Match story
- Bayer Leverkusen fired more attempts (27 vs 8 shots).
- Bayer Leverkusen was more accurate in front of goal (33% on target vs 25%).
- Bayer Leverkusen held more of the ball (71% possession).
Bayer Leverkusen and SC Freiburg drew 1-1 in Bundesliga. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 12 stage in the 2019 season. The match was played at BayArena in Leverkusen. D. Aytekin officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Bayer Leverkusen vs SC Freiburg meeting in Bundesliga with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Bayer Leverkusen and SC Freiburg. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
BundesligaRecorded meetings: 10 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
Bayer Leverkusen and SC Freiburg drew 1-1 in Bundesliga. The fixture is part of the Regular Season - 12 stage in the 2019 season. The match was played at BayArena in Leverkusen. D. Aytekin officiated the match. The full-time result capped a Bayer Leverkusen vs SC Freiburg meeting in Bundesliga with detailed post-match statistics available on Sportra. This match centre covers lineups, live events, player ratings, team statistics, xG, head-to-head history, and related news for Bayer Leverkusen and SC Freiburg. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
BundesligaRecorded meetings: 10 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
"Personally, it didn’t affect me all that much. Balogun is an important player for us and for the team. Looking back, though, something like that shouldn’t happen. A red card is a red card and it should stand. I don’t know who exerted how much influence in the situation. But when there is a suspension following a red card, you shouldn’t go back afterward, reopen the discussion and change the decision." — U.S. midfielder Malik Tillman, reflecting on Folarin Balogun's lifted red-card suspension at the 2026 World Cup in an interview with the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. The post What They’re Saying: Malik Tillman appeared first on Soccer America.
Chelsea have imposed a strict deadline for Enzo Fernandez’s transfer (PA Wire) Chelsea have told Manchester City that they need to reach an agreement to sign Enzo Fernandez for £120 million by 5pm on Friday, according to reports. City have identified Fernandez as their next marquee midfield signing after completing a £116m deal for Elliot Anderson earlier this summer. Enzo Maresca also faces the prospect of losing Rodri after Barcelona submitted an improved £51.3m [€60m] for Spain’s World Cup-winning captain this week. According to The Athletic, Chelsea are not prepared to wait on City and have informed their Premier League rivals that their £120m asking price for Fernandez will only hold until 5pm on Friday afternoon. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The report claims that Chelsea will keep Fernandez at Stamford Bridge if City are unable to reach an agreement before their deadline. Fernandez had a strong relationship with Maresca during their time together at Chelsea and speaking in March, the Argentine criticised the club over the Italian’s sudden exit. Enzo Fernandez had a strong relationship with Enzo Maresca during their time together at Chelsea (AP) ‘I don’t understand it either,’ Fernandez told Mexican broadcaster TUDN. ‘Sometimes there are things that we as players don’t understand, how and in what way they try to manage things. ‘Obviously, it was a departure that hurt us a lot because we had an identity. He gave us an order, even though, as is the way of football, sometimes it’s good and bad. ‘But he always had a very clear identity when it came to training and playing, and obviously his departure hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season, it cuts everything short.’ Speaking last month, Xabi Alonso made it clear that he wants Fernandez to remain at Chelsea. ‘Yes we have spoken. But as you can imagine what we have spoken remains private,’ Alonso said. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
PSG and Aston Villa face off in a blockbuster 2026 UEFA Super Cup final. Find out the confirmed lineups for this huge match here. Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa meet for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, kicking off the European season before either side has played a domestic match. The clash goes ahead at the Stadion Salzburg in Austria, with kickoff set for 3:00 p.m. ET. Both clubs earned their place in Salzburg as continental champions. PSG lifted the Champions League after beating Arsenal on penalties in the final, while Aston Villa claimed the Europa League with a 3-0 win over SC Freiburg. Fitness will play a major role in how both managers set up. PSG entered the match with several key names — including Achraf Hakimi, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Fabián Ruiz, Lucas Hernández and Warren Zaïre-Emery — all listed as doubtful, yet some of them will play either from the start or from the Bench. Aston Villa, meanwhile, will be without Leon Bailey, Chrislain Manzambi and André Onana entirely, while Emiliano Martínez, Ezri Konsa, and Ollie Watkins are all ruled out, as they are resting after their World Cup campaigns. Paris Saint-Germain 🆚 Aston Villa in Salzburg…⚽️ 21:00 CET, Wednesday 12 August 2026#SuperCup pic.twitter.com/KO8NY2P5RZ— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 10, 2026 PSG confirmed lineup With so many first-choice options unavailable, Luis Enrique is expected to lean on a mix of squad depth and academy talent behind a settled backline. The confirmed XI (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Akliouche, Doue, Kvaratskhelia. Aston Villa confirmed lineup With Martínez out for the game, Marco Bizot will start between the posts, while Brian Madjo will take the attack in place of Watkins. The projected XI (4-3-3): Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes, Hemmings; Buendia, McGinn, and Madjo.
Arsenal have been handed encouragement in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane, with the player’s agent claiming Mikel Arteta is a major admirer of the highly rated 20-year-old. Kofane enjoyed a breakout season in Germany, producing five goals and four assists in the Bundesliga and impressing Arsenal directly during their Champions League meetings […] The post Agent confirms Arsenal are in “pole position” to complete £85m striker signing appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Plus: players whose names appear in their clubs, big leaps and the top tier short of title-winning managersMail us with your all of your questions and answers“Which footballer has played for the most clubs?” asks Paul Gage.Surprisingly, throughout the more than two decades of the Knowledge, this question has not been answered before. But, fear not, it will be now.Arsenal: Alan Sunderland, Tony Alexander AdamsChelsea: Michael Essien; Ruben Ira Loftus-CheekCeltic: Carlton Michael ColeLeeds: Eddie LewisLeicester: Kasper Peter SchmeichelWest Ham: Matthew UpsonBen Barnett (Barnet) 1993-94Lewis Bradford (Bradford City) 1940sArthur Blackburn (Blackburn Rovers) 1899Ronnie Bolton (Bolton Wanderers) 1898Frank Burton (Burton Swifts) 1898Jimmy Shields (South Shields) 1961 Continue reading...
Florian Wirtz believes that he is "more ready" and "really excited" for his second season in the Premier League after settling in during his first campaign at Liverpool. Wirtz made the move from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £116m last summer and scored seven goals and provided 10 assists in what was an underwhelming campaign overall for Liverpool under Arne Slot.
Bayer Leverkusen have officially completed the signing of Argentina international Facundo Medina from Olympique Marseille, while their efforts to bring Moussa Diaby back to the Bundesliga now face ren...
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty) Former Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack can’t wrap his head around the Gunners’ decision to sign Illan Meslier from Leeds United earlier this summer. Meslier joined Arsenal on a free transfer in July after his contract at Leeds expired the previous month. The 26-year-old spent six seasons at Elland Road and made a total of 215 appearances in all competitions for the club, while helping the side win two promotions to the Premier League in 2020 and 2025. But Meslier found himself effectively frozen out by Daniel Farke last campaign, failing to make a single first-team appearance after dropping beneath Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow in the pecking order. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The Frenchman arrived at the Emirates to serve as a backup option behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga and made his debut against Girona in a pre-season friendly earlier this month. Meslier’s arrival looks set to force young keeper Tommy Setford out on loan before deadline day, an outcome which has not pleased former Arsenal shot-stopper Stack. ‘Look, he’s experienced, but it’s highly unlikely that you would use him,’ Stack told Metro via Lad Casino. ‘My question is, is there not another goalkeeper at Arsenal Football Club that’s capable of that? Illan Meslier arrived from Leeds United on a free transfer (Picture: Getty) ‘What are they doing at the club that they’re not producing any goalies? They just keep signing goalies. ‘At what point is there going to be an Arsenal goalkeeper that’s going to, not even break through, but I’m talking about being a number three.’ Stack also questioned why Meslier made the move to become a third-choice at such a young age, accusing the Frenchman of ‘throwing the towel in’. ‘I question him, I really do question the goalkeeper,’ he added. Tommy Setford (right) is set to leave on loan (Picture: Getty) ‘The reason I say that is that he’s got Premier League experience, he’s played countless games in the Premier League, he’s got bundles of experience, been at Leeds for I don’t know how many years. ‘He’s played loads of games, and maybe he doesn’t have that burning desire to go and play games and put himself under pressure. Maybe that’s what he’s after. ‘But I’m just surprised with someone of Meslier’s quality that he’s decided to almost chuck the towel in and be a number three.’ Alongside Meslier, Arsenal turned Piero Hincapie’s loan move from Bayer Leverkusen into a permanent deal, while Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes have joined from Club Brugge and Newcastle United, respectively. Bruno Guimaraes is Arsenal’s latest summer signing (Picture: PA) And while Arsenal are still eyeing up more signings at left wing and centre-back, Stack believes his former side are still heavy favourites to retain the league title this season. ‘Absolutely, Arsenal will win it,’ Stack said. ‘I think Arsenal will be buzzing after last year, and think it’s a situation now where it’s basically the monkey off their back. ‘They will be going into the season absolutely buzzing, and with the signing of Guimaraes and probably more to come between now and the start of the season, I think they will definitely strengthen. ‘The only concern would be how fatigued some of the players might be after Christmas in the crunch end of the season, when there are so many games in the league, domestic competitions and the Champions League, especially after a summer World Cup. ‘Rotating the squad is going to be key this season, so stopping players getting fatigued and looking tired just requires a big enough squad to make the changes and rotate players effectively. Just keep freshening it up. ‘I fancy Arsenal to go and win it, but I think that it will be a close-run race with Man City, I think City will be close behind them.’ For more stories like this, check our sport
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
"Personally, it didn’t affect me all that much. Balogun is an important player for us and for the team. Looking back, though, something like that shouldn’t happen. A red card is a red card and it should stand. I don’t know who exerted how much influence in the situation. But when there is a suspension following a red card, you shouldn’t go back afterward, reopen the discussion and change the decision." — U.S. midfielder Malik Tillman, reflecting on Folarin Balogun's lifted red-card suspension at the 2026 World Cup in an interview with the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. The post What They’re Saying: Malik Tillman appeared first on Soccer America.
Chelsea have imposed a strict deadline for Enzo Fernandez’s transfer (PA Wire) Chelsea have told Manchester City that they need to reach an agreement to sign Enzo Fernandez for £120 million by 5pm on Friday, according to reports. City have identified Fernandez as their next marquee midfield signing after completing a £116m deal for Elliot Anderson earlier this summer. Enzo Maresca also faces the prospect of losing Rodri after Barcelona submitted an improved £51.3m [€60m] for Spain’s World Cup-winning captain this week. According to The Athletic, Chelsea are not prepared to wait on City and have informed their Premier League rivals that their £120m asking price for Fernandez will only hold until 5pm on Friday afternoon. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The report claims that Chelsea will keep Fernandez at Stamford Bridge if City are unable to reach an agreement before their deadline. Fernandez had a strong relationship with Maresca during their time together at Chelsea and speaking in March, the Argentine criticised the club over the Italian’s sudden exit. Enzo Fernandez had a strong relationship with Enzo Maresca during their time together at Chelsea (AP) ‘I don’t understand it either,’ Fernandez told Mexican broadcaster TUDN. ‘Sometimes there are things that we as players don’t understand, how and in what way they try to manage things. ‘Obviously, it was a departure that hurt us a lot because we had an identity. He gave us an order, even though, as is the way of football, sometimes it’s good and bad. ‘But he always had a very clear identity when it came to training and playing, and obviously his departure hurt us a lot, especially in the middle of the season, it cuts everything short.’ Speaking last month, Xabi Alonso made it clear that he wants Fernandez to remain at Chelsea. ‘Yes we have spoken. But as you can imagine what we have spoken remains private,’ Alonso said. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source
PSG and Aston Villa face off in a blockbuster 2026 UEFA Super Cup final. Find out the confirmed lineups for this huge match here. Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa meet for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup, kicking off the European season before either side has played a domestic match. The clash goes ahead at the Stadion Salzburg in Austria, with kickoff set for 3:00 p.m. ET. Both clubs earned their place in Salzburg as continental champions. PSG lifted the Champions League after beating Arsenal on penalties in the final, while Aston Villa claimed the Europa League with a 3-0 win over SC Freiburg. Fitness will play a major role in how both managers set up. PSG entered the match with several key names — including Achraf Hakimi, Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Fabián Ruiz, Lucas Hernández and Warren Zaïre-Emery — all listed as doubtful, yet some of them will play either from the start or from the Bench. Aston Villa, meanwhile, will be without Leon Bailey, Chrislain Manzambi and André Onana entirely, while Emiliano Martínez, Ezri Konsa, and Ollie Watkins are all ruled out, as they are resting after their World Cup campaigns. Paris Saint-Germain 🆚 Aston Villa in Salzburg…⚽️ 21:00 CET, Wednesday 12 August 2026#SuperCup pic.twitter.com/KO8NY2P5RZ— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 10, 2026 PSG confirmed lineup With so many first-choice options unavailable, Luis Enrique is expected to lean on a mix of squad depth and academy talent behind a settled backline. The confirmed XI (4-3-3): Safonov; Hakimi, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Zaire-Emery, Vitinha, Neves; Akliouche, Doue, Kvaratskhelia. Aston Villa confirmed lineup With Martínez out for the game, Marco Bizot will start between the posts, while Brian Madjo will take the attack in place of Watkins. The projected XI (4-3-3): Bizot; Cash, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen; Kamara, Gomes, Hemmings; Buendia, McGinn, and Madjo.
Arsenal have been handed encouragement in their pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen striker Christian Kofane, with the player’s agent claiming Mikel Arteta is a major admirer of the highly rated 20-year-old. Kofane enjoyed a breakout season in Germany, producing five goals and four assists in the Bundesliga and impressing Arsenal directly during their Champions League meetings […] The post Agent confirms Arsenal are in “pole position” to complete £85m striker signing appeared first on CaughtOffside.
Plus: players whose names appear in their clubs, big leaps and the top tier short of title-winning managersMail us with your all of your questions and answers“Which footballer has played for the most clubs?” asks Paul Gage.Surprisingly, throughout the more than two decades of the Knowledge, this question has not been answered before. But, fear not, it will be now.Arsenal: Alan Sunderland, Tony Alexander AdamsChelsea: Michael Essien; Ruben Ira Loftus-CheekCeltic: Carlton Michael ColeLeeds: Eddie LewisLeicester: Kasper Peter SchmeichelWest Ham: Matthew UpsonBen Barnett (Barnet) 1993-94Lewis Bradford (Bradford City) 1940sArthur Blackburn (Blackburn Rovers) 1899Ronnie Bolton (Bolton Wanderers) 1898Frank Burton (Burton Swifts) 1898Jimmy Shields (South Shields) 1961 Continue reading...
Florian Wirtz believes that he is "more ready" and "really excited" for his second season in the Premier League after settling in during his first campaign at Liverpool. Wirtz made the move from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £116m last summer and scored seven goals and provided 10 assists in what was an underwhelming campaign overall for Liverpool under Arne Slot.
Bayer Leverkusen have officially completed the signing of Argentina international Facundo Medina from Olympique Marseille, while their efforts to bring Moussa Diaby back to the Bundesliga now face ren...
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta (Picture: Getty) Former Arsenal goalkeeper Graham Stack can’t wrap his head around the Gunners’ decision to sign Illan Meslier from Leeds United earlier this summer. Meslier joined Arsenal on a free transfer in July after his contract at Leeds expired the previous month. The 26-year-old spent six seasons at Elland Road and made a total of 215 appearances in all competitions for the club, while helping the side win two promotions to the Premier League in 2020 and 2025. But Meslier found himself effectively frozen out by Daniel Farke last campaign, failing to make a single first-team appearance after dropping beneath Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow in the pecking order. Get the latest transfer news every morning Sign up to our daily football newsletter for personalised updates on who your team is trying to sign and who won't be around next season. The Frenchman arrived at the Emirates to serve as a backup option behind David Raya and Kepa Arrizabalaga and made his debut against Girona in a pre-season friendly earlier this month. Meslier’s arrival looks set to force young keeper Tommy Setford out on loan before deadline day, an outcome which has not pleased former Arsenal shot-stopper Stack. ‘Look, he’s experienced, but it’s highly unlikely that you would use him,’ Stack told Metro via Lad Casino. ‘My question is, is there not another goalkeeper at Arsenal Football Club that’s capable of that? Illan Meslier arrived from Leeds United on a free transfer (Picture: Getty) ‘What are they doing at the club that they’re not producing any goalies? They just keep signing goalies. ‘At what point is there going to be an Arsenal goalkeeper that’s going to, not even break through, but I’m talking about being a number three.’ Stack also questioned why Meslier made the move to become a third-choice at such a young age, accusing the Frenchman of ‘throwing the towel in’. ‘I question him, I really do question the goalkeeper,’ he added. Tommy Setford (right) is set to leave on loan (Picture: Getty) ‘The reason I say that is that he’s got Premier League experience, he’s played countless games in the Premier League, he’s got bundles of experience, been at Leeds for I don’t know how many years. ‘He’s played loads of games, and maybe he doesn’t have that burning desire to go and play games and put himself under pressure. Maybe that’s what he’s after. ‘But I’m just surprised with someone of Meslier’s quality that he’s decided to almost chuck the towel in and be a number three.’ Alongside Meslier, Arsenal turned Piero Hincapie’s loan move from Bayer Leverkusen into a permanent deal, while Christos Tzolis and Bruno Guimaraes have joined from Club Brugge and Newcastle United, respectively. Bruno Guimaraes is Arsenal’s latest summer signing (Picture: PA) And while Arsenal are still eyeing up more signings at left wing and centre-back, Stack believes his former side are still heavy favourites to retain the league title this season. ‘Absolutely, Arsenal will win it,’ Stack said. ‘I think Arsenal will be buzzing after last year, and think it’s a situation now where it’s basically the monkey off their back. ‘They will be going into the season absolutely buzzing, and with the signing of Guimaraes and probably more to come between now and the start of the season, I think they will definitely strengthen. ‘The only concern would be how fatigued some of the players might be after Christmas in the crunch end of the season, when there are so many games in the league, domestic competitions and the Champions League, especially after a summer World Cup. ‘Rotating the squad is going to be key this season, so stopping players getting fatigued and looking tired just requires a big enough squad to make the changes and rotate players effectively. Just keep freshening it up. ‘I fancy Arsenal to go and win it, but I think that it will be a close-run race with Man City, I think City will be close behind them.’ For more stories like this, check our sport
Tap a headline to view metadata and excerpt fields in Sportra, then use the article website button to continue on the original publisher page.
