman Abramovich.

But the interim Chelsea boss believes more stability is needed with Mauricio Pochettino expected to be confirmed as the club's new manager for next season.

In total 11 Premier League clubs have changed manager this season, with Chelsea, along with relegated Southampton and second-bottom Leeds, one of three to fire two coaches.

"You wonder how successful always it is to change those things," said Lampard ahead of Thursday's trip to Manchester United.

"It's clear it's become that kind of a job and a situation and there are many teams that are fighting with expectations that might not be exactly stable.

"We're in a very reactionary world anyway. In years gone by the reaction to one, two, three defeats might have been different.

"Now we have this explosion very quickly and you just have to understand it when you're doing this job."

Chelsea have lost seven of Lampard's nine games in charge since returning to the club in April and sit 12th in the table.

Rodrygo raises fist in Vinicius tribute as Madrid beat Rayo

Real Madrid s Rodrygo gestures after a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Photo AP

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Rodrygo struck a late winner for Real Madrid in a 2-1 La Liga victory over Rayo Vallecano and raised his fist into the air in a nod to team-mate Vinicius Junior.

Brazilian winger Vinicius received racist abuse against Valencia on Sunday, but was watching on from the president's box because of a knee problem.

Rodrygo struck in the 89th minute to send Madrid second and bowed his head while lifting his fist in a "Black Power" salute.

Karim Benzema sent Madrid into the lead in the first half before Raul de Tomas equalised for the visitors at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Rodrygo deciding the game in the final stages.

Vinicius was not present on the pitch but was not far from the players' thoughts, as Madrid lined up before the game wearing his number 20 shirt as a gesture of support.

The forward was sent off against Valencia and although the card was revoked on Tuesday night, he was not able to recover from his knee issue to play.

Supporters chanted his name after 20 minutes and a banner in one stand read "We are all Vinicius, enough already!"

"I think everyone in football, not just in football, in all of sport, the whole world, (is reacting to) these actions, they should not be allowed," Madrid defender Dani Carvajal told Movistar after the game.

"We have to all improve, try to make this not happen, because in the end it's not fair."

Benzema broke the deadlock by taking the ball around the goalkeeper after Fede Valverde played him through.

Madrid created few further notable chances in a drab performance, with Carlo Ancelotti's side without a clear goal in the final weeks of the season.

Rayo struck back through De Tomas, and the former Real Madrid youth player did not celebrate his goal.

Rodrygo ensured Madrid had the last laugh and brought Vinicius back into focus with his celebration.

Elsewhere Villarreal kept their slim Champions League qualifying hopes alive with a 2-0 win over struggling Cadiz, closing the gap on Real Sociedad to five points.

Later Wednesday relegation-battling Espanyol host Atletico Madrid, who can overtake their city rivals and return to second.

'Good' first season at Man Utd not enough for Ten Hag

Manchester United s Dutch manager Erik ten Hag (C) gestures during the English Premier League football match between Bournemouth and Manchester United at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, southern England on May 20, 2023. Photo AFP

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Erik ten Hag said Manchester United must strive for more even though his team look set to clinch a place in next season's Champions League.

United need just one point from their final two Premier League games against Chelsea and Fulham to secure a top-four finish after a season out of Europe's elite club competition.

Ten Hag also ended the club's six-year wait for a trophy in his first season in charge by lifting the League Cup in February.

The Dutchman could even end his debut campaign in England with two trophies as United face local rivals Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

But Ten Hag insisted the Red Devils' targets must be even higher next season as they seek to rekindle former glories.

"We are in a project, we want to go back and win trophies," Ten Hag said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Chelsea's visit to Old Trafford on Thursday.

"We win one trophy but we want more trophies, (to) compete with the best. We are still in a journey, we think we are in the right direction but it can always be better because good is not good enough."

United's goal-shy attack has missed the firepower of Marcus Rashford for the past two games, but the England international is likely to return against Chelsea.

The team have been over-reliant on Rashford this season -- he has scored 29 goals in all competitions, with Bruno Fernandes (11) the only other United player to reach double figures.

"Yesterday, he returned to training," said Ten Hag, referring to Rashford's fitness after he missed Saturday's 1-0 win at Bournemouth due to illness.

"He looks quite fit but we have to see today what is the outcome of the training, how did he recover and then we will make our choices."

Dortmund veteran Hummels extends deal to 2024

(FILES) Dortmund s German defender Mats Hummels reacts after the German first division Bundesliga football match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Cologne in Dortmund on March 18, 2023. Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has extended his deal by one year until the summer of 2024, the club announced On May 24, 2023. Photo AFP

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Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels has extended his deal by one year until the summer of 2024, the club announced Wednesday.

The extension means Hummels, 34, one of Dortmund's three captains alongside Marco Reus and English teenager Jude Bellingham, will play a 14th season with the club.

"I didn't take the decision lightly," the 2014 World Cup winner said in a statement.

"It was a long deliberation process but now, at the end of the season, I can say that I'm really in the mood for another year."

Dortmund are currently two points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga table, with one game to play.

Dortmund face Mainz at home on Saturday and can guarantee their first league title in a decade with a win.

"From now on my focus is on the game against Mainz on Saturday. We still have 90 intense minutes ahead of us. After that, we hope to celebrate something big together."

Hummels came through the junior divisions at Bayern and was loaned to Dortmund in January of 2008, signing for the latter club in 2009.

He stayed with Dortmund until 2016, moving to Bayern for three seasons, before returning in 2019.

"Hummels is staying at Dortmund for another year. He identifies very much with our club. Dortmund and Mats simply belong together" said the club's chief executive officer Hans-Joachim Watzke.

Hummels won two Bundesliga titles and two German Cups with Dortmund, as well as playing in the all-German 2013 Champions League final, which his side lost 2-1 to Bayern.

Alongside Jerome Boateng, he was a crucial member of Germany's defence in their 2014 World Cup win in Brazil.

The defender has not played for Germany since the last 16 loss to England at Euro 2021, with coach Hansi Flick leaving him out of the squad which travelled to Qatar in 2022.

The Premier League announces the dates for the two transfer periods

English Premier League Logo

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On Wednesday, the English Premier League announced the dates for the two transfer periods, in summer 2023 and winter 2024.

And the English Premier League stated in a statement that the summer transfer period will start on Wednesday 14 June and close on the evening of Friday 1 September.

While the winter transfer period begins on Monday, January 1, 2024, and closes on the evening of Thursday, February 1, 2024.

The statement indicated that the dates came to ensure coordination with the major tournaments in Europe.

As the transfer periods close on September 1 and February 1, in the Italian, German, Spanish and French leagues.

And the 2023-2024 season of the English Premier League begins on Saturday, August 12, 2023.

The season concludes on Sunday, May 19, 2024.

And the English Premier League season schedule returns to its normal schedule, which was affected in the last three seasons due to the Corona virus pandemic and the establishment of the 2022 World Cup in the middle of the season.

Southgate says Toney ban not how rehabilitation works

England manager Gareth Southgate during a press conference at Wembley Stadium, London, as he names his squad for next month s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia, Wednesday May 24, 2023. AP

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England manager Gareth Southgate took aim on Wednesday at an eight-month ban from all football-related activity for Brentford striker Ivan Toney for breaches of betting rules. 

Toney was capped by Southgate for the first time in March, while betting charges were hanging over the 27-year-old.

He will not even be allowed to train with his teammates until the halfway point of his ban is up in September.

An independent regulatory commission imposed the sanctions after Toney admitted to 232 breaches of gambling on football.

Players are banned from betting even on matches they are not involved in.

"I have spoken with him. I don’t know if that’s allowed, by the way. If it isn’t then they can ban me and not add to his," said Southgate as he announced his squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia next month.

"Look, the ban is the ban. It is what it is. I think he recognised and accepted the punishment. What bothers me is we’ve got to look after people.

"He’s injured at the moment, what does he do about getting fit? How do we give him some structure over the next few months that he can develop himself or be a better person at the end of it or have experiences that he might not experience?

"I don’t like the idea that we just leave somebody so they are not allowed to be a part of the football community.

"I don’t think that’s how we should work, I don’t think that’s how the best rehabilitation programmes would work."

Sterling struggles

Raheem Sterling was the big-name omission from Southgate's squad as he revealed the Chelsea winger does not feel fully fit.

Sterling, who has won 82 caps, has endured a difficult first season since joining the Blues from Manchester City.

"He's not happy physically with his condition, having been carrying a hamstring problem. He really wasn't in consideration," added Southgate.

"We didn't get to the point of whether he should be in or out. He doesn't think he is operating at the level he needs."

Crystal Palace's Eberechi Eze received his first call-up, while Brighton captain Lewis Dunk is rewarded for his fine season with a return to the squad for the first time in four-and-a-half years.

Eze's performances have caught the eye, with six goals in eight games under Roy Hodgson, who returned to Selhurst Park as coach in March.

"We have liked him for a long time. I think he has finished the season really strongly," said Southgate on Eze.

"He is a goal threat, he's got nice ability and speed to go past people and can take people out of the game with his dribbling skills. We are looking forward to seeing him a bit closer."

England are well on course to qualify for Euro 2024 in Germany after beating Italy and Ukraine in their opening Group C fixtures.

The Three Lions travel to Malta on June 16 before hosting North Macedonia at Old Trafford three days later.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal), Sam Johnstone (Crystal Palace)

Defenders: Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw (both Manchester United), John Stones, Kyle Walker (both Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Marc Guehi (Crystal Palace), Lewis Dunk (Brighton), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa)

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund/GER), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea), Declan Rice (West Ham), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace)

Forwards: Phil Foden, Jack Grealish (both Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United), James Maddison (Leicester), Callum Wilson (Newcastle)