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Harry Kane and Bayern Head to Lazio Needing to Bounce Back After Leverkusen Loss 

Bayern's Leroy Sane covers his face besides Harry Kane after the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP)
Bayern's Leroy Sane covers his face besides Harry Kane after the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP)
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Harry Kane and Bayern Head to Lazio Needing to Bounce Back After Leverkusen Loss 

Bayern's Leroy Sane covers his face besides Harry Kane after the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP)
Bayern's Leroy Sane covers his face besides Harry Kane after the German Bundesliga soccer match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and FC Bayern Munich at the BayArena in Leverkusen, Germany, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024. (AP)

This was meant to be the year that Harry Kane finally won a trophy. The Champions League might be his best chance now.

Bayern Munich heads to Lazio in the round of 16 on Wednesday needing to bounce back after a 3-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen left it five points off the Bundesliga lead. Kane is on track to be a member of the first Bayern team since the 2011-12 season not to win the league.

Injuries are weighing Bayern down, coach Thomas Tuchel's tactics are in question and forward Thomas Müller questioned his teammates' mentality in the “nightmare” Leverkusen loss.

Kane has 24 Bundesliga goals already but never came close to a 25th on Saturday. He was shut out of the game as Bayern fell further behind the league leader. Bayern's attack was neutralized by Leverkusen and the entire team had just one shot on goal.

There are 13 games left and much can still happen, but Bayern's title hopes now rest on Leverkusen slipping up. Not so easy when Leverkusen is unbeaten in 31 games.

That makes Wednesday's game at Lazio all the more important.

The Italian team, eighth in Serie A, may not be the hardest opponent Bayern could have faced in the round of 16, but the pressure is on the players and coach to improve.

Left back Alphonso Davies, midfielder Konrad Laimer and forwards Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman all remain injured, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and right back Noussair Mazraoui were rested Monday before returning to training Tuesday ahead of traveling to Italy.

Tuchel defended his tactics after the decision to switch from a back four to a back three for the first time this season backfired. Leverkusen exploited space on Bayern's left flank, where Tuchel had deployed Sacha Boey, usually a right back.

Bayern's transfer strategy is also in question after Josip Stanišić, a Bayern right back on loan at Leverkusen, scored the first goal. The way Leverkusen overwhelmed the central midfield pairing of Aleksandar Pavlovic and Leon Goretzka was a reminder that Bayern's season might look different had the club's plans to sign Joao Palhinha from Fulham in September not collapsed at the last minute.

Kane reeled off a list of Bayern's attacking faults after the Leverkusen loss.

“In the final third we weren’t good in one-on-one battles, we weren’t good in duels. The final delivery wasn’t there today. So a really disappointing day with the ball,” Kane said.

Against Lazio, Kane and his teammates are under pressure to do better.

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Sports

Maresca Leaves Chelsea After Just 18 Months in Charge

Chelsea's Italian head coach Enzo Maresca reacts during the UEFA Champions League league phase day 6 football match between Atalanta Bergamo and Chelsea FC at Bergamo Stadium, in Bergamo on December 9, 2025. (AFP)
Chelsea's Italian head coach Enzo Maresca reacts during the UEFA Champions League league phase day 6 football match between Atalanta Bergamo and Chelsea FC at Bergamo Stadium, in Bergamo on December 9, 2025. (AFP)
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Maresca Leaves Chelsea After Just 18 Months in Charge

Chelsea's Italian head coach Enzo Maresca reacts during the UEFA Champions League league phase day 6 football match between Atalanta Bergamo and Chelsea FC at Bergamo Stadium, in Bergamo on December 9, 2025. (AFP)
Chelsea's Italian head coach Enzo Maresca reacts during the UEFA Champions League league phase day 6 football match between Atalanta Bergamo and Chelsea FC at Bergamo Stadium, in Bergamo on December 9, 2025. (AFP)

Enzo Maresca left his role as Chelsea head coach on Thursday after just 18 months in charge, the Premier League club announced.

The Italian's exit from Stamford Bridge comes with the club fifth in the Premier League table -- 15 points adrift of leaders Arsenal -- with one win in their last seven top-flight games.

"Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company," said a club statement.

Speculation about Maresca's position increased during Chelsea's poor run of recent results amid reports of a worsening relationship between the coach and the club's hierarchy.

"With key objectives still to play for across four competitions including qualification for Champions League football, Enzo and the club believe a change gives the team the best chance of getting the season back on track," Chelsea added.

Maresca did not attend the post-match press conference following a frantic 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on Tuesday, although his absence was attributed to illness.

The draw meant Chelsea had dropped 13 points at home from winning positions this season -- the bulk of the 15-point deficit between the Blues and Arsenal.

His decision to substitute Cole Palmer just after the hour mark during the Bournemouth game was booed by Chelsea fans.

Maresca has stood by comments made on December 13 after a league win at home to Everton when he said many people at Chelsea "didn't support me and the team".

He repeatedly refused to clarify the comments, although he insisted they were not an attack on the club's supporters.

The 45-year-old said the days leading up to the 2-0 victory over Everton were "the worst 48 hours" of his time at Chelsea.

Maresca's stock at Chelsea was high after the Blues beat Barcelona 3-0 in the Champions League in November.

- Man City talks -

But damaging defeats by Leeds, Atalanta and Villa increased the pressure on the Blues boss.

Maresca had also been linked as a potential successor to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola should he end his decade-long stay at the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season.

It has been reported that Maresca twice informed Chelsea of talks with City, where he previously worked as one of Guardiola's assistants, as his contract required him to reveal negotiations with other clubs.

Chelsea sit 13th in the Champions League table and are likely to miss out on direct qualification for the last 16 via a top-eight finish.

But they have progressed to the semi-finals of the League Cup, where they will face Arsenal over two legs.

Maresca's contract had been due to run until the summer of 2029, with a club option of a further year.

Chelsea won the UEFA Conference League and the Club World Cup in 2025 and Maresca also led them back into the Champions League via a fourth-placed finish in the Premier League in his only full season in charge.

"Thank you for everything, mister, and to your staff. For the work and the trust from day one, and for the memories," Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella posted on social media alongside pictures of the Spain international with Maresca.

The Blues return to action on Sunday at Manchester City, the first of nine fixtures across four competitions during a congested January schedule.

Liam Rosenior, the head coach of French club Strasbourg, owned by Chelsea's parent company BlueCo -- a consortium headed up by US billionaire businessman Todd Boehly -- is a candidate to replace Maresca despite the 41-year-old's lack of Premier League experience.

Former Barcelona head coach Xavi, Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner, Fulham's Marco Silva and Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola are other potential contenders for the job.

Sports

Hakimi, Salah and Osimhen Head Star-packed AFCON Last-16 Cast

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
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Hakimi, Salah and Osimhen Head Star-packed AFCON Last-16 Cast

Morocco's Achraf Hakimi gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)
Morocco's Achraf Hakimi gestures during the Africa Cup of Nations group A soccer match between Zambia and Morocco in Rabat, Morocco, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

A star-studded cast led by Achraf Hakimi, Mohamed Salah and Victor Osimhen switch to knockout fare from Saturday, when the Africa Cup of Nations resumes in Morocco.

Paris Saint-Germain defender Hakimi was crowned 2025 African player of the year in November. Liverpool attacker Salah and Galatasaray striker Osimhen were the runners-up.

After 36 matches spread across six groups, the 16 survivors from 24 hopefuls clash in eight second-round matches over four days.

Fit-again Hakimi is set to lead title favorites Morocco against Tanzania, Salah will captain Egypt against Benin and Osimhen-inspired Nigeria tackle Mozambique.

AFP Sport looks at the match-ups that will determine which nations advance to the quarter-finals, and move one step closer to a record $10 million (8.5 million euros) first prize.

Senegal v Sudan

Veteran Sadio Mane and Paris Saint-Germain 17-year-old Ibrahim Mbaye, in two appearances off the bench, have been among the stars as 2022 champions Senegal confirmed why they are among the favorites by winning Group D. Sudan, representing a country ravaged by civil war since 2023, reached the second round despite failing to score. Their only Group F win, against Equatorial Guinea, came via an own goal.

Mali v Tunisia

"If we carry on playing like this we will not go much further," warned Belgium-born Mali coach Tom Saintfiet after three Group A draws. Tunisia did well to hold Morocco, but were woeful against Nigeria until they trailed by three goals. The Carthage Eagles then scored twice and came close to equalizing.

Morocco v Tanzania

A mismatch on paper as Morocco, whose only previous title came 50 years ago, are 101 places above Tanzania in the world rankings. The east Africans ended a 45-year wait to get past the first round thanks to two draws. Morocco boast a potent strike force of Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid and Ayoub El Kaabi of Olympiacos. They have scored three goals each to share the Golden Boot lead with Algerian Riyad Mahrez.

South Africa v Cameroon

South Africa debuted in the AFCON 30 years ago by hammering Cameroon 3-0 in Johannesburg. It should be much closer when they meet a second time with only four places separating them in the world rankings. In pursuit of goals, South Africa will look to Oswin Appollis and Lyle Foster while 19-year-old Christian Kofane struck a stunning match-winner for Cameroon against Mozambique.

Egypt v Benin

Struggling to score for Liverpool this season, Salah has regained his appetite for goals in southern Morocco. He claimed match winners against Zimbabwe and South Africa to win Group B. Benin celebrated their first AFCON win 25 years after debuting by edging Botswana. The Cheetahs are a compact, spirited outfit led by veteran striker Steve Mounie, but lack punch up front.

Nigeria v Mozambique

Livewire Osimhen is a huge aerial threat and could have scored hat-tricks against Tanzania and Tunisia in Group C, but managed just one goal. Fellow former African player of the year Ademola Lookman has also impressed. Mozambique lost 3-0 in their previous AFCON meeting with the Super Eagles 16 years ago. It is likely to be tighter this time with striker Geny Catamo posing a threat for the Mambas (snakes).

Algeria v DR Congo

The clash of two former champions is potentially the match of the round. It is the only tie involving two European coaches -- Bosnian Vladimir Petkovic and Frenchman Sebastien Desabre. Algeria and Nigeria were the only teams to win all three group matches. Former Manchester City winger Mahrez has been an inspirational captain while scoring three times.

Ivory Coast v Burkina Faso

This is the only match featuring nations from the same region. Burkina Faso and defending champions Ivory Coast share a border in west Africa. Manchester United winger Amad Diallo was the only winner of two player-of-the-match awards in the group stage. The Ivorian now face impressive Burkinabe defenders Edmond Tapsoba and Issoufou Dayo.

Sports

After Waiting 36 Years, French Soccer Fans Finally Have a Capital City Derby again as PSG Faces PFC

Fireworks explode as Paris Saint-Germain's players parade on a bus on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on June 1, 2025, a day after PSG won the 2025 UEFA Champions League final football match against Inter Milan in Munich. (AFP)
Fireworks explode as Paris Saint-Germain's players parade on a bus on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on June 1, 2025, a day after PSG won the 2025 UEFA Champions League final football match against Inter Milan in Munich. (AFP)
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After Waiting 36 Years, French Soccer Fans Finally Have a Capital City Derby again as PSG Faces PFC

Fireworks explode as Paris Saint-Germain's players parade on a bus on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on June 1, 2025, a day after PSG won the 2025 UEFA Champions League final football match against Inter Milan in Munich. (AFP)
Fireworks explode as Paris Saint-Germain's players parade on a bus on the Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris on June 1, 2025, a day after PSG won the 2025 UEFA Champions League final football match against Inter Milan in Munich. (AFP)

It's taken quite some time, but the first capital city derby in French men's league soccer since 1990 takes place on Sunday when Paris Saint-Germain hosts Paris FC.

A very local derby, too, with PSG's Parc des Princes stadium literally across the street from PFC's new home ground — 44 meters away according to the Paris City Hall website.

After winning promotion last season, Paris FC changed stadium and now plays at Stade Jean-Bouin, which traditionally held rugby matches.

Sunday's contest pits the defending French and European champion against a side struggling in the top tier. PFC has lost half its games, and was 14th in the 18-team league heading into this weekend's 17th round.

PFC's top scorer this season is skillful midfielder Ilan Kebbal with six goals, more than any PSG player. But he is away with Algeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.

PSG has coped with injuries to star forwards Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué this season. That might have affected results because, for a change, PSG is not top but in second spot behind surprise leader Lens. Heading into Sunday's derby, PSG had already lost two league games, as many defeats as all last season.

While PSG has won a record 13 French league titles and 16 French Cups, PFC's trophy cabinet is bare. The PFC men's team has never won the league or even a cup.

Paris FC's takeover late last year by France's richest family, the Arnaults of luxury empire LVMH, promised to spice up Ligue 1.

Paris FC owner Antoine Arnault is the son of billionaire Bernard Arnault, and the family's cash input will prove crucial to the chances of PFC becoming a serious rival to PSG. Antoine used to be a PSG season-ticket holder and enjoys a cordial relationship with PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaïfi.

Before this season, PSG’s previous city rival was Matra Racing, which became Racing Paris 1 and beat PSG in the last men’s league derby in Paris in 1990. Antoine won't have to wait so long for another derby, because PSG is hosting PFC in the French Cup's last 32 on Jan. 12.

Fleeting rivalries, stadium shares

Parisian soccer history can be a bit confusing.

Paris FC men's team was created in 1969 and merged with Stade Saint-Germain to form Paris Saint-Germain, or PSG, in 1970.

The merger ended abruptly in 1972 with PSG losing its professional status and PFC staying in division 1, and playing at Parc des Princes. PSG kept the name and returned to play at the stadium in 1974 after winning promotion back to the top flight, coinciding with PFC's relegation.

Matra Racing was only briefly on the scene.

Matra spent a few seasons in the French top flight — sharing the Parc des Princes stadium — but the club faded after French media baron Jean-Luc Lagardère withdrew his backing in 1989. Matra was relegated the following year, when it was called Racing Paris 1, despite beating PSG in the derby.

Red Star's ambition

There may be more local derbies in the capital next season, with Red Star chasing promotion from Ligue 2.

Red Star is based in the northern suburbs of Paris and is second in Ligue 2. The team has long been respected for being close to its working-class fans in the Saint-Ouen-sur-Seine suburb.

Home games are played at the 5,600-capacity Stade Bauer, which has stands selling food right outside the entrance gates. Red Star’s down-to-earth image has remained the same for decades, with the club becoming increasingly trendy and attracting a new section of fans appreciating its old-school ways.

Plans are in place to increase capacity to 10,000 next year and the club says it hopes to have 80% of homegrown local players in the first team by 2030.

Founded in 1897, Red Star is among the oldest clubs in France. It has a famous founder in Jules Rimet, the longest-serving president in FIFA history (1921-54), and the World Cup trophy was named after him.

Red Star's period of success was after World War I, with the club winning four French Cups in the 1920s.