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European football leagues (La Liga, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A, etc.) 2024-25 Discussion Thread

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In the 2024 season, La Liga is as competitive as ever. FC Barcelona and Real Madrid remain the dominant forces with both clubs investing heavily in new talent. Atlético Madrid also poses a strong challenge aiming to break the duopoly of the two giants. The league has seen a rise in young Spanish talents adding excitement and unpredictability to the season.

Ligue 1 continues to be dominated by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) who are the defending champions and remain the team to beat. However, other clubs like Olympique de Marseille and AS Monaco are making significant strides aiming to close the gap. The league is showcasing emerging talents and has a reputation for high-scoring matches and exciting football.

Serie A in the 2024 season features a thrilling race at the top with Inter Milan, AC Milan, and Juventus leading the charge. Inter Milan is particularly strong, bolstered by significant investments and a solid squad. AC Milan and Juventus are not far behind, making the title race highly competitive. The league is also noted for its tactical battles and passionate fan base.

The Bundesliga continues to be a showcase for attacking football. Bayern Munich remains the dominant force, but clubs like Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig are pushing hard to challenge their supremacy. The league is known for its vibrant atmosphere and the development of young talents who often make a significant impact.

Overall, the 2024 season across these European leagues promises an exciting array of footballing talent, competitive matches, and memorable moments.
 
Leverkusen to retain title or will Bayern bounce back?

Bayer Leverkusen's record-breaking title win last season was a breath of fresh air for the Bundesliga.

The fact Bayern Munich's seemingly iron grip on the trophy was finally broken raises hopes the upcoming campaign and following years in Germany will be competitive.

However, despite their struggles last year, Bayern go into the 2024-25 season - which kicks off on Friday with Leverkusen at Borussia Monchengladbach - as favourites once again.

The record 33-times champions, who had won 11 titles in a row before Leverkusen's historic unbeaten league campaign, have made some significant changes, including hiring Vincent Kompany as their new manager.

While the former Burnley boss may not have the typical track record of a Bayern manager, he has impressed in his first weeks in charge.

His possession-based brand of football, which was evident during his time at Anderlecht and his first year with Burnley in the Championship, suits Bayern and their identity well.

Plus, Kompany has had the joy of welcoming a few major signings during the summer - most notably Michael Olise and Joao Palhinha.

Interestingly, Palhinha was the player Kompany's predecessor Thomas Tuchel desperately wanted last season before a proposed deal with Fulham fell through.

Palhinha has now been signed as the Bavarians' holding midfielder and looks set to be the most dominant player in front of Bayern's backline since Javi Martinez a decade ago.

Will Leverkusen's late heroics continue?

One player who might not end up at Bayern before the summer transfer window closes is Jonathan Tah.

The 28-year-old German international was on the verge of moving from Leverkusen a couple of weeks ago, but the two clubs have not managed to reach a deal.

Even though Tah's contract expires in 2025, Leverkusen are loath to lose their defensive leader.

To this point, the reigning champions have been able to keep all their key players from last season.

Leverkusen's core group - including Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jeremie Frimpong and Alex Grimaldo - have all decided to stay and attempt to defend the title under the tutelage of Xabi Alonso.

In fact, Leverkusen have been able to strengthen their squad. Midfielder Aleix Garcia, signed from Girona, looks to be Xhaka's new midfield partner, while defender Jeanuel Belocian and winger Martin Terrier have been brought in to give Alonso even more options.

Leverkusen showed one of their main characteristics at the weekend against VfB Stuttgart in the German Super Cup, managing to score a last-gasp equaliser despite being a man down.

Leverkusen eventually beat Stuttgart on penalties to secure the first piece of silverware of the 2024-25 campaign.

But it is unlikely Alonso's players can achieve as many last-minute wins as last season - having scored at least 17 goals in the 90th minute or later across all competitions.

The prospect of at least some drop-off in performance is likely, but that does not necessarily mean Leverkusen will be unable to challenge Bayern and others.

Alonso's side did, after all, finish 18 points above third-placed Bayern in 2023-24 and 17 points ahead of runners-up Stuttgart.

Can Sahin get new-look Dortmund to gel?

In the slipstream of Bayern and Leverkusen are two other teams with ambitions of competing for the German championship.

The first are Borussia Dortmund, now coached by Nuri Sahin following the departure of Edin Terzic.

Dortmund reached the Champions League final under Terzic last season, but club power-brokers were concerned about the lack of overall progress.

Dortmund ended the season fifth in the Bundesliga - 27 points behind Leverkusen - and only reached this year's Champions League because of the altered format, which granted the German league five spots.

Sahin is even less experienced than Kompany and Alonso, but the general hope is the former Liverpool midfielder could improve Dortmund's possession game to dominate play like Bayern and Leverkusen.

Dortmund were even more active in the transfer market, signing Germany internationals Pascal Gross, Waldemar Anton and Maximilian Beier, while Manchester City's Yan Couto and Serhou Guirassy from Stuttgart also arrived.

Guirassy was second in the Bundesliga scoring charts behind Harry Kane last season and has essentially pushed Niclas Fullkrug, who has joined West Ham, out of the door.

It is up to Sahin to put the pieces together effectively. Unlike Terzic, the new manager cannot count on moments of brilliance from a few attacking players, especially now Jadon Sancho has left the club once again.

Leipzig with an outsider's chance

The fourth Bundesliga contenders in 2024-25 look to be RB Leipzig.

Despite losing Dani Olmo, manager Marco Rose has a familiar group of core players, including Xavi Simons who has remained on loan from Paris St-Germain for another year.

The biggest headache for the 47-year-old manager might be his midfield injury woes, as Xaver Schlager and Assan Ouedraogo will miss the start of the season - with the former being out for a considerable amount of time.

But regardless of that, Leipzig boast an outsider's chance of challenging at the summit during the upcoming campaign.

Leverkusen's stunning triumph last season ended Bayern's Bundesliga monopoly. And the league could be set for another exciting title race with multiple teams, charismatic managers and talented players.

It is truly a breath of fresh air.

BBC
 
Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen has joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli, both clubs have announced

Napoli said the deal lasts until the end of the 2024-25 season and that Osimhen has also agreed a one-year contract extension with the Italian club to June 2027.

The 25-year-old had been a target for Premier League side Chelsea before the English transfer window closed on Friday, with Saudi club Al-Ahli also interested, but has moved to Turkey instead.

Osimhen scored 76 goals in 133 games for Napoli and played a key role in their 2022-23 Serie A title win with 26 goals.But he failed to maintain the explosive form that made him one of the most coveted strikers in Europe, scoring 15 times in Serie A last season in a disappointing campaign for Napoli in which they finished 10th and went through three managers.

Former Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte took charge for this season and signed Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku, 31, from the Blues for £30m.

Source: BBC​

 
Kylian Mbappe scored his third Real Madrid goal in two games in a hard fought victory over Real Sociedad at Reale Arena.

The Frenchman opened his La Liga account before the international break and coolly sent Alex Remiro the wrong way from the penalty spot late in the second half after Jon Aramburu stood on Vinicius Jr's foot.

Vinicius opened the scoring for Madrid in the 58th minute, also with a penalty, after former Manchester City left-back Sergio Gomez handled Arda Guler's powerful hit.

Brazilian Vinicius made no mistake as he scored his second La Liga goal of the season.

Sociedad may have wondered how they had not taken the lead after hitting the woodwork three times - twice in the first half and once in the second.

Keeper Thibaut Courtois could only watch as Luka Susic’s powerful strike from the edge of the box rattled the crossbar in the 25th minute.

Madrid were saved by the woodwork again 10 minutes later. Dani Carvajal lost possession deep in his own half and Sheraldo Becker’s left-footed strike spun off the bar.

Croatian Susic perfectly opened up his body 20 seconds into the second half to slide a left-footed effort past Courtois, but he could not beat the base of the post.

England international Jude Bellingham remained on the sidelines after injuring his calf before the international break, although he has returned to training.

Madrid are unbeaten after five league matches but remain a point behind leaders Barcelona despite having played a game more.

BBC
 
Harry Kane scored a hat-trick as Bayern Munich took just 13 seconds to open the scoring against newly promoted Holstein Kiel, returning to the top of the Bundesliga with an emphatic win.

Kane nodded on for Jamal Musiala to run clear and score Bayern's joint second-fastest goal in the Bundesliga era.

Kane scored twice in a rampant first half either side of an own goal from Nicolai Remberg, with former Crystal Palace forward Michael Olise grabbing his first Bayern goal after the break.

Kane then scored a penalty in stoppage time to wrap up victory and a fifth hat-trick for the club.

Vincent Kompany's side have won all three league games while Kiel - in their first Bundesliga season - have yet to record a point.

Harry Kane has scored 40 goals in 35 Bundesliga games for Bayern Munich

Only striker Giovane Elber has scored a faster goal in the Bundesliga for Bayern than Musiala, the Brazilian netting after 11 seconds against Hamburg in 1998.

Musiala made no mistake after two defenders collided before former Tottenham and Fulham man Lewis Holtby gave the ball away and Musiala teed up Kane for the second.

Kane has now scored against all 18 teams he has faced in the Bundesliga, and after Remberg turned into his own goal the England captain curled in a fine second from 20 yards.

Olise swept in a rebound after Alphonso Davies had a shot saved to put Bayern 5-0 up, but Armin Gigovic gave the home fans something to cheer when he headed in a late consolation, their first goal at home in the league.

There was still time for Kane to win - and convert - a spot-kick in added time.

BBC
 

I have to move house after mayor comments - Morata​


Alvaro Morata says he and his family have been forced to move because of safety concerns after a mayor revealed the footballer had bought a house in his town.

Morata, 31, joined AC Milan from Atletico Madrid in July.

Italian media reported that Morata chose to move to Corbetta - a town 17 miles west of Milan - to ensure privacy for his family.

The Spanish striker was furious when the mayor of Corbetta, Marco Ballarini, shared the news of Morata's arrival on social media on Wednesday.

"Dear Mr Mayor, thank you for violating my privacy. Fortunately, I do not own any valuable property. My only treasure is my children, whose safety you have endangered," Morata wrote on Instagram.

"I thought the municipality of Corbetta could guarantee me a certain level of privacy but instead I find myself having to move house immediately due to your inability to use social media and protect your citizens."

Ballarini admitted in his post that he is a supporter of Inter Milan, arch-rivals of AC Milan, but added, external: "I welcome Alvaro Morata to our big family in Corbetta."

On Thursday, Ballarini shared an image of the Inter Milan club badge on his Instagram story with the caption: "Ciao."

Morata, who captained Spain as they won Euro 2024, has scored two goals in six appearances for Milan.

www.bbc.com

Alvaro Morata: AC Milan star to move house after mayor comments

Alvaro Morata says comments made by a local mayor have compromised his family's safety.
www.bbc.com
 
Dani Carvajal has confirmed he will need surgery after suffering a "serious" cruciate ligament injury in Real Madrid's 2-0 win over Villarreal at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spain right-back was left screaming in agony after seemingly over-extending his knee in a collision with Yeremy Pino in added time, and was carried off the pitch on a stretcher in tears.

"Serious cruciate ligament injury confirmed, I'm going to have to go through surgery and be off the field for a few months," Carvajal, 32, later wrote on Instagram.

"Already looking forward to starting recovery and coming back like a beast."

Speaking immediately after the win which continued Real's unbeaten start to the La Liga season, manager Carlo Ancelotti said his players were "sad" and "worried" for Carvajal.

He added: "Something happened that happens a lot, because of the calendar, and it happened to a very, very important player for us."

The victory came after Real's shock defeat by Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Federico Valverde gave Real the lead in the 14th minute on Saturday when his shot from the edge of the box found the bottom left corner after deflecting off the unfortunate Alex Baena.

Moments later, Villarreal almost equalised when Nicolas Pepe's header clipped the crossbar from Baena's cross, before Thierno Barry headed over the bar.

Vinicius Junior made sure of the victory with 17 minutes left to play, launching a fierce effort from long range into the top corner.

Real had further chances to increase their lead but Antonio Rudiger sent a header over the bar and England international Jude Bellingham's long-range effort sailed wide of the post.

Villarreal thought they had a penalty five minutes after the break when Aurelien Tchouameni fouled Barry, but the French forward was adjudged to be offside.

Baena's 25-yard free-kick grazed the side-netting as the away side continued to probe but ultimately failed to find a way back into the game.

Ancelotti's side are now undefeated in 41 La Liga matches (W30 D11), the second best unbeaten streak by a team in the entire history of the competition.

Rivals Barcelona are the only side to better that, with a 43-game unbeaten league run (W34 D9) in 2018.

The result means Real are level on points with Barca at the top of the table, although Hansi Flick's side will go three points clear if they win at Alaves on Sunday (15:15 BST).

BBC
 
Luka Modric, 39, became the oldest player to ever feature for Real Madrid as his side beat Celta Vigo in La Liga.

The Croatian provided the assist for Vinicius Jr's match-winning goal soon after coming on as a second-half substitute, and helped guide Real to victory in a tough encounter.

Real are now level on points with Barcelona - who play Sevilla at 20:00 BST on Sunday - at the top of Spain's top flight but trail them on goal difference and have played a game more.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti called Modric a "top professional and a great guy".

"It's a pleasure to coach Modric, to work with him. Everything he's been able to achieve and is achieving, he deserves," Ancelotti told Real Madrid TV.

They went ahead after just 20 minutes thanks to a wonderful long-range strike by Kylian Mbappe, who took one touch and whipped the ball into the top corner after a pass from Eduardo Camavinga.

But it was far from a dominant performance from Ancelotti's men and Celta enjoyed many of the best chances. Williot Swedberg should really have netted before Mbappe, but fired wide when one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois.

Real were shaky defensively and Celta often tested them with counter-attacks, while the Madrid club did not cause many problems for the hosts.

Celta eventually got their reward for their attacking intent just five minutes after the restart when Swedberg turned home after Oscar Mingueza whipped a low delivery into the box.

Vinicius thought he had swiftly restored Real's lead, but he had a goal ruled out for offside - just as Borja Iglesias had done for the visitors after Mbappe scored.

The Brazilian managed to get Real back in front 10 minutes later though, when he connected with Modric's well-weighted pass from deep in midfield and turned the ball past Vicente Guaita.

"I'm happy because we won after the international break which is not always easy," Ancelotti said of the result.

Real are next in action when they play Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday (20:00).

BBC
 
La Liga wants Barcelona v Atletico in Miami

Barcelona's league fixture against Atletico Madrid in December could be staged in Miami - with La Liga officials hopeful that Fifa will approve the plan.

It would be the first time a La Liga match has been played in the United States.

Fifa, football's world governing body, will make the final decision on the proposal.

The match is currently scheduled for 22 December, before La Liga pauses for its winter break.

Both Atletico and Barcelona are scheduled to play in a four-team Spanish Super Cup in early January, which is being held in Saudi Arabia.

In April, Fifa withdrew from a legal challenge by leading match promoter Relevent, which is seeking to stage overseas league matches in the United States.

The following month, Fifa announced it was setting up a working group to look at the potential impact of competitive domestic matches being played abroad.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has spoken of his desire to take La Liga games to other countries.

Barcelona planned to stage a league match against Girona in Miami in January 2019, but the idea was scrapped in the face of opposition from Spain's football association and its players' union.

League sources say there is still work to do on the plan but they are hopeful of receiving approval to proceed.

The Premier League has previously said it has no plans to play games overseas.

BBC
 

Valencia match postponed after flash floods in Spain​


Valencia's Copa del Rey match against Parla Escuela has been postponed after the devastating flash floods in Spain.

At least 62 people have died after torrential rain in the country, with the town of Chiva, near Valencia, receiving more than a year's worth of rain in eight hours.

Valencia's away game against the sixth-tier side was to be played in Parla, located 15 miles from the Spanish capital of Madrid, on Wednesday.

The match has been rescheduled to 6 November and will be played at the same venue.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) says it is "working intensively" with affected clubs and that further fixtures on Thursday could be rearranged.

Valencia host La Liga champions Real Madrid at Mestalla Stadium on Saturday.

www.bbc.com

Spanish floods: La Liga matches set to be called off around Valencia

Real Madrid's visit to Valencia on Saturday is among the football fixtures set to be postponed this weekend after the flash floods in Spain.
www.bbc.com
 

Real Madrid's trip to Valencia postponed after floods​


La Liga champions Real Madrid's match against Valencia, which was scheduled for Saturday, has been postponed after the devastating flash floods in Spain.

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has postponed all matches in the Valencia region, where at least 95 people have died and dozens more are missing after torrential rain.

Villarreal's La Liga meeting with Rayo Vallecano has also been called off, along with three games in the Segunda division - Castellon v RC Ferrol, CD Eldense against SD Huesca and Malaga's visit to Levante.

in Liga F, the women’s top flight, Valencia's match against Deportivo La Coruna and Real Madrid v Levante are among the postponed fixtures.

The RFEF had received requests from La Liga, Liga F and the clubs themselves to postpone all professional matches in the area after the flash floods.

Several Copa del Rey matches, including Valencia's trip to Parla Escuela, had already been rescheduled.

The RFEF said a minute's silence will be observed during the weekend's games to show Spanish football's "solidarity for those affected, especially the relatives of those who have died in the natural disaster".

www.bbc.com

Spanish floods: Real Madrid vs Valencia in La Liga postponed

La Liga champions Real Madrid's match against Valencia, scheduled for Saturday, is postponed after devastating flash floods in Spain.
www.bbc.com
 
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