Seb Stafford-Bloor

Dec 11, 2024 | nytimes.com | Seb Stafford-Bloor |Pol Ballús

Barcelona beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 in a chaotic game at the Westfalenstadion on Wednesday night. Raphinha put Hansi Flick's side ahead in the 52nd minute with a nerveless finish, before Serhou Guirassy equalised from the penalty spot in the 60th minute after a push from Pau Cubarsi.

Nov 25, 2024 | nytimes.com | Philip Buckingham |Seb Stafford-Bloor

A measure of the shifting cultural sands - both in football and its presentation - came in a press release distributed on Monday. The Baller League is what its organisers have optimistically called a "new era for football" led by YouTube stars KSI and IShowSpeed but, in the grasp for credibility, they have asked a 63-year-old along for the ride.

Apr 14, 2024 | theathletic.com | Rafa Honigstein |Seb Stafford-Bloor

Bayer Leverkusen 's time has finally arrived. A 5-0 win over Werder Bremen on Sunday confirmed that German football's eternal bridesmaids are now the country's champions. Leverkusen have broken Bayern Munich's 11-season hold on the Bundesliga and won the first league title in their 120-year history. Finally, after almost a quarter of a century, they are 'Neverkusen' no more. Leverkusen's season began high in the Austrian Alps, under the summer rain in Saalfelden.

Feb 22, 2024 | theathletic.com | Seb Stafford-Bloor

There will be a question that follows Harry Kane in retirement: What might he have done had he played in the right place and at the right time? So far in 2024, Bayern Munich have not been the right place. The German club's decision to release manager Thomas Tuchel from his contract at season's end seems unlikely to inspire a Bundesliga recovery. More likely, it will be a long, unsatisfying goodbye. For Kane, that will be familiar.

Jan 26, 2024 | theathletic.com | Seb Stafford-Bloor

Xabi Alonso says his focus is on Bayer Leverkusen amid the speculation that he could be Jurgen Klopp's successor at Liverpool. Klopp announced that he will leave Liverpool at the end of this season earlier today, while Alonso is revered at the Merseyside club having played 210 times for them between 2004 and 2009. "Speculation is normal," Alonso said. "What Jurgen has done in Liverpool I have a lot of respect for and great admiration for what he has done over the last few years.