Bayer Leverkusen defeated Zenit 1-2 in UEFA Champions League. The fixture is part of the Group stage - 4 stage in the 2014 season. The full-time result capped a Zenit vs Bayer Leverkusen meeting in UEFA Champions League 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 Zenit and Bayer Leverkusen. On Sportra you can view xG, lineups, match statistics, events, player ratings, predictions, head-to-head history, and related news for this fixture.
UEFA Champions LeagueRecorded meetings: 0 (available previous meetings, not necessarily all-time).
AC Milan have made their first move in an attempt to sign Bayer Leverkusen attacking midfielder Ibrahim Maza, according to Calciomercato.The Rossoneri opened talks with the Algeria international’s r...
In a recent report, Bild stated that Sunderland are showing interest in Bayer 04 Leverkusen wide player Ernest Poku. It has been mentioned that the Black Cats would have to pay €25m to get a deal do...
Despite failing to shine at the 2026 World Cup, Carlo Ancelotti has been reaffirmed as Brazil’s head coach. Ahead of the 2030 edition, he has announced the beginning of a new era, making it clear that he will strongly bet on young players. Brazil are coming off a major disappointment at the 2026 World Cup, being eliminated by Norway in the Round of 16. Despite this, they have decided to maintain their strong commitment to Carlo Ancelotti as their coach for the future. Ahead of the 2030 edition, he has already made an important change clear: A new era is beginning. With this, several veterans will end their time with the national team. “We will begin putting together a new team, looking at young players, but without ruling out some of the soccer players who were at the World Cup and who still have a lot to contribute to the national team,” Ancelotti revealed in a CBF statement. With this in mind, not only will Neymar Jr. leave Brazil, but also some other veterans, betting on young stars as his new project. Carlo Ancelotti could give prominence to Endrick and Rayan as the new future leaders of the attack, alongside Vinicius Jr. In addition, Ederson could have more importance as a defensive midfielder, as Casemiro could leave the project by moving to Inter Miami. However, the biggest changes could come in the full-back positions, as Brazil could bet on talent from the Brazilian league, since Danilo and Douglas Santos are already veterans. Amid the transformation of the project, Ancelotti could keep certain veterans such as Marquinhos, Alisson Becker, and Raphinha. Playing in top European leagues, they remain among the best players in their positions ahead of the 2028 Copa América. However, their presence at the 2030 World Cup would depend on their physical continuity and the level they demonstrate. Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Brazil, chats with his assistant coach Davide Ancelotti. Brazil’s scoring issues become Ancelotti’s biggest challenge Since Carlo Ancelotti’s arrival, Brazil have notably improved their game, solidifying their defense and midfield. With this, they have recovered their impact in CONMEBOL, becoming difficult to score against. However, the Canarinha still have a major problem to solve: The lack of attacking power. With this in mind, there are very few key pieces to redirect the project. Ahead of the 2030 World Cup, Brazil’s biggest hope would become Endrick. Despite still not managing to become a starter, he returns to Real Madrid looking to become a key figure in the future. If he becomes consistent, he could be the starting striker, as he has already shown he can be differential in the collective game and in his goalscoring ability. However, this scenario depends on his evolution throughout his professional career. Matheus Cunha is the favorite option in attack, as he was Ancelotti’s choice at the 2026 World Cup. However, he is not the most prolific goalscorer, so his differential role would be more as an attacking midfielder. Therefore, Igor Thiago seems to have a new opportunity to shine. After disappointing, he can fight in friendly matches to earn his starting spot. For this, he needs to maintain the great level he demonstrated in the Premier League.
Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed the sale of Argentine U20 international Alejo Sarco to Sporting Gijon. The 20-year-old departs the Bundesliga for a modest transfer fee of less than €1m, but Leverkus...
BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck and former Magpies defender John Anderson have been discussing the speculation around the future of Bruno Guimaraes after he told Newcastle United he wishes to explore a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal. And I think there will be a big difference between Newcastle's high, but quite rightly high, valuation of Bruno financially, and what Arsenal may or may not be prepared to pay.
Set to face England in the 2026 World Cup semifinal, Lionel Scaloni is reportedly set to make changes to Lionel Messi's Argentina XI, with two key doubts yet to be solved. Argentina are through to the 2026 World Cup semifinals after another unconvincing performance, this time against Switzerland, with Lionel Messi once again carrying the load. With England up next and a place in the final on the line, head coach Lionel Scaloni is reportedly planning changes to his starting lineup, with two positions in particular still up in the air. The 3-1 scoreline at Arrowhead Stadium was flattering. Argentina struggled for long stretches playing eleven against eleven, and it took Breel Embolo’s red card and an extra-time comeback to seal the result. England, ranked fourth in the FIFA Rankings, represent the toughest opponent Argentina have faced in the entire 2026 World Cup, and Scaloni appears to recognize that adjustments are necessary. On Monday, Argentina held their final training session in Kansas City at the Compass Mineral Center before departing for Atlanta. The AFA’s official report noted that the squad “focused on possession drills, recovery after turnovers, and attacking progression,” closing the session with small-sided games. Argentina to hold the system According to Diario Ole‘s Hernan Claus, an insider close to the Argentina national team, Scaloni has been working between a 4-3-3 and a 4-4-2, consistent with the formations used throughout the tournament. However, with the current group of starters struggling to find the right balance, the coach experimented with several personnel changes in key positions during Monday’s session. #SelecciónMayor ¡Llegamos a Atlanta! pic.twitter.com/loPvPZsjs3— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 14, 2026 Bayer Leverkusen’s Exequiel Palacios featured in the starting lineup for part of the training session, offering a ball-retention profile in midfield that Argentina lacked against Switzerland. Giuliano Simeone also got some minutes, providing a wider, more direct option down the flank as an alternative to the more technical Mac Allister-Fernandez-Paredes-De Paul setup Scaloni has favored. The right back position also saw rotation, with both Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel cycling through the role as they have done throughout the tournament, with neither player having done enough to make the spot their own. According to the Argentine outlet, nine players appear close to certain starters against England: Emiliano Martinez, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Lionel Messi, and Julian Alvarez. Of those who started against Switzerland, Rodrigo De Paul and Nahuel Molina appear most at risk of losing their places. Scaloni considering a 5-3-2 system? One of the more significant possibilities reported by Diario Ole is a switch to a 5-3-2 for the England semifinal. In Monday’s session, Scaloni trialed a back three of Nicolas Otamendi, Cristián Romero, and Lisandro Martinez, with Molina and Simeone as right wing backs, Tagliafico and Nicolas Gonzalez on the left, a midfield three of De Paul, Fernandez, and Mac Allister, and Messi and Alvarez as the two forwards. It would not be the first time Scaloni has made such a tactical shift under pressure, having deployed a similar approach in the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal against the Netherlands, a match Argentina controlled for long stretches despite finishing 2-2. The final decision is expected to come after Tuesday’s training session in Atlanta, but one thing already appears clear: Scaloni will not be sending out the same lineup that started against Egypt or Switzerland.
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