Thiago Alcantara has retired from football after leaving Liverpool at the end of his contract. The former Spain midfielder, 33, was restricted to just one appearance during the 2023-24 season because of injury. Thiago had hip surgery towards the end of the 2022-23 season but was unable to return until February 2024, when he came on as a late substitute in a defeat at Arsenal and suffered another injury.
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Bayern Munich have appointed Vincent Kompany as their new head coach on a three-year deal. The Belgian, 38, succeeds Thomas Tuchel and leaves Burnley for the Bundesliga side after the two clubs agreed a compensation fee, believed to be in the region of €12m. His appointment comes after a prolonged process to find a replacement for Tuchel after several high profile managers turned down offers to take charge of the Bavarian giants.
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Real Madrid snatched an incredible semi-final victory as two late goals defeated Bayern Munich and set up a Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund. Bayern looked to be heading to the final when Alphonso Davies cut in and blasted past Andriy Lunin but Joselu grabbed an 88th-minute equaliser and two minutes later swept home from six yards out to complete a stunning comeback.
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Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid came away with a draw in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final tie with Bayern Munich. The Brazilian took advantage of two errors from Bayern defender Kim Min-jae – beating him for the opener and converting a penalty he conceded. Leroy Sane and Harry Kane had fired Bayern into a second half lead but Madrid hold the advantage ahead of the second leg.
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Arsenal made a bitterly disappointing exit from the Champions League as they were beaten by Bayern Munich in a euphoric atmosphere at Allianz Arena. Joshua Kimmich’s powerful 63rd-minute header from Raphael Guerreiro’s cross was enough to send the Germans through to the semi-finals 3-2 on aggregate after the two teams had drawn 2-2 in London in the first leg.
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