On Tuesday, the German team, Bayern Munich, tied with its English guest, Manchester City, 2-2, in the first round of the group stage of the European Women’s Champions League.
Julia Julen scored Bayern's lead goal in the 11th minute, and Dutch Kerstin Kaspareg added the second goal for the German team in the 28th minute.
Beth Mead, a former Arsenal player, succeeded in reducing the gap with the first goal for City in the 45th minute, and Jamaican Khadija Shaw wasted the opportunity to equalize for Manchester City in the 62nd minute, after missing a penalty kick.
In the 86th minute, German Carlotta Wamser, who arrived this summer from Bayer Leverkusen, succeeded in scoring the second goal for Manchester City to settle the tie as a result of the confrontation.
Each team won the first point in the current stage of the tournament, noting that Bayern will face Benfica of Portugal in the next round, while City will meet at home with Real Madrid of Spain.
In another match, the Italian team Inter Milan defeated its guest, Hekken Al-Suwaidi, with a score of 1-0.
Maltese Haley Bukega scored the only goal of the match in the fifth minute, after a pass from Spanish defender Sheila Gomez.
The Haken team played with a numerical disadvantage at the end of the match after player Jennifer Falk was sent off in the 89th minute.
Inter will play in the second round against Austria Vienna at the latter's stadium on October 1, while Heken will face the Italian team Juventus at home on September 30.
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Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne decided to continue playing internationally as long as he remains passionate about it, and stated that he did not think about withdrawing from the national team after the 2026 FIFA World Cup despite being the last player from the national team’s golden generation.
De Bruyne (35 years old) has played 124 international matches since his first participation with the national team as a teenager in 2010 under the leadership of George Leekins, and he is expected to add more matches to his tally under the leadership of Mark van Bommel, the new coach of Belgium.
The new era for the national team begins under Van Bommel's leadership by facing Italy in Rome, next Friday, followed by other matches in the European Nations League against France (two matches) and Turkey during the next three weeks.
In recent weeks, Axel Witsel retired from international football, and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was confirmed absent from the upcoming Nations League matches, but De Bruyne told reporters on Tuesday that he had never thought about leaving the national team now.
“The coach asked me what I wanted to do,” he said. My feeling after the World Cup was that I had enjoyed myself, and a number of players asked me to stay. I was also feeling good physically and still wanted to play. This is the most important motivation. “And as long as I still have that drive, why shouldn’t I keep going?”
De Bruyne did not feel the need for arrangements like the one Courtois made by temporarily moving away from the Nations League.
De Bruyne said: “There will come a day when I say I no longer need this, but this matter does not concern me at the moment. “I really think these two years will be my last two years,” but he added: “I feel fine now; "So we'll see."
De Bruyne said that he was impressed by the new coach, Van Bommel, and said: “A typical Dutchman, very direct in his dealings. "I like that. He's someone who tells things like they are."
The Napoli midfielder added: “We now have to try to make a good start, and after 4 matches we will know what we can achieve.” I think my level is very good. I am completely satisfied with the way I play. I was surprised at how fit I was when I returned in August and how strong my performance was. Now played 3 consecutive 90 minute matches. If I can continue like this, that would be great for me. It's very positive. My level compared to what it was 10 years ago? “There is a difference, but this is also normal.”
Lamine Yamal, the star of Barcelona and the Spanish national team, believes that the Golden Ball award for the best player in the world should be given to the player who entertains the fans, and for whom they follow the matches.
Yamal stated that he relied on his playing style, more than his statistics and the titles he achieved, to win this prestigious award.
In this regard, the Spanish star said in an interview with the French newspaper “L’Equipe”: “The Golden Ball is an award given to the best player, that is, the exceptional player for whom the match is watched, and this is the basis, that he be an exceptional player.”
He added: "The matter should not be related to the number of goals or any other considerations. When I think of the Ballon d'Or, I think of players like Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, and the enjoyable performances they give."
He added: "All football followers are well aware of my strengths. I go on the field to have fun and perform well in my own style. I am lucky to win many titles with Barcelona, and I achieved the most important title with Spain by winning the World Cup."
He added: “But I see that my playing style is my strongest characteristic, and what distinguishes me from the rest of the candidates.”
He stressed that “the combination of individual and collective achievements makes me a strong candidate. It is an important factor, in addition to being a good player. The best is the one who leads his team to victories and titles, because victories are in everyone’s interest.”
Lamine Yamal concluded by saying: “I thank God that I have achieved victories and titles with Barcelona and the Spanish national team recently. I am happy with that, and I look forward to continuing to achieve achievements, and I also feel extremely happy on a personal level.”
