Sports
Mané scores as Bayern Munich beat RB Leipzig for German Super Cup
Sadio Mané scored on his competitive debut for new-look Bayern Munich as they overcame RB Leipzig 5-3 in thrilling fashion on Saturday to lift the German Super Cup.
Germany teenager Jamal Musiala rifled Bayern Munich ahead after RB Leipzig had failed to clear a corner-kick after 14 minutes.
Ex-Liverpool forward Mané then tapped in on the half hour from Serge Gnabry’s pass as the Bavarians quickly got used to life without new FC Barcelona signing Robert Lewandowski.
Benjamin Pavard made it three before the interval.
The season curtain-raiser between last term’s Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and the German Cup winners was held in Leipzig.
But the hosts did little to threaten the visitors until Marcel Halstenberg’s second-half header.
Gnabry and Christopher Nkunku then traded goals before Dani Olmo’s late strike for RB Leipzig made things interesting, only for Leroy Sané to score at the death.
“I’m really, really happy to win my first trophy with Bayern Munich. “I’m looking forward to more trophies,” Mané said later on.
Bayern Munich coach Julian Nagelsmann, formerly at RB Leipzig, started Senegal’s African Player of the Year while other new signings such as Matthijs de Ligt began on the bench.
RB Leipzig’s Domenico Tedesco meanwhile included Austria midfielder Konrad Laimer, heavily linked with a move to Bayern Munich.
But left-back Angelino was missing as he looks for another club with Hoffenheim’s David Raum set to arrive.
After a minute’s silence and applause for late Germany great Uwe Seeler, the first excitement came when Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer raced out of his box.
But he failed to clear the ball, only for his defenders to mop up for him.
Bayern Munich then took the lead but it was more to do with RB Leipzig’s casual defending than anything.
After some pinball in the box, 19-year-old Musiala pounced and made no mistake.
A lot is expected of midfielder Musiala this season —- with Bayern Munich set to play without an out-and-out striker —- and he passed his audition with aplomb.
RB Leipzig, linked in the media with former Borussia Mönchengladbach sporting director Max Eberl, thought they had soon levelled.
READ ALSO: Toyota unveils sports car concept in bid to recapture Supra sizzle
But Nkunku —- Bundesliga Player of the Season last term —- was rightly flagged offside.
Mané then made the headlines, even though in truth it was one of the easiest goals he will ever score, with two more efforts later on chalked off for offside.
Musiala took centre stage again by setting up Pavard on the stroke of half-time.
But RB Leipzig’s defending was again loose following the departure of Nordi Mukiele to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Substitute Andre Silva struck the bar for RB Leipzig after the break and Halstenberg went one better with his own header from a corner-kick.
But any hopes of a comeback were quickly ended by Gnabry smashing into the roof of the net.
Nkunku’s 77th-minute penalty kick and Olmo’s fine finish came too late for the Red Bulls as Bayern Munich’s defence suddenly wilted, before Sané had the last laugh on the break.
“In the first half they simply showed their strength. They were coming from everywhere, left and right,” said RB Leipzig’s Tedesco.
“We’ve got to improve and bring the lads to a good level.”
The game clashed with the first round of the German Cup, meaning that RB Leipzig and Bayern Munich take on Ottensen and Viktoria Cologne at the end of August.
Bayern Munich kick off the Bundesliga campaign at Eintracht Frankfurt on Friday.
Sports
Chelsea Handed Injury Boost As Omari Kellyman Nears Return
Chelsea are set to receive a welcome boost with Omari Kellyman nearing a return to action after a frustrating start to his Stamford Bridge career.
The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined the Blues from Aston Villa in a £19 million summer transfer, has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since September.
Kellyman initially made an impression with Chelsea’s Under-21s, scoring twice in three appearances, including during a 4-2 defeat to Leipzig in the Premier League International Cup. However, his progress was halted by the injury, which has kept him out of action for months.
READ MORE: Chelsea Desires Permanent Deal For João Félix After Collapse Of Omorodion Deal
According to reports from the Daily Mail, Kellyman is now on track to return within the next four weeks, offering Chelsea a much-needed boost as the team looks to navigate a congested festive fixture schedule. The teenager is expected to be fit before Christmas and could soon make his senior debut for the club.
Reflecting on his move to Chelsea earlier this year, Kellyman expressed his excitement about joining the West London outfit. “It is fantastic to be standing here as a Chelsea player. It’s a massive club with an amazing history, so it is great to join. It is a dream come true for sure. I’m buzzing to have put on the shirt and can’t wait to get started,” he said.
Kellyman’s footballing journey began at Derby County, where he progressed through the youth ranks and was promoted to the first-team squad by Wayne Rooney at just 16 years old.
After leaving Derby for Aston Villa in 2022, he signed his first professional contract and made his Premier League debut last season against Manchester City.
Despite his brief stint at Villa, which included a Europa Conference League appearance, Kellyman made the high-profile move to Chelsea in June, signing a six-year contract.
Now, as he edges closer to full fitness, both the player and the club will hope his long-awaited debut signals the start of a successful tenure at Stamford Bridge.
Sports
Chelsea Holds Scouting Summit With Enzo Maresca
Earlier this month, Chelsea Football Club convened a comprehensive meeting of their first-team recruitment team, aimed at aligning their efforts with the club’s overarching vision.
This scouting summit brought together approximately 30 of the club’s key talent identifiers, with the objective of reinvigorating the search for future stars in world football.
Adding an extra layer of inspiration to the gathering, Leicester City manager and former Manchester City assistant, Enzo Maresca, made a guest appearance. Maresca, who briefly worked alongside some of Chelsea’s current personnel during his time under Pep Guardiola, took time to pose for a group photograph with the team. Those present reportedly left the summit feeling “enthused, energised, and as motivated as ever” to uncover the next generation of footballing gems.
READ MORE: Osimhen Casts Doubts Over Touted Winter Move To Chelsea
The Italian tactician has maintained an interest in Chelsea’s squad and their emerging talents. A source close to Maresca suggested that he harbours a keen desire to see Cole Palmer, one of Chelsea’s brightest young signings, team up with Joao Felix, the Portuguese forward who enjoyed a brief but impactful loan spell at Stamford Bridge last season.
While Palmer continues to thrive at Chelsea following his summer move from Manchester City, Felix’s future remains uncertain, with speculation persisting about whether the Blues could revisit a permanent deal for the Atlético Madrid star.
Chelsea’s recruitment team will undoubtedly keep such possibilities in mind as they look to execute their shared vision, leveraging the energy from this summit to identify players capable of complementing the club’s long-term strategy. With Maresca’s words and presence leaving a lasting impression, the search for the world’s finest footballing gems continues in earnest.
Sports
Lukeba’s €90m Clause Attracts Real Madrid, PL Clubs
RB Leipzig defender Castello Lukeba has become a hot topic in the transfer market following details about his new contract.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Lukeba’s release clause will come into effect in the summer of 2025, starting at around €90 million and varying from season to season.
This development has drawn the attention of football giants, with Real Madrid reportedly keeping a close watch on the French centre-back’s progress. Premier League clubs are also monitoring Lukeba as a potential defensive reinforcement for 2025.
READ MORE: Wizkid Breaks Spotify Records With ‘Kese (Dance)’ Release
The 20-year-old, who joined Leipzig from Olympique Lyonnais in 2023, has already made an impression in the Bundesliga with his composed defensive skills and tactical versatility. His rising profile has placed him among Europe’s most promising young defenders, making him a coveted target for top clubs.
Leipzig’s decision to include a fluctuating release clause highlights their commitment to protecting Lukeba’s value while leaving the door open for a future big-money move.
With Real Madrid and several Premier League sides in the mix, the 2025 summer transfer window is already shaping up to be a pivotal moment in Lukeba’s career. Fans and scouts alike will be closely watching his development as he continues to shine in Leipzig’s backline.