Sports

Leverkusen Held To Stalemate In Champions League By Battling Brest

Published

2 years ago

October 24, 2024

Editor

Bayer Leverkusen were held to an entertaining 1-1 draw at Brest in the Champions League on Wednesday, with Germany starlet Florian Wirtz netting for the visitors.

A third goal in three Champions League outings for Wirtz handed Leverkusen the advantage, but Pierre Lees-Melou crashed home a volley to level matters in the first period.

Both sides went into the match with 100 percent records from their two outings so far in the league phase.

They now sit third and fourth in the table on seven points, with Brest ahead on goals scored.

Wirtz, 21, sent the Bundesliga champions into a 24th-minute lead with an arrowed finish from 20 yards.

Wirtz nearly doubled up on 29 minutes but could only muster a tame effort at goal after dancing his way through three defenders on the edge of the box.

But it was Brest who struck next when a looping ball dropped to Lees-Melou on the edge of the box and the midfielder lashed a volley into the bottom corner six minutes before the interval.

Both sides fought for the upper hand in the second half, with Brest surviving desperate Leverkusen appeals for a penalty after the hour when Jonas Hofmann’s cross struck a hand but it was adjudged to be in a natural position.

Mahdi Camara then stung Matej Kovar’s palms in the Leverkusen goal with a powerful, but too centrally-placed, half-volley with 15 minutes remaining.

Substitute Mama Balde had a golden opportunity on 87 minutes but hit the side netting as he closed in on goal from a tight angle.

Bayer coach Xabi Alonso was left to throw his arms up in frustration as the clock ticked into injury time when VAR again decided not to award his side a penalty after Hofmann was felled in the box.

Wirtz blazed a chance over the crossbar when well positioned inside the box in the 95th minute as Leverkusen sought desperately a late goal that has become a trademark of the side over the last season.

It did not come, however, as both sides were forced to settle for a point.

AFP

Related Topics:Champions League Leverkusen

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Sports

EPL: Rooney Names Team To Win Title

Published

14 hours ago

May 5, 2026

Editor

Former Manchester United striker, Wayne Rooney, has said Arsenal will go on to win the Premier League title, after Manchester City dropped points against Everton.

City were held to a 3-3 draw at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night.

The result means Pep Guardiola’s men are now five points behind Arsenal, but they have one game in hand.

Rooney believes the Gunners will beat West Ham this weekend and go on to be champions.

He said on BBC Sport: “No, I’m concerned for West Ham. I just think Arsenal are efficient and professional.

“I just think they will win every game. So obviously, with the result tonight, that means they will win the league.”

Sports

UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

Published

2 days ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

“If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

“You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

Sports

Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

Published

6 days ago

April 30, 2026

Editor

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

“His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

“We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

“Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

“We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.