Football news

Bayer Leverkusen, having played yesterday in a 2-2 draw with Italian Roma in the return match of the 1/2 final of the Europa League, brought its unbeaten streak in all tournaments to 49 matches, thus setting a new world record.

Before that, the world record holder at club level for the number of matches without defeat was Benfica Lisbon, which in 1963-65 did not lose in 48 consecutive matches.

It should be added that the last time in official matches Bayer lost almost a year ago, on 27 May 2023, when in the last German championship lost away to Bochum - 0:3.

Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Muller spoke about the work of the referees in the Champions League last-16 return leg against Real Madrid (1-2).

"It's very strange. The referee didn't even go to watch VAR. This happens very often in Madrid. Remember the moment with Cristiano's double a few years ago. But we shouldn't justify our defeat with this decision," Mueller told DAZN.

After the 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals, Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasised the injury-riddled season.

"We had many, many problems this season. Not just injuries to Courtois, Militao and Alaba. We lost Vinicius for two months, Kamawing and Chuameni. But we never complained, never. And look at us now," Ancelotti told Real Madrid TV.

Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel is outraged by the decision of the refereeing team of Simon Marciniak in the Champions League semi-final match against Real Madrid (1-2).

"The referee apologised to us, but it won't help. The referee realised that he didn't need to blow the whistle, he saw that we won the second ball. It's a very bad decision and it's against the rules, it's a disaster," Tuchel told DAZN.

Bayern Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer spoke about his mistake in the episode with Real Madrid's first goal (1-2) in the Champions League semi-finals.

"Everyone who has ever played football knows how I feel now. I have to be honest and say that I expected the ball to go in a slightly different direction, more towards my chest. I didn't expect it to bounce off the turf like that. That made it hard for me to control it. Then Joselu got to the ball faster and it was hard to stop. It was brutal.

We have made a step towards London, we have already seen ourselves in the final. I'm just speechless," Noer told DAZN.

Bayern Munich defender Matthijs de Licht commented on the episode with the offside disallowance in the Champions League last-16 match against Real Madrid (1-2).

"I don't want to say that the referees are always on Real Madrid's side, but today it mattered. The linesman said to me: 'I'm sorry, I made a mistake'. It was a shame.

When you think that Real Madrid has already lost, they take their last breath... That's why they have 14 Champions League trophies," de Licht told Movistar.

Borussia Dortmund manager Edin Terzic became the third coach in the history of the German team to lead the team to the Champions League final.

It will be recalled that Borussia Dortmund defeated Paris Saint-Germain 2-0 (1-0, 1-0) in the semi-final match. Previously, Borussia Dortmund reached the CL final in the 1996/97 and 2012/13 seasons. The first time they reached the final was led by Ottmar Gitzfeld, and 11 years ago - by Jürgen Klopp. Thus, Edin Terzic became the third coach to reach this milestone.

The Champions League final will take place on 1 June at Wembley Stadium.

Borussia Dortmund striker Marco Royce is convinced that everyone will forget how the German giants reached the Champions League final.

- Shots on goal from PSG players? Who cares about that at all? It won't matter tomorrow. No one will ask how we won this match. What is important is that Borussia is back in the final. No one expected this. It's incredible! It's an indescribable joy. After more than 10 years, I am back in the Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund," said Marco Royce.

It will be recalled that the last time Borussia Dortmund reached the Champions League final was in 2013. Back then, Jurgen Klopp's side lost to Bayern Munich with a score of 1-2.

The Champions League final will take place on 1 June at Wembley Stadium.

Borussia Dortmund striker Marco Royce commented on his team's progress to the Champions League final. It will be recalled that in the semi-final match, the German team defeated Paris Saint-Germain (1: 0, 1: 0).

- "We are going to Wembley. It's just crazy. We are back in the final after an 11-year break. We have to achieve our goal, our moment has come," said Marco Royce.

It will be recalled that Borussia Dortmund last reached the Champions League final in 2013. Back then, Jurgen Klopp's men lost to Bayern Munich with a score of 1-2.

The Champions League final will take place on 1 June at Wembley Stadium.

Former Brazilian striker Rivaldo has assessed Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior's chances of winning the Ballon d'Or this year.

"He is a great candidate to win the Ballon d'Or if Real Madrid wins the Champions League. He's already one of the three best players in the world without even being a champion," Rivaldo told DAZN.

On Wednesday, Real Madrid will host Bayern Munich in the second leg of the Champions League last 16.

Roma's head coach Daniele De Rossi commented on the 1-1 draw in the match of the 35th round of the Italian league against Juventus and shared his expectations for the clash with Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League semi-finals.

"I think we played a great match. 48 hours ago, we were here in a depressed state after a very intense game in which we fought to the end. Today I can only be proud of this result.

We have to believe in our victory. In the first match against Bayer Leverkusen, we had the ball for 60% of the game and had a great opportunity to score before conceding a goal. Now, two goals will be enough for us. I also asked Allegri for advice before the next game against Bayer," De Rossi was quoted as saying by Calciomercato.

"Bayern Munich are considering Manchester City head coach Josep Guardiola as a replacement for Thomas Tuchel, according to Kicker. However, the Spanish specialist's entourage denied such speculation

"Bayern will always be in Pep's heart, but he doesn't want to leave Manchester City this summer. He is very happy, he has a valid contract until 2025. A return to Bayern is not on the cards," Guardiola's camp told Sky Sport.

It will be recalled that Pep spent three trophy-winning years at Bayern Munich before joining Manchester City in 2016.