U.S. international Malik Tillman capped a sweeping Bayer Leverkusen move in the 33rd minute at Volkswagen Arena, racing onto a threaded pass before holding off a defender and finishing calmly past the goalkeeper. The well-taken strike – his third of the 2025–26 Bundesliga season – completed a scintillating team sequence that began deep in Leverkusen’s half. Die Werkself won 3–1.
Getty Images Sport
Matching history
Tillman also assisted the opener and is the first U.S. player to record a goal and an assist in a Bundesliga match since Jordan Pefok in August 2022.
Advertisement
Other Americans to match the feat
Here are some other Americans who accomplished the feat in Bundesliga play:
Player
Club
Opponent
Scoreline
Date
Notes
Timothy Chandler
1. FC Nürnberg
VfB Stuttgart
1. FC Nürnberg 4-1 VfB Stuttgart
Feb. 12, 2011
Scored and assisted in Nürnberg’s 4-1 win.
Christian Pulisic
Borussia Dortmund
Bayer Leverkusen
Borussia Dortmund 6-2 Bayer Leverkusen
March 4, 2017
Registered a goal and an assist after coming off the bench.
Matthew Hoppe
Schalke 04
Eintracht Frankfurt
Schalke 04 4-3 Eintracht Frankfurt
May 15, 2021
Added a goal and an assist in Schalke’s 4-3 win.
Jordan Pefok
Union Berlin
RB Leipzig
Union Berlin 2-1 RB Leipzig
Aug. 20, 2022
Scored and assisted in Union’s victory.
Getty
Tillman’s season form
Tillman has had an inconsistent start to the Bundesliga season, in part due to managerial changes at Leverkusen and injury. Saturday's performance showcased why the team invested $46.1 million in him.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFP
Goal strengthens Leverkusen's position
With this commanding first-half performance against Wolfsburg, Leverkusen continued their strong recent form that included a 6-0 demolition of Heidenheim in their previous Bundesliga outing. They currently sit in third place on the Bundesliga table, behind league leaders Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, and will face the latter side next on Nov. 28.
Highly rated Anderlecht midfielder Nathan de Cat has been urged to steer clear of a Premier League move despite rising interest from Tottenham, Aston Villa and Brighton. With Europe’s elite monitoring the 17-year-old, analyst Marc Degryse believes the starlet must develop in Germany before taking the leap to England, warning that an early step to the Premier League could stunt his long-term rise.
De Cat invites interest from Tottenham and others
De Cat’s breakout season at Anderlecht has sparked significant interest from Premier League sides, particularly Tottenham, who are reportedly pushing hard to sign the 17-year-old in January. The midfielder has become a key figure domestically, impressing with his maturity, defensive intelligence and control of possession, which has led to speculation that a major move could arrive sooner than expected. Despite this attention, close observers in Belgium insist the timing and destination of his next step will be crucial to his long-term development.
At present, Anderlecht are believed to be open to a transfer if a substantial offer arrives, even though their official stance remains that he is tied to the club until 2027. Interest is not limited to England, as Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are also monitoring De Cat and could rival Premier League clubs for his signature.
The January window is expected to prompt formal negotiations, particularly as Tottenham sporting director Johan Lange is pushing aggressively to strengthen Thomas Frank’s squad. However, those close to Belgian football warn that the Premier League poses a major risk for a teenager still adjusting to senior-level rhythms and responsibilities.
Advertisement
AFP
Dutch analyst advises De Cat to avoid PL move
Degryse advised strongly against a Premier League switch, insisting the youngster must take a more gradual pathway into elite football. “If I were De Cat, I’d go to Germany first before moving to the Premier League,” he told Voetbal Primeur. “You shouldn’t immediately want to go to Manchester City; first, go to a major league, be a real pillar there for a few seasons, and if you then want to take the step to the real top at 22 or 23, you’ll be much better protected.”
Degryse stressed that the Bundesliga provides a safer, more development-driven environment for young midfielders than the tactical and physical intensity of the Premier League. “First, go to a major league, be a real pillar there for a few seasons,” he reiterated when discussing how Germany has historically shaped elite talent.
He also highlighted that admiration from clubs like Tottenham or Aston Villa should not alter the midfielder’s priorities. “You’ll be much better protected,” he argued, pointing to the structural differences between leagues and the unique growing pains facing young players entering English football too early.
De Cat's rise with Anderlecht raises interest
De Cat’s rise has been one of Belgium’s most compelling storylines, with analysts calling him a blend of Leander Dendoncker’s defensive awareness and Youri Tielemans’ technical polish. Frank Boeckx has gone as far as suggesting “there’s even more Tielemans in him than is currently coming out,” highlighting his potential to evolve into a complete deep-lying playmaker.
Beyond Belgium, De Cat’s profile has grown substantially due to links with elite European clubs, each offering different developmental pathways. Tottenham view him as a long-term investment, Brighton see him as a potential successor to their successful midfield production line and Aston Villa continue searching for young talent to future-proof their squad.
With Anderlecht reportedly valuing him around €25–30 million (£22-26m), his potential sale could become one of the biggest in the club’s history. Scouts across Europe already regard him as one of the continent’s next great midfield organisers, possessing a calmness and reading of the game that belies his youth.
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
Getty Images Sport
Tottenham likely to make move in January
The January transfer window will determine whether Anderlecht play hardball or entertain offers that meet their valuation, particularly as Tottenham and Aston Villa prepare formal approaches. De Cat will need to weigh the benefits of immediate Premier League exposure against the developmental structure offered by Germany’s top clubs, whose track record with nurturing young midfielders is far stronger. With his advisors and Anderlecht aligned on protecting his long-term progression, the next move may define not just the trajectory of his career but his ability to fulfil his immense potential.
Tottenham Hotspur’s unbeaten run in the Champions League came to an abrupt end last night, with holders PSG securing a huge 5-3 triumph in Paris.
The Lilywhites twice took the lead at the Parc des Princes, but Thomas Frank’s men were unable to hold and secure yet another victory in Europe’s biggest competition.
Vitinha’s hat-trick was enough to get Luis Enrique’s men across the line on home soil, leaving Frank with huge work to do to get his squad out of their current losing spree.
Goals from Kolo Muani and Richarlison weren’t enough to get the Lilywhites all three points, but it certainly does give the manager something to build on in the final third.
However, the same can’t be said for numerous members of the first-team squad, with various starters unable to take full advantage of the chances handed their way.
Spurs’ poor performers against PSG last night
After questions were asked about the midfield department following the defeat against Arsenal, Frank decided to once again change shape and hand Pape Sarr a start in central midfield.
Many were crying out for the Senegalese international to return to the starting eleven, but ultimately, he was unable to take advantage of his opportunity.
He was arguably at fault for PSG’s third effort, with the 23-year-old robbed of possession in his own defensive third before Fabian Ruiz fired home for the hosts.
The youngster wasn’t alone in failing to deliver, with full-back Djed Spence once again unable to pounce on his starting role on the left-hand side of the back four.
The Englishman failed to complete any of his attempted dribbles or crosses, subsequently highlighting the lack of contribution he made when in transition.
However, without the ball, the 25-year-old was just as lacklustre, as seen by his measly tally of just 33% ground duels won whilst also being dribbled past on one occasion.
The Spurs star who had his worst game for the club v PSG
After Kolo Muani put Spurs ahead for the second time at the Parc des Princes last night, there was a belief within the Spurs faithful that the club could pull off a famous European result.
However, in true Lilywhites fashion, as of late, they were unable to sustain such a scoreline, with the collapse in the last half an hour no doubt frustrating manager Frank.
Certain players can absolutely leave such a defeat with credit and with their heads held high, with the aforementioned Kolo Muani undoubtedly having his best game for the club.
Other players, like Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray also impressed at the heart of the side, with the pair the beneficiaries of the manager’s selection roulette.
The same can’t be said for numerous players, with Cristian Romero undoubtedly one that springs to mind when focusing on players who failed to deliver in Paris.
The Argentine, who’s the Lilywhites captain, endured a torrid evening against the reigning European champions, which no doubt contributed to the loss last night.
He featured for the entirety of the contest, but not without struggle, with the centre-back needing to share some of the blame for Sarr’s mistake with his poorly timed pass into the midfielder.
Romero was also adjudged to have handled Vitinha’s effort late on, which led to the Portuguese international stepping up from the penalty spot to complete his first senior hat-trick.
His underlying stats further showcase his lack of impact, with the defender committing two further fouls and being dribbled past on two separate occasions.
Minutes played
90
Touches
37
Passes completed
22
Possession lost
6x
Duels lost
50%
Fouls committed
3
Penalties conceded
1
Dribbled past
2x
Other numbers, such as six times possession lost and 50% duels lost, further highlight his lack of impact and why it was perhaps his worst display in a Spurs shirt yet.
To top off his dismal night in Paris, Romero was handed a measly 3/10 match rating by Football London journalist Alasdair Gold, reaffirming how disappointing he was against the Frenchmen.
After such a showing, Frank will no doubt be questioning his starting role, with flashes of the Argentine’s rash nature rearing their head during the defeat.
However, the player will be hoping he’s still selected at the weekend to try and make amends and lead the club to a needed win the Premier League against Fulham.
New Kane & Son: Paratici plotting to sign two mega-money forwards for Spurs
Tottenham Hotspur appear to be making huge strides in completeing a deal for a new deadly partnership.
England’s incumbent has been given the backing of his captain for now, but he knows he needs to produce
Vithushan Ehantharajah19-Jun-2025Ollie Pope’s journey as an England cricketer began against India in 2018. Seven years on, as he prepares to lock horns with them once more, we might finally be about to find out what he’s about.There’s an important differentiation. Because after 56 Tests, all we know of Pope is what he does. A bit of everything, really. Some bits he’s done before, others he has not. He’s become English cricket’s own handyman. And a damn good one.That debut at Lord’s came at No.4, despite having made his case at No.6 for Surrey. The selectors saw a 20-year-old wunderkind and sought to let him loose. His first walk out to the middle in England creams was also the first time he had gone into bat in the first 20 overs of an innings.He is by no means a full-time wicketkeeper, yet he donned the gloves in Pakistan in 2022 and New Zealand in 2024 to help the team out of issues of illness and injury. He has deputised for Ben Stokes as captain on four occasions and won three.His recent active, altruistic service has included three years (and counting?) at No.3, smoothing over a problem position by being the responsible one when, deep down, he’d much rather hang with the rest of the dashers in the middle order. And it is this reason that even external talk of jeopardy around Pope’s position, ultimately triggered by the internal temptation to throw the latest wunderkind, Jacob Bethell, into the mix, had Stokes on the front foot a day out from Headingley’s series opener.”It would be remarkable to choose someone else if their last knock was a one-seventy (171),” Stokes said, thrusting Pope’s last knock against Zimbabwe like a shiv, in response to a question on whether there was a decision to be made at first drop. “And that’s pretty much all I need to say on that.”Ollie Pope received his Test cap from Alec Stewart at Lord’s in 2018•Getty ImagesStokes’ admiration for Pope developed before his tenure as captain. He has always rated him, and took him under his wing during the 2021-22 Ashes when Pope was in a rough patch of form. Stokes even negotiated with then-captain Joe Root to fix Pope at No.5 for the third Test of that Australia tour, with Stokes volunteering to move up to four. He went as far as telling Pope the plan had been agreed, only for the management to drop Pope for the next two Tests.Pope was also the first Bazball “project player” – the first raw talent hot-housed in the greenhouse of good times. As newly appointed managing director Rob Key explained in May 2022, Pope’s placement at No.3 came in a bid to “unlock him”. You could argue they’ve done that – an average of 28.66 across 40 innings leading into that summer has been followed by 39.80 (and seven centuries) in the next 58 knocks.Pope’s specific No.3 average is 43.06, though this figure includes the 205 he made against Ireland in 2023, as well as the recent Zimbabwe 171. Without those knocks, his average slips to 36.62, which puts us back in the zone of yearning for a little more, as do his averages of 24.60 and 15.70 against India and Australia respectively. And so the allure of Bethell’s remarkable talent and unblemished (almost empty) record comes back into the frame.There’s an argument to say Stokes and Brendon McCullum have played it safe behind closed doors. For all Stokes’ bolshiness in his press conference, picking Bethell would sit neatly alongside the various calls over the last six months – the selections of Shoaib Bashir and Jamie Smith at the expense of Jack Leach, Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes. Even McCullum left last year’s New Zealand tour admitting a serious decision needed to be made after Bethell’s impressive showing. Well, the decision has been made and, surprisingly, it is a safe one.Perhaps that reflects the life cycle of this team. An initial period of wild, enthralling adolescence, followed by the familiar lurch into conservatism with age. A group of one-time free-spirited vibe mongers are now, on the eve of a five-match series against India that leads into a winter Ashes, considering things like “consequences”.Related
Rules of three: how England have dealt with a most thorny batting position
Pant relishes 'senior' tag but also focuses on 'individual' game
Gill says India will go all out to take 20 wickets: 'You could maybe see four proper bowlers'
Pope confirmed as England's No. 3 for first Test against India
India begin Gill era with an eye on England's weakened bowling
Ironically, Pope’s life under Baz and Ben has almost entirely been about dealing with the consequences of his various roles, or at least minimizing the fallout that they caused. When Stokes took the job and spoke of wanting to be flanked by 10 selfless cricketers, Pope stood tallest. It is no coincidence Stokes chose him as his deputy.And look where that got him? Under-appreciated and under pressure. Had he not put team balance first and assumed the gloves in New Zealand, Bethell would not have got the opportunity to strum 260 compelling runs. This conversation would not be happening, and Pope could be looking ahead to the 10 legacy-defining Test matches to come. Now, even this first one feels tetchy.Of course, Pope still has a say here. He might not have had it in him to say, “you know what Jacob, settle down, I’m at 3” six months ago. But here and now, as the man in possession, he can make a statement.Does he have it in him? Maybe, you know. It is clear Pope’s patience for the discussion around his position has, naturally, diminished. He appreciates this is the lot of an international sports star, but there is a growing annoyance – and it’s spilling into anger – at the lack of respect given to his name and what he has done for this team.Rather than ignore it, he could do with harnessing some of that negative energy. One of England’s most selfless cricketers needs to be a lot more selfish, and seek the “I’m him” glory that came with that incredible 196 in Hyderabad.Even the babiest of baby faces need a heel-turn once in a while. Now is the time for his. With his Test future still in the balance, he should remember there’s a “me” in team, and an “I” in Ollie Pope.
Liverpool made sweeping changes in the summer transfer window, going where no team had gone before in spending more than £400m in a single transfer window.
A multitude of sales meant the total net spend fell behind Premier League leaders Arsenal, but the scale of Liverpool’s transformation cannot be understated, with FSG breaking the British transfer record twice.
First, Florian Wirtz arrived from Bayer Leverkusen for £116m, and the world-class playmaker has been one of the most worrying parts of Arne Slot’s side’s struggles this season, yet to score or assist in the top flight.
Alexander Isak has been a concern too, signing on deadline day for £125m. The former Newcastle United striker was called “the best striker in the Premier League” by Sky Sports’ Jamie Carragher last year, but injuries and a struggle to click under Slot’s wing have left him with one goal and one assist across all competitions so far.
These players have to come good. Surely they will. These are two of the world’s finest, after all. However, the blunder of the Darwin Nunez deal serves as a cautionary tale that FSG perhaps haven’t heeded.
Why Liverpool sold Darwin Nunez
Nunez is one of the biggest and most frustrating enigmas of recent times at Liverpool. A maverick of a forward, the 25-year-old was horribly inconsistent across his three years at the club, only scoring 25 Premier League goals in total and missing so many more golden opportunities.
Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez
Given that he signed from Benfica for what would have been a club-record £85m fee (not reached due to clauses being left unmet), Nunez can only be considered a flop of a signing, never able to string together the prolificness needed to lead the line at Liverpool.
The likes of Wirtz and Isak will be worried that they face assuming similar reputations, no doubt, although both have arrived at Liverpool from a higher station than Nunez, who was sold to Al-Hilal this summer.
In any case, Nunez will be remembered fondly for his efforts and, for the most part, tenacity in a Liverpool shirt, but it’s clear that had Liverpool’s fortunes been bleaker across his years at the club, he would have faced more scathing rebuke.
And that might be the case for one new Redman. This player arrived this summer for a hefty fee and looks utterly lost in Slot’s system. In this, he is in danger of falling into a similar category.
The Liverpool star in danger of becoming Nunez 2.0
Signed from Bournemouth this summer for a £45m fee, Kerkez arrived at Liverpool with a weight of expectation and a reputation as one of the most exciting young left-backs in the world.
He was breathtaking in Andoni Iraola’s team last year, but Kerkez has fallen by the wayside across the opening months of his move to Merseyside.
AFC Bournemouth's MilosKerkez
Kerkez’s transfer fee might come in at less than half of that of someone like Nunez, but this is still a pretty penny for a full-back, and he faces a plummet into similar territory as the Uruguayan if he fails to hit a consistent vein of form.
There’s no question that this young man has what it takes to thrive at Liverpool; he was included in the 2024/25 PFA Team of the Year, after all.
However, Kerkez has really struggled across these opening months in Liverpool, a shadow of that south coast star.
Erratic and at odds with the tactical role that has been provided for him, the 22-year-old has lost his place in the starting line-up in recent weeks, unable to effectively add to the build-up.
Last season, Kerkez ranked among the top 12% of Premier League full-backs for progressive carries per 90 (2.86), but this has been reduced under Slot’s wing, ranking among the bottom 36% this year, with a 1.55 average (data courtesy of FBref).
But the wider shift of Kerkez’s tactical role is more clearly understood when looking at the wider scope of his malaise since that big-money transfer to Liverpool.
Matches (starts)
38 (38)
10 (9)
Goals
2
1
Assists
5
0
Touches*
59.6
50.8
Accurate passes*
28.6 (80%)
27.5 (86%)
Chances created*
1.0
0.5
Dribble (success)*
0.6
0.3
Recoveries*
4.7
2.7
Tackles + interceptions*
2.6
1.6
Clearances*
2.6
3.4
Duels won*
4.0 (54%)
3.7 (61%)
Errors made
4x
2x
The £75k-per-week talent is no longer making those overlapping runs into the box, and neither has he found fluency and balance in his creativity this season. Given that he has been branded a “nervous wreck” by pundit Jamie Redknapp, it’s hard to see what he is offering his new club at this present moment, and that is why he has been benched for the Reds’ past two matches in both the Premier League and the Champions League.
Of course, it is far too early to write Kerkez off, and this argument has been formed to underline the need for improvements on Kerkez’s part, but also with the hope for patience. This is a young and talented left-back who is struggling to perform in a system that has malfunctioned across the past several months.
Let’s not forget how Robertson struggled to adapt in Klopp’s team after joining from relegated Hull City for about £8m in 2016. Imagine if Liverpool had sold the Scotsman after that up-and-down maiden year, written him off before he ripened.
Equally, we cannot ignore the depths of Kerkez’s struggles since joining Liverpool, so incongruent on the flank of Slot’s system.
Given the coach’s need for hearty contribution from his full-backs in the build-up, it’s somewhat confusing that Kerkez has been signed for a big-money fee; he is an athletic, touchline-hugging kind of player, darting up and down and getting involved in attacks and stretching the width of his side.
Whether Liverpool fashion a superstar out of this young Hungarian is anyone’s guess at this stage, but we know he needs to do more, lest he fall into a similar category as Nunez before him, signed for a big fee after hitting heights in a smaller sphere but ultimately tripping up when heading down Anfield Road and putting on the heavy Liverpool shirt.
More than Wirtz: £36m Liverpool star is becoming a "serious issue" for Slot
Liverpool were condemned to a fifth defeat in six Premier League matches at the Etihad.
Daniel Farke will is set to be sacked by 49ers Enterprises if Leeds lose their next two Premier League matches against Chelsea and Liverpool.
Farke frustrated by Man City tactics at the Etihad
The Whites were left heartbroken by a late Phil Foden winner at Manchester City on Saturday, as a crucial point slipped through Farke’s fingers.
The German bemoaned City’s dark arts after the match, believing goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma went down with a “fake injury” that allowed Pep Guardiola to give his players a team talk.
“It is within the rules,” Farke said. “It is smart. If I like it, if it is in the sense of fair play, if it should be like this, I keep it to myself and I leave it to the authorities to find solutions for it. It is within the rules.
“I asked the fourth official at this point if you want to do something and he said: ‘No, our hands are tied, we can’t do anything’.
“If we don’t educate our players in football, what to do in terms of fair play, sportsmanship, if you just try to bend the rules to your advantage and you can do a fake injury in order to do an additional team talk, it is nothing I personally like but if it is within the rules I can’t complain about it.”
49ers keen on hiring Farke upgrade at Leeds who's a "bit like Bielsa"
Leeds fans can expect high-octane football with this manager
ByJoe Nuttall Nov 30, 2025 Leeds want new manager in before January transfer window
The Leeds manager is feeling the pressure with his side now sat in the bottom three heading into two huge fixtures, as they take on Chelsea at Elland Road on Wednesday before welcoming Liverpool to Yorkshire on Saturday evening.
And according to a report from The Guardian, ‘multiple sources at Leeds have privately conceded that Farke’s fate is in the balance’.
He is likely to be relieved of his duties if they lose both games, despite some within the club feeling the performances have deserved better results.
More intriguingly, the report states the 49ers want to a new boss in before the January transfer window if they do indeed make a change, as they would like to make signings in January to mould the team to the new manager’s needs.
And while just who that is remains to be seen, a report shared by Give Me Sport claims Gary O’Neil is now the frontrunner to take over.
The former Wolves manager has been out of work for nearly a year after he was sacked in December 2024, but was looked on favourably during his time at Molineux.
“It’s unbelievable and you think the summer they had as well,” Shay Given said on BBC Match of the Day last year.
“I’ve just wrote some names down Nunes, Neves, Collins, Coady, Jimenez, he had to sell all them to balance the books up.
“So the job he’s done under such restraints and Financial Fair Play is just phenomenal.”
Manchester City are now reportedly ready to hijack Manchester United’s move to sign a Premier League star worth as much as £100m in 2026.
Man City make Semenyo a top target
It’s not just their local rivals that Man City are looking to frustrate. The Citizens are also reportedly interested in signing Antoine Semenyo and have made the Bournemouth star a top target. In what would deal Liverpool an untimely blow, City could land one of the most in-form wingers that the Premier League has to offer.
It’s clear that Semenyo likes the idea of linking up with Erling Haaland, too, after saying: “Haaland is number one. You see it on TV, scoring all these goals and thinking, surely he’s not like this in person… That man is tall, my goodness. Tall, strong, fast, can finish.
“He’s got everything you need as a striker. I remember Man City just bopping, and I’m thinking, okay this is normal that they bop it. Ruben Dias wraps the ball to him, the ball’s like this high, I’m thinking ‘how’s he going to deal with this?’ just takes it on his chest like this – I am thinking: Haaland, the man.”
It’s also easy to see why City have set their sights on another direct winger. Aside from the improved Jeremy Doku, Pep Guardiola’s wide men have struggled to leave their mark, with Savinho receiving his fair share of criticism from those at the Etihad in recent weeks.
The Brazilian was part of a much-changed Man City side against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, but to say that he failed to make his opportunity count would be an understatement.
Alas, it’s not just wide men that Guardiola wants. The Spaniard and Man City have now reportedly turned their focus towards midfield star Elliot Anderson, who is represented by the same agency as Omar Marmoush.
Man City ready to hijack Man Utd's Anderson move
As reported by the Daily Mail’s Craig Hope, Man City are now ready to hijack Man Utd’s move for Anderson. The Citizens have made the Nottingham Forest star a top target and could splash out as much as £100m to secure his signature in 2026.
Man City now considering move for £65m forward who Pep called "extraordinary"
City have identified a forward as a priority target ahead of the January transfer window.
By
Dominic Lund
Nov 27, 2025
The England star is quickly becoming one of the most wanted players in the Premier League and that should come as no surprise.
England boss Thomas Tuchel has quickly made the Forest star one of his main men and has showered him with praise a number of times, telling reporters: “He is an elite player with the right attitude and a lot of talent. He is fulfilling his role in the best way possible so we are very happy with him.”
Man City now frontrunners to sign "world-class" £80m star, Pep's a big fan
Captain Ronald Araujo has been granted indefinite leave by Barcelona following a request for a period of absence. The Uruguay international's representatives held discussions with club sporting director Deco on Monday after the defender was not part of the matchday squad for Saturday's 3-1 La Liga victory over Alaves at Spotify Camp Nou.
Araujo was sent off in Barcelona's Champions League loss at Chelsea
After being sent off in Barcelona’s 3-0 defeat against Chelsea in the Champions League last Tuesday, Araujo was absent as his side secured a victory over Alaves which sent them top of La Liga.
A double from Dani Olmo and a strike from Lamine Yamal helped Hansi Flick’s side rise to the summit ahead of Real Madrid, who stayed in second place after drawing 1-1 with Girona on Sunday. With Araujo missing, left-back Gerard Martin had to step into the centre of defence alongside youngster Pau Cubarsi.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportReport states Spanish giants have granted defender's request for absence
And according to Araujo has now been allowed to take a break following a request from his agents. The report states Barcelona chief Deco granted the 28-year-old’s wish to step away from football as the club remain committed to giving him the time he needs to recover.
Spanish publication reported earlier on Monday that Araujo lodged the request because he does not believe he can deliver for Barcelona at the moment. The report added the centre-back feared he would “hurt” the team if he tried to force himself to play.
While refusing to go into detail as to why Araujo requested a period of absence, Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick said ahead of Tuesday’s clash with Atletico Madrid: “It is a private situation, I don’t want to say more. And please, if you can respect it I’d appreciate it.”
Barcelona president Laporta says Araujo has been treated unfairly of late
Flick’s comments came after Barcelona president Joan Laporta said Araujo had been treated unfairly in recent weeks and that the club were “behind him”.
Speaking at an event in Andorra on Friday, Laporta said: “He has been heavily criticised, and I don’t think that’s fair. He gives his all on the pitch, he’s our captain, and now he needs to get through this difficult period because he’s a very emotional person with strong feelings.
“He’s had a tough time, and I want to tell him that we’re behind him, that he needs to turn the page because here we all win and we all lose, and no one person is responsible for defeats or victories.”
ENJOYED THIS STORY?
Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting
AFPBarcelona boss Flick expecting tough test against 'fantastic' Atletico
Barcelona are gearing up for a highly-anticipated fixture with Atletico in what will be just their third match at the renovated Camp Nou, following the earlier games against Athletic Club and Alaves. While the reigning champions are hoping to secure a win which would keep them above fierce rivals Real – who travel to Athletic on Wednesday – Diego Simeone’s Atletico should provide a strong test for Flick’s men.
Currently fourth in the table, Los Rojiblancos could go level on points with Barcelona with a victory at Camp Nou. Simeone’s side have lost just one of their 14 league matches in 2025-26, winning nine and drawing four.
Previewing the fixture, Barcelona boss Flick said: "We know we are up against a fantastic team with a lot of quality, one of the best in Europe with one of the best coaches. For that reason it will be a tough encounter.
"We are back at the top and we are happy about that, it's where we want to be but the important thing is to stay there until the end of the season. We have to keep working hard and give our best. We are leaders but at the moment we are not at our best. We need to move forward to to get back playing our best football.
“I think we are committing too many mistakes, despite having the quality to control matches. It's something we have missed in recent matches but we can do it and we are working towards that.”
Continuing his excellent season, he picked up a hat-trick to reduce Meghalaya to 2 for 6 in a must-win game for Mumbai
Vishal Dikshit30-Jan-2025Shardul Thakur has a tendency to surprise you. With his batting, his bowling, and sometimes even with his words. Ask Ian Bishop, who asked Thakur on live broadcast before a 2023 World Cup game how he bowled the wobble-seam delivery. Thakur answer was, “I don’t know. I just hold it like this [seam-up] and bowl. [I] don’t do much, whatever happens happens.”In the last week or so, his all-round performances have surprised everyone yet again. Despite all the limelight on bigger stars returning to domestic cricket, Thakur has overshadowed them with both bat and ball.The most recent of those came on a hazy Thursday morning in Mumbai. In a must-win game against Meghalaya to make the knockouts of the Ranji Trophy, the pre-match talk was centred around Rohit Sharma, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shreyas Iyer skipping this round for Mumbai. The attention had shifted to Delhi, where a last-minute plan was hatched to broadcast Virat Kohli’s comeback to domestic cricket.Related
Rohit, Jaiswal, Iyer to miss Mumbai's must-win game
Rahane, Pujara near tons; Tamil Nadu's season on the line
Another day, another audacious rescue act by Shardul Thakur
Shardul Thakur on his rescue act: 'I like batting in difficult situations'
Kohli hits the nets as Delhi stadium gears up for his Ranji return
Around 9am, it emerged Delhi would bowl first and the thousands who had turned up at the Arun Jaitley Stadium would have to wait to watch their hero bat. Meanwhile, in one suburb of Mumbai, the home team made six changes to their XI and Thakur took the new ball with no cameras and fans in the vicinity.That he struck in the first over was not really a surprise. The real deal came in his second over, when bowling from over the wicket, he swung the ball into left-hand batter B Anirudh to hit off stump. Next ball he pitched fuller and drew an edge from right-hand batter Sumit Kumar and Shams Mulani pouched the catch at third slip.On one hand, there was a deafening cacophony in Delhi after seeing Kohli just on the field. On the other, Thakur ran in to bowl the hat-trick ball amid the honking of peak-hour traffic around the Sharad Pawar Academy in the concrete jungle of the Bandra-Kurla Complex.Next in was Meghalaya’s No. 4 Jaskirat Sachdeva, another left-hand batter, and Thakur sent down another inswinger to beat the inside edge and hit the stumps. His hat-trick had reduced the visitors to 2 for 6 and Meghalaya were now in danger of breaking Hyderabad’s unwanted record of the lowest team score (21) in the Ranji Trophy.
But Thakur’s feat came at a time that robbed him of the immediate recognition it deserved. Not only was this game not being shown live but also Thakur had hardly finished his spell when there was a commotion beyond the cover boundary. Thakur’s head turned as well to see what the fuss was about. Fans were hanging over the fence and reaching out with their phone cameras. A few of them were screaming. A group of people emerged in the nets with a kit bag, a big umbrella, and a few chairs, and it turned out Rohit had arrived to train ahead of the ODI series against England.It was not for the first time this month that Thakur had done the hard work while the spotlight was elsewhere. It had started against Jammu and Kashmir in the previous round when Rohit and Jaiswal had returned to the domestic circuit. Mumbai had collapsed to 47 for 7 in the first innings and 101 for 7 in the second, before Thakur rescued the team with a half-century and a century, respectively.Stationed at long-off towards the end of his spell of 7-2-19-4, Thakur whistled a couple of times to catch Rohit’s attention. When Rohit finally responded, Thakur pointed to the scorching sun to imply that it was too hot by then, and Rohit should have come earlier. It’s not that Rohit didn’t know this, but Thakur thought he would tell his friend the information he has gathered from all the training sessions and matches he has been playing in Mumbai this domestic season, toiling away and not held back by the lack of an IPL contract and no India comeback on the horizon.Thakur does not know what is next for him after the Ranji Trophy, but that may not stop him from surprising you.
Tottenham Hotspur are now reportedly making checks on a Premier League goalkeeper, who could replace the out-of-form Guglielmo Vicario.
Thomas Frank responds to growing Tottenham pressure
There was plenty of hope that Thomas Frank could be the man to take Tottenham to the next level when he arrived in the summer. By all means, it was an appointment which made perfect sense. That initial hope is now beginning to fade away, however, and the pressure is growing on the Dane to turn things around, as names like Marco Silva begin to be name-dropped.
It speaks volumes that it was a Cristian Romero brace, which included a late overhead kick, which saved Spurs against Newcastle United, with Frank’s attackers continuing to struggle.
The pressure doesn’t seem to be getting to Frank, though, who told reporters when asked whether he would get time to make his mark in North London: “Yeah, I’m very confident.
“I think the ownership – of course I’m just starting to know them, but it seems like they’re good guys, intelligent people – know how to run businesses and learning about football, learning more now they’ve become owners. I think when we’re dealing with intelligent people, they can see every successful dynasty, every successful club has taken time.
“Yeah you have one where you maybe win one year or the second year, but you can’t sustain it if you don’t build something sustainable. Impossible.”
That said, even Frank may not be able to deny that something needs to change for too much longer. Where that change comes remains is the big question.
Vicario’s position is certainly up for debate. The goalkeeper was booed by his own fans after a mistake against Fulham and Spurs have since been linked with moves for both James Trafford and Bart Verbruggen.
Tottenham make first contact for Verbruggen
According to TeamTalk, Tottenham have now made initial contact for Verbruggen, making checks on the Brighton & Hove Albion shot-stopper. He’s someone that ENIC reportedly admire and a player that will make their shortlist if they decide to replace Vicario in the coming year.
Tottenham could prove 'irresistible' to manager who Levy was urged to hire before Frank
He’s on the verge of leaving his current club.
1
By
Emilio Galantini
Dec 2, 2025
Alas, they’re not the only ones who admire the Dutchman. Bayern Munich are also reportedly big fans of Verbruggen and see him as a potential replacement for one of the best goalkeepers of all time, Manuel Neuer.
PL stats 25/26
Verbruggen
Vicario
Starts
13
14
Clean Sheets
3
4
Save Percentage
68.9%
72.%
Pass Completion
76.6%
75.6%
Whilst Vicario’s recent mistake turned him into public enemy No.1 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, his underlying numbers suggest that he’s likely to turn a corner after that moment of madness.
They also suggest that Verbruggen wouldn’t be a major upgrade, despite Fabian Hurzeler’s verdict that the Dutchman is an “unbelievable character”.
The last thing that Spurs need is to waste more funds on those who wouldn’t provide Frank with much-needed upgrades. Unless the Lilywhites find a goalkeeper who is putting up better numbers than Vicario, then they should show faith in their No.1 for at least the remainder of the campaign.
Spurs star is in danger of becoming Dele Alli 2.0 under Thomas Frank